Chapter 39:

Xuechen Xie’s expression darkened as well. He tightened his grip on Xuanling Mu’s hand, turning around without a word to leave.

Boss She had long been infatuated with Xuechen Xie and seldom displayed such eagerness to please anyone. However, the other party’s indifference infuriated her. Her pupils narrowed, transforming into crimson vertical slits, while a dense aura of demonic energy emanated from her body. Simultaneously, a towering figure blocked Xuechen Xie’s path.

It was a black bear demon (yaojing), standing eight feet tall with fists the size of a human head, its muscles bulging and its presence terrifying.

“No one just comes and goes as they please from my shop!” Boss She hissed, her eyes flashing with menace, her curly hair rustling without wind, like wriggling little snakes. “Xiongao, beat them half to death. Give me the jiesidai (treasure bag) and the man. The half-yao is yours.”

The black bear demon, known as Xiongao, bared its teeth in a savage grin. “This half-demon looks quite delicious too…”

The yao inside the shop watched the scene with amusement, seemingly unfazed. The previous fox yao even mockingly remarked, “Boss She is so soft-hearted, she’s reluctant to kill them.”

“Xiongao’s punch could shatter a Golden Core cultivator’s body. Keeping them alive and intact won’t be easy,” another demon laughed.

Xuechen Xie’s expression remained indifferent, unmoved by the threats before him. He stepped back three paces, pushing Xuanling in front of Xiongao and said calmly, “You deal with her.”

Xuanling was startled and turned to look at Xuechen.

Xuechen waved his hand to release her mouth, and immediately heard Xuanling exclaim, “Why won’t you fight?”

Xuechen replied, “If I fight, it will alert the Demon King. This bear demon isn’t strong. You can handle him easily.”

Xuanling’s chest heaved as she suppressed her anger. “Why should I listen to you?! You kidnapped me, and now you expect me to be your fighter?”

Xuechen hesitated slightly, “Since you’re unwilling, I won’t force you.”

As he said this, he reached toward Xuanling’s lips again. Seeing this, Xuanling hurriedly covered her mouth and stepped back, exclaiming, “I’ll do it!”

Xuechen smiled slightly and nodded, “I’ll be watching you.”

Enraged, Xuanling turned to face Xiongao, who was equally furious. The two were speaking as if he didn’t even exist! He exhaled sharply, his eyes gleaming with murderous intent. Gradually raising his right hand, he clenched it into a fist, demonic energy swirling around it and manifesting as black flames. A terrifying pressure engulfed the entire inn, forcing the other demons to shift expressions and quickly retreat into defensive postures.

“Xiongao must have gained some opportunity; he’s much stronger than last year. He might make a name for himself in this Grand Competition.”

“His cultivation method is extremely fierce and powerful. It’s difficult for demons of the same realm to defeat him.”

Whispers drifted from the corner. Xiongao grinned, his massive fist suddenly hurtling toward Xuanling.

Demonic energy rippled, lifting the strands of black hair at Xuanling’s temples. Her expression grew solemn. She raised both hands, crossing them before her chest as spiritual energy surged from her palms, forming a radiant shield.

The colossal fist, like a crumbling mountain, crashed against the barrier—yet failed to advance even an inch. Sensing the overwhelming force, Xuanling’s brow furrowed slightly. With a mere thought, *Duan Nian* (Severing Thought) materialized midair. A razor-sharp whip lashed toward Xiongao’s face with thunderous fury, its strike even more terrifying than his own devastating punch!

Xiongao retracted his fist and raised his arm to block Duan Nian. The two differently colored spiritual energies clashed violently. After a brief moment of stillness, the black demonic flames were cleaved apart by the purple whip, striking Xiongao’s face with a crack. A deep gash tore down to the bone, and blood sprayed out!

Xiongao knelt on the ground, crying out in pain, one eye blinded, emitting a heart-wrenching scream.

