The woman before the stone gate was clad in white, her figure as seductive as a demon's, her beauty as celestial as a fairy's.
Two completely different auras merged, imbuing her with a lethal allure.
The man in the white suit, however, dared not even glance at her. Tense, he bowed, his forehead beaded with sweat as he followed her steps.
The white-clad woman regarded him coldly, silent.
For reasons unknown, the man in the suit clutched his chest in agony, his body shrinking inch by inch.
Upon closer inspection, it was evident he was disappearing from his feet upwards.
His feet, ankles, calves, knees...
Only when the man in the suit was reduced to his torso did the white-clad woman sneer, "You too shall become a zombie overseer. My Divine Cult has no use for trash like you!"
Having dealt with the man in the suit so casually, the woman in white turned to Longmen River, "Order Zhu Xiaotian to evacuate everyone from Chaoge and have them build bridges here!"
Behind her, four beautiful figures appeared, all clad in purple trench coats and green masks, alluring and wicked.
These were the Four Rakshasas of the Demonic Cult.
They bowed in unison, "As the Cult Master commands!"
One Rakshasa's feet shimmered with vibrant light, and she vanished from her spot in an instant.
All that remained was a figure streaking through the forest and mountains, swift as lightning.
This woman in white was none other than Xuanyuan Xing, impersonating the eldest sister of the Su family.
She glanced at the sun in the sky and asked, "How is things at Tianyu Valley?"
"Reporting to the Cult Master, that A'yu is still foolishly building his small world. Sister Folian has made arrangements; during the Longmen Assembly, the small world will be devoured by the Hell Scroll."
Xuanyuan Xing's expression was impassive, "Have the Left and Right Protectors go together then. Use my Xuanyuan family's Town God Talisman to eliminate that A'yu! You," she gestured to another Rakshasa, "go and keep an eye on Tianyu Valley."
Another Rakshasa departed as ordered.
Xuanyuan Xing turned and walked towards the forest.
Deep within the Longmen River's woods, a magnificent palace unexpectedly appeared!
It was built by tens of thousands of zombies working tirelessly, transformed into a luxurious palace in just a day or two.
The palace was heavily guarded by elite masters of the Demonic Cult.
Inside, it was opulent and lavish. Even a single table was an antique rosewood piece bought from "Songzhu Hall" of Great Xia.
As for other furnishings, they were entirely in a retro style, with various exquisite paintings adorning the walls.
And a dazzling array of gems and jades were on display.
This residence, designed after an ancient imperial palace, was internally valued at over ten billion.
Xuanyuan Xing sat down, picked up a crystal goblet, "Is Su Yuluo taken care of?"
Her subordinate hastily replied, "That golden carp has been placed in a crystal coffin. As per the Cult Master's orders, we are using demonic energy to stimulate her bloodline. She should awaken soon."
After the report, a Rakshasa organized new intelligence and respectfully placed it before Xuanyuan Xing.
Xuanyuan Xing flipped through it casually, her face betraying no emotion, "Oh, Folian did well. The final riddle has been found... Zhu Tianqi!"
She slowly rose.
The Rakshasas, Protectors, and the cult's warriors all knelt, "Cult Master, shall we mobilize our main forces to capture Zhu Tianqi from Chaoge University?"
Xuanyuan Xing's eyebrows shot up, "A bunch of idiots, who among you can defeat my brother-in-law?!"
Huh?
Her subordinates were all stunned.
Xuanyuan Xing roared, "I'm talking about Qin Yexuan!"
The Left Protector gritted his teeth, "This subordinate refuses to believe Qin Yexuan is that formidable. This subordinate is willing to go alone and claim his head!"
*Bang!*
Xuanyuan Xing waved her jade-like hand, sending the Left Protector flying on the spot.
"Heh heh, you can't even withstand three-tenths of my power, and you want to take Qin Yexuan's head? What a laugh."
The Right Protector, more seasoned, quickly kowtowed, "This subordinate only follows the Cult Master's orders!"
Xuanyuan Xing sneered, "Use a hostage exchange. Isn't Shen Bingmei still here?"
The Right Protector wiped his sweat, "Shen Bingmei was originally possessed by a Rakshasa and controlled well. For some reason, the soul of our cult's Rakshasa seems to have been devoured by Shen Bingmei. It's truly strange."
Xuanyuan Xing's eyes flickered with anger, "That's because Shen Bingmei slept with Qin Yexuan. You people don't understand Qin Yexuan. For any woman he dotes on, he always leaves a contingency. He left a trace of his aura within Shen Bingmei, dissolving the Rakshasa soul."
The Protectors and warriors were inwardly shocked.
What kind of cultivation could achieve this?
"Cult Master, Zhu Tianqi is the most crucial of the three riddles. This subordinate feels that, if Qin Yexuan has any brains, he wouldn't exchange her with us."
"Indeed, Cult Master. Shen Bingmei is merely a lover from a single night with him. Would he exchange the Wu tribe, whose fate decides the world, for her?"
Xuanyuan Xing's expression grew complex, her tone firm to the point of terror, "He will! He is a man of deep emotion. Even if the world were ending, he would protect his woman!"
Everyone lowered their heads, not daring to speak.
Xuanyuan Xing walked a few steps, "Bring Shen Bingmei here. Before going to exchange for Zhu Tianqi, I want to speak with her alone."
The others retreated. Soon, Shen Bingmei was brought in.
She was unharmed, her clothes even of her usual brands, indicating she had been treated well in the Demonic Cult.
However, a silk ribbon around her neck, though not a restraint, prevented Shen Bingmei from making any escape attempts.
Xuanyuan Xing looked at the woman entering, a strange hint of jealousy flashing in her eyes, then she abruptly raised her hand and lightly clenched it.
The silk ribbon around Shen Bingmei's neck tightened, causing her to collapse onto the sofa in pain, her breathing growing increasingly difficult.
Xuanyuan Xing grudgingly released her grip, and after a long moment, took a breath, "Do you know who I am?"
Shen Bingmei rubbed her neck, a wry, hoarse smile on her face, "The Rakshasa who possessed me was your trusted subordinate. I absorbed a lot of her memories, so I am very clear about your plan and your identity."
Xuanyuan Xing chuckled, "Then let's cut the nonsense. My grievances and love affairs with Qin Yexuan could fill a book. To be honest, I'm jealous of you."
What did she mean by that?
Shen Bingmei was confused and uneasy.
Xuanyuan Xing looked at her, "I'm jealous that you could sleep with my brother-in-law. I'm jealous that you could gain his favor. After my sister's death, you were his first lover, weren't you?"
Shen Bingmei was stunned.
The memories she possessed contained none of this.
"You... you like Qin Yexuan too? Then why are you trying to harm him?"
Xuanyuan Xing's fingers gripped a crystal goblet, and it melted at her touch, "Because love reached its extreme, so did hate. "
She seemed to be muttering to herself, or perhaps speaking to Shen Bingmei. Regardless, the emotions had been suppressed for too long, and she longed to confide in someone.
"Shen Bingmei, do you know why I personally killed my sister?"
Shen Bingmei's body trembled, "Was it out of jealousy? Because Qin Yexuan liked your sister and not you?"
Xuanyuan Xing slowly stood, "It's not that simple. Since we have some time, I can tell you about it."
Shen Bingmei simply sat down as well, "Fine. I'm as good as dead anyway. No matter what secrets you tell, no one will ever know."
Xuanyuan Xing walked to the window, gazing out at the lush forest. The past slowly resurfaced in her mind...