Chapter 75: Chapter 75: Heart of the Nightmare Demon

Years ago, that Nightmare Demon had broken through the Sealing Array, luring Outer Celestial Demons to descend to the Lower Realm. It released a Demon Fog that blanketed a thousand-mile radius, plunging the entire Xiao Family into what felt like a Fallen Demon Realm.

Xiao Wuyin would never believe that there wasn’t a mastermind behind the demonic calamity.

But...

The Xiao Family had long since lost the right and the power to investigate the true culprit.

After the Yinluo Sect intervened to resolve the demonic calamity, they simply reinforced the seal and remained extremely tight-lipped about the matter, showing no intention of investigating further.

For all these years, his cultivation had not advanced an inch.

Whenever he sat in meditation, the savage, desperate faces of the fallen Xiao Family disciples would flood his mind like a tide.

Among them were the elders he respected, his beloved Dao companion, his own flesh and blood, his disciples...

After witnessing so many of his closest kin perish before his very eyes, his Dao Heart had finally shattered.

In his heart, as cold and dead as embers, perhaps only the flame of vengeance had yet to be extinguished.

"The Yinluo Sect is truly worthy of its title as the top sect in Yun Country. Such arrogance is both laughable and hateful!"

The speaker was another person.

He looked to be in his early twenties, dressed as a scholar, and sat leisurely on a chair in the corner of the secret chamber with a lazy smile on his face.

Ren Yan, an Honored Guest Elder of the Xiao Family.

Xiao Wuyin’s subservient, fawning demeanor from when he had received the members of the Yinluo Sect was gone. His weathered face was now grim and cold as he spoke without turning his head, "Without this, the Xiao Family is no stronger than an ant in the eyes of the Yinluo Sect."

"If it were you, would you give a damn about what an ant was thinking?"

He turned around with a self-mocking expression on his face. The scarlet heart behind him pulsed even more violently.

Ren Yan waved a lazy hand. "Mr. Xiao, don’t be so self-deprecating. No matter how pathetic the Xiao Family has become, it’s still stronger than an ant. If we must use an analogy, it would be an injured puppy... the kind that can be kicked to death in one go, of course."

At this, he burst into laughter.

"The Nightmare Demon’s heart has revived," Xiao Wuyin cut him off coldly. "It’s time to initiate our plan."

"It is indeed time," Ren Yan said with a faint smile. "We’ve been plotting for over a decade. It’s about time we collected some interest from the Yinluo Sect."

Though his smile was lazy, his words contained a sliver of exceedingly sharp killing intent.

...

「A few days later.」

The Demon Fog in the valley gradually dissipated. The dense, black miasma thinned into wisps, and visibility improved.

The Nightmare Grass on the riverbank also appeared less frequently than before.

Sitting in the Cyan Bamboo Study, Fang Cheng guessed that the Sealing Array had likely been repaired.

Sure enough, when he went to Elder Lu Wei to turn in his Nightmare Grass, he was informed that the mission would end in three days, and they would return to the sect then.

Elder Lu Wei also mentioned that for this mission, every Outer Disciple would receive merit points based on the quantity of Nightmare Grass submitted. The top performers would even be rewarded with an additional stalk of Nightmare Grass!

Her words seemed to imply that Fang Cheng was very likely to receive the Nightmare Grass reward.

Fang Cheng smiled noncommittally and instead took the opportunity to ask about the Two Realms Flower seeds.

Lu Wei was not surprised. She had seen from Fang Cheng’s expression and actions that this Outer Disciple had designs on the flower. However, the seeds of the Two Realms Flower were extremely precious; even Lu Wei herself had none to spare.

Fang Cheng could only leave in disappointment.

「On the second-to-last day of the mission.」

The Demon Fog in the valley had almost completely dispersed. Many Outer Disciples had given up on searching for Nightmare Grass, instead visiting friends, gathering together, and chatting to unwind.

After all, having been "trapped" for so long in the sunless Demon Fog, everyone felt rather oppressed.

Fortunately, disciples of the Xiao Family occasionally came down on Abyssal Ropes, providing some relief from the boredom for many of the Outer Disciples...

Fang Cheng’s Cyan Bamboo Study also received a visitor.

——Wen Qianqian.

Inside the study, the two of them sat around a low bamboo table. On