"What a promising disciple!"
Yao Ranran's brows curved with joy. Taking Lu Ziqian as a disciple had not been in vain.
The reason why the heavily wounded Yun Gu Sect and Suo Hong Tower had been able to withstand wave after wave of assaults from the three great demon sects was inseparable from Lu Ziqian's advance knowledge of the demon sects' plans.
Propping her chin on one hand, Yao Ranran pondered, "After this battle, how many spirit stones should I ask of Yun Gu Sect and Suo Hong Tower?"
If she were to open her mouth, no amount of spirit stones could compare to the lives of tens of thousands of disciples spared.
"Forget it. I no longer lack spirit stones, and regardless of victory or defeat, Yun Gu Sect and Suo Hong Tower will suffer heavy losses."
Rather than spirit stones, she wanted them to be able to hold off the greedy forces of the three great Central Domain clans when the time came. That way she could cultivate peacefully on Gu Ling Mountain and reach Divine Transformation as soon as possible.
"Ziqian, my little disciple, you've done very well. Your master has one more small task for you…"
Within the transmission talisman, Yao Ranran explained her suspicions about Ye Hai and urged Lu Ziqian to be twice as cautious, reducing transmissions during the war. Now that he had been promoted to general of the demon soldiers, his every move was under the watchful eyes of countless demons. A single misstep would make him the target of all.
After a breath of hesitation, she summoned the cowering phoenix.
"Take this pouch and the transmission talisman to You Yan Gate. Let no one discover you."
Lu Ziqian stood by the window, awaiting her reply. Warmth flowed through his chest as the talisman arrived.
"Without Master's protection, there would be no Ziqian today."
Turning back, the moonlight shone upon a pale face. It was a man with limbs unnaturally robust, muscles hard and thick like iron pillars. A physique unique to the demon race.
"Master truly possesses divine foresight!"
This demon was none other than his deputy, Ming Tian, who had been tailing him for days.
Lu Ziqian calmly closed the window. The chill wind battered against the room, only to fade into nothingness.
"You… you're a spy sent by Yun Gu Sect!" Ming Tian glared with venom. "To betray the Demon Sovereign, you'll die a miserable death!"
Lu Ziqian smiled with calm humility. "Deputy Ming Tian, you are mistaken. I have no ties to Yun Gu Sect."
Ming Tian's eyes bulged. "Then… Suo Hong—"
Lu Ziqian shook his head. "Neither Suo Hong Tower nor Yun Gu Sect can command me."
"Then… what force…?" Ming Tian gasped with dying breath, struggling to force the question out.
Lu Ziqian glanced at the streak of hidden black light fleeing behind him, his smile serene. "With my master here, the Demon Sovereign will never prevail."
A wisp of pitch-black flame flickered between his fingers and leapt into Ming Tian's broad palm, igniting instantly. It surged into a fierce blaze, consuming even that fleeing black shadow.
"Your… master… who…?"
Ming Tian's scream was filled with agony as he burned away.
Lu Ziqian's eyes softened with a touch of pity.
"Deputy Ming Tian, after spending so many days with you, I truly was reluctant to strike you down. But Master has already cleared every obstacle before me. How could I not take this final step?"
His master had slain every other demon general that stood in his way, raising him to the rank of grand general of the demon soldiers. He could not—would not—allow this deputy to ruin her grand design.
If Yao Ranran could hear his words now, she would certainly wonder what exactly she had done.
Was she truly that powerful?
"Hahaha, another upgrade!"
Yao Ranran sat cross-legged on the floor, laughing at the glowing attributes of the blacksmith forge before her.
[Blacksmith Forge]
Level: 18
Spirit stones required for upgrade: 0/15,000,000
Proficiency: 0/15,000,000 (Upon max proficiency, chance to forge a treasure of the next grade)
Bound: Yao Ranran
New refining blueprints: Three-Treasure Jade Ruyi, Heaven-Penetrating Divine Fire Shield, Earth-Locking Tower.
"These three sound formidable already. Worthwhile efforts always yield rewards."
She sighed with satisfaction, clutching the blueprints, planning to gather the materials tomorrow.
"Cluck cluck cluck!"
The phoenix pecked at the door. Yao Ranran quickly put away the forge.
"Did you deliver the pouch and the transmission talisman to Lu Ziqian?"
The phoenix nodded.
Yao Ranran hesitated, then asked, "How is he faring in You Yan Gate?"
The phoenix tilted its head, then replied, "Master, he's doing very well!"
"That's good, so long as no one bullies him."
She knew Lu Ziqian's physique would never put him at a disadvantage in You Yan Gate, but guilt still lingered—she was using his strength for her ends.
The phoenix twisted its neck, recalling the corpse it had glimpsed outside the window. Its heart whispered: "Master's mind is unfathomable."
How could such a killer be bullied? It was a miracle the disciples of You Yan Gate were still alive. Lu Ziqian carried a murderous aura so heavy one could not guess how many lives he had already taken.
That night, beneath the sparse stars, Yao Ranran drifted into peaceful slumber. The phoenix curled lazily beside her bed, closing its eyes.
In the Central Domain, at the Yu family.
"Yu Weifeng, Yan'er became like this all because of you. You're the one who harmed her!"
Upon a jade platform half a man's height lay the icy corpse of Yu Zhenyan.
Xing Rui's eyes burned with hatred as she glared at the handsome man before her.
Yu Weifeng sighed heavily. "Ruirui, the reason I wanted to acknowledge that rebellious daughter Yao Ranran was because the Holy Maiden of Beiming promised me cooperation. My goal was to free the family from the control of Wuxiang Sect, not out of lingering attachment to that woman and her child."
Xing Rui stared into him. "Are you sure? It was for the clan, not for yourself?"
Yu Weifeng lowered his eyes, then raised them again, faintly moist.
"I raised Yan'er with my own hands. I gave her everything. Just days ago, I entrusted her with the Great Celestial Derivation Art so she could defeat Yao Ranran and become the number one prodigy of the Central Domain. How could this be for myself?"
Xing Rui sneered coldly, holding the urn in her arms as she stepped closer.
"Yan'er has suffered this disaster and torment. For now, I will believe you."
A flicker of hidden delight passed through Yu Weifeng's eyes.
"But the Great Celestial Derivation Art is lost. You must stabilize the Yu family clansmen. Until Yao Ranran is dead, none of them may trouble Yan'er!"
Xing Rui caressed the cold urn, mocking him with her gaze.
Yu Weifeng's face changed. "The Great Celestial Derivation Art… not in the Treasure Pavilion… could it be Yan'er stole it when I was away?!"
"That's right. Don't you know her nature? Would she ever allow Yu family's branch line to study such a heavenly-grade art?"
Xing Rui's disdain was palpable.
Even now, she had no regard for Yu family's clansmen.
Except… for that cursed Yao Ranran!
That vixen Yao Yanliu might be dead, but she had still left behind a calamity to torment them!
Yu Weifeng's pupils shrank. His fingers gripped the jade platform tight as he suppressed the fury rising in his chest. The Great Celestial Derivation Art was the Yu family's foundation treasure!
Even in Wuxiang Sect, the foremost sect of the Central Domain, there were only a few heavenly-grade manuals.
And Xing Rui would allow her daughter to steal it away, keeping it for herself?