Boss She, who had been smiling, suddenly changed her expression, her breathing growing heavy. She narrowed her vertical pupils as her demonic aura intensified. Her long legs transformed into a thick, powerful serpent’s tail, adorned with crimson scales and golden patterns. Her true form was that of a Golden Thread Red-Banded Snake—a highly venomous creature with a lustful and murderous nature. Having cultivated for five to seven hundred years, her strength surpassed even Xiongao’s, nearly reaching the level of a Demon King. Otherwise, she would never have been able to run a black-market inn in such a lawless place.

Xuechen Xie had just arrived at Qiongju Island for the first time and was unaware of the situation. Boss She mistakenly took Xuechen for an ordinary Golden Core wandering cultivator. After being ignored, she harbored malicious intentions and ordered her subordinate Xiongao to attack, intending to rob him of his treasures and his body. However, she never expected that the half-demon she had kidnapped would unleash astonishing power.

Something was wrong!

Boss She was stunned, suddenly recalling that Xuanling had clearly used spiritual energy earlier. How could a half-demon possess spiritual energy? Could she be a human cultivator?

Her strength was above Xiongao’s, so the cultivator who had kidnapped her must be even stronger.

She stared fixedly at Xuechen. This white-robed cultivator outwardly seemed only slightly stronger than a Golden Core. If he had hidden his true cultivation and she couldn’t see through his true power, there was only one possibility—that his strength was above hers…

Boss She began to sweat coldly. Above her? Could he be a human Nascent Soul cultivator?

Among the human cultivators, there were indeed some Nascent Soul wandering cultivators, but they were all well-known figures. She couldn’t recall any Nascent Soul cultivator who matched the appearance of this handsome man. She still held onto a glimmer of hope—if he wasn’t a Nascent Soul cultivator, she might be able to incite the other demons present to stop him.

Her eyes flickered, turning toward Xuanling—this one she could handle. As Boss She thought this, her thick snake tail swept toward Xuanling. However, Xuechen had already sensed her intention. With a light flick of his right sleeve, a sharp gale, like countless blades, slashed toward the snake tail. The Golden Thread Red-Banded Snake’s scales were the hardest, but this gale struck the tail, actually tearing off several red scales, blood spraying out. Boss She cried out in pain, staring in disbelief at the man before her.

This person was definitely a Nascent Soul cultivator. She had been careless and provoked such a figure!

Boss She regretted in her heart, but Nascent Soul cultivators were always proud. She had offended him beyond redemption, and begging for mercy now would be useless. She had no choice but to kill him by any means necessary!

“This is the territory of demons. Human cultivators have no right to stir up trouble here!” Boss She roared. “Attack together! Kill this human cultivator, and I’ll reward you with my Golden Thread Demon Blood!”

Her Golden Thread contained potent demonic power (yao li), which greatly aided demon (yao) cultivation. Upon hearing this, the demons grew envious. They could only sense Xuechen’s Golden Core aura, while the half-demon was clearly hiding and not worth their concern. Stirred by Boss She’s provocation, they eagerly charged toward Xuechen.

Just as Xuechen was about to summon his Jun Tian Sword, a fierce gust of wind suddenly burst open the inn’s door, and a tall, lean man strode in slowly. Clad in a black robe, his face was icy and severe, with a savage scar running from his temple to his jaw on his left cheek, giving him a terrifying appearance. The demons instantly noticed the crimson Vermilion Phoenix emblem on his chest, and their expressions shifted dramatically.

“It’s someone from Lingju Island, a Vermilion Phoenix cultivator with a scar. He’s Jiang Li,” a demon whispered.

All cultivators from Ling Ju Island bore the Vermilion Phoenix totem on their chests, but the colors varied, representing differences in strength and authority within the sect, from top to bottom: Vermilion, Purple, Blue, and Black. A Vermilion Phoenix cultivator, even if not a Nascent Soul, was at least half a Nascent Soul, second only to He Xianwo within the sect, either a senior elder or a guest elder.

“I smell the scent of a battle here,” the black-robed Vermilion Phoenix cultivator coldly surveyed the surroundings, his gaze falling on Xuechen. “The Island Master has decreed that during the Grand Competition, harmony must be upheld, and demons are forbidden from harming human cultivators in private.”

Lingju Island held immense prestige in the Eastern Sea, where even the Demon Kings treated He Xianwo with courtesy and respect. The Grand Competition was a major event for demons, but given their inherently unruly nature, maintaining order during the event was extremely challenging, let alone ensuring the safety of wandering cultivators.

Lingju Island had an agreement with the Demon Kings: the island would assist in hosting the Grand Competition but strictly prohibit demons from harming human cultivators. With the backing of the Five Sects of the Immortal Alliance and the Demon Kings’ endorsement to enforce order, neither humans nor demons dared to defy Lingju Island’s authority.

Moreover, the one who had arrived in person was a Vermilion Phoenix cultivator.

Boss She endured the pain and retracted her snake tail, her legs bleeding, but she forced a smile onto her face. “Master Jiang, it’s a misunderstanding. This cultivator wanted to stay here, and I was more than happy to welcome him.”

Jiang Li didn’t respond to her; he only looked at Xuechen.

Xuechen nodded slightly. “That’s right.”

Upon hearing his words, Boss She immediately felt relieved, knowing that the other party had no intention of pursuing the matter. Whether it was fighting this enigmatic wandering cultivator or being questioned by Jiang Li, both were life-and-death matters.

“I’ll arrange a room right away,” Boss She said with a smile.

Now, not only was she willing to leave an empty room, she would even give the entire inn to him.

Jiang Li glanced at Xiongao, who was leaning to one side with blood streaming down his face. He had a certain guess about the human cultivator’s strength—perhaps he didn’t even need to intervene.

Jiang Li addressed Xuechen. “I am a cultivator from Ling Ju Island, Jiang Li. If you encounter any difficulties on the island, you may come to me at Coral Residence.”

Xuechen nodded slightly. “Thank you.”

He did not reveal his identity, and Jiang Li knew he was intentionally concealing it, so he didn’t ask further questions and silently left the inn.

Xuanling’s gaze returned from the man’s back, teasingly saying, “Master Xie, you’re quite the chivalrous type, sparing that snake demon and wanting to stay at this inn?”

Hearing her name called, Boss She stiffened her shoulders and hurriedly said, “I was blind and rude to the two of you. I’ll arrange a top room for you right away!”

Xuanling turned to Boss She and said, “Two rooms!”

Boss She was taken aback and looked at Xuechen.

Xuechen said, “One room.”

Xuanling knew that Xuechen was wary of her pulling any tricks, but thinking about sharing a room with Xuechen made her feel extremely uncomfortable.

“It’ll be too crowded with two people!” Xuanling said.

Boss She quickly replied, “No, no, my top room is very spacious. Two people won’t be crowded. More people mean more liveliness.”

Xuanling: “…”

Xuechen: “Your heartbeat suddenly quickened.”

To hell with more people meaning more liveliness!

Xuanling grumbled inwardly but didn’t dare to lash out this time. She knew that if she said anything unpleasant, that cold-hearted leader of the Immortal Alliance would seal her mouth again.

Upon entering the top chamber, she surveyed the surroundings. The room was indeed spacious—likely because some demons preferred to sleep in their true forms. The bed here was several times larger than a human-sized one. It could comfortably accommodate two people; even four or five wouldn’t risk rolling off.

But no matter how large it was, she didn’t want to share a bed with Xuechen.

She frowned and found a chair to sit on, remaining silent.

Xuechen knew she was feeling uncomfortable, so he said, “You can sleep on the bed. I’ll just meditate.”

Xuanling sarcastically said, “I’m just a prisoner. How could I deserve to sleep on the bed? I should be grateful for just having a chair.”

Xuechen nodded solemnly. “Since you know you’re a prisoner, you should obey me.”

Xuanling glared at him fiercely, her eyes turning red again, grinding her back teeth with a grating sound.

“You’re doing this on purpose to get back at me,” Xuanling sneered. “Because earlier when my spiritual channels were sealed, I teased you, so you’re taking it out on me even worse. I never thought the leader of the Immortal Alliance would be such a petty person.”

Xuechen slowly walked up to her, saying thoughtfully, “So that’s how you see me…”

Xuanling snorted, her face filled with disdain and mockery. “What else? Did I say anything wrong?”

Xuechen suddenly leaned in slightly, reaching out to gently grasp her chin. His voice was calm, as if it carried a thin layer of ice, yet there was a hint of huskiness. “Then do you still remember what you did before?”

Xuanling was forced to lift her head to meet his gaze, falling into his deep phoenix eyes.

What had she done…

She had just kissed him forcefully, stripped his clothes, and rolled around with him on the same bed.

Xuanling couldn’t speak, but her expression was terrible.

Xuechen chuckled softly. “Looks like you remember now. Do you want me to ‘retaliate even worse’ and ‘be petty’? My fingers gently rubbed the soft skin on her face, pressing against her lips. “Didn’t you say… that since I’m a sword cultivator, I don’t have to preserve my virginity?”

Xuanling’s heart raced, unsure whether from fear or something else. She remained stiff and dared not move, her entire body tense.

Xuechen’s eyes darkened. Their distance was too close, close enough for him to count each of her thick lashes and see the panic in her eyes.

Hmph…

He looked down with a bitter smile, suppressing his desires. She was under the control of the Enlightenment Heart Water, unable to feel love for him. His closeness only brought her fear and unease.

Reluctantly, Xuechen let go and turned away. Feeling the person behind him quietly exhale in relief, he closed his eyes in sorrow.

“Will you obey me, or do you want me to retaliate?”

In the next moment, Xuanling had already flashed onto the bed, kicked off her shoes, and wrapped herself in the quilt, lying on the innermost side of the large bed.

Her heart was still pounding. The Xuechen just now felt very unfamiliar to her… Xuechen had always been aloof and self-restrained, cold and emotionless. Now, although still cold and emotionless, he seemed to have lost that previous ethereal and detached aura, replaced by an indescribable atmosphere.

This change seemed to have started after the Greed Prison. What had happened inside the Greed Prison? Why couldn’t she remember anything?

But she couldn’t ask. If she asked, Xuechen would know she had lost her memory. He might not tell the truth, and if she couldn’t trust his answer, there was no need to ask—it would only add to her troubles.

Xuanling curled up in the quilt and secretly pulled it down a bit to peek at Xuechen.

He was already a Nascent Soul cultivator, capable of meditating instead of sleeping. At this moment, he was already sitting cross-legged on the soft couch, eyes closed, his handsome face calm and solemn. As he cultivated, a radiant glow flowed over his body, making him look like a deity, sacred and untouchable.

—As if the previous moment had just been her imagination.

Xuanling lowered her eyes suspiciously. She had always been a suspicious person, and the more she thought, the more complicated it became. She had thought that sleeping in the same room as Xuechen would keep her awake, but she unexpectedly fell asleep.

In her dream, she didn’t know where she was. There seemed to be wind howling in her ears. She wanted to open her eyes, but her eyelids felt as heavy as a thousand pounds. Suddenly, the wind slowed down, and she heard a man’s restrained breathing and low, husky call—

“Xuanling…”

She suddenly opened her eyes and saw a pair of pitch-black phoenix eyes filled with desire.

Thus, she woke up from her dream.

Outside the window, the sky was just beginning to brighten. Xuechen was still in the same posture from the previous night, meditating in the distance. Hearing the movement from the bed, he slightly opened his eyes and looked at her.

“Did you have a nightmare?” Xuechen asked seriously.

Xuanling’s chest heaved violently, her face showing lingering fear, which anyone would interpret as such.

Was it a nightmare?

Yes, a nightmare. Being intimate with Xuechen was a nightmare for her!

Xuanling pursed her lips. The warmth of the touch was too intense, lingering and even slightly painful. Although she had kissed Xuechen several times forcefully, he had always been cold and resistant. However, the Xuechen in last night’s dream was completely different…

Could snow be scorching?

Xuanling vigorously rubbed her face—this was all Boss She’s fault yesterday saying “more people mean more liveliness”! And Xuechen’s words about “petty retaliation”! They had caused her to have such an absurd dream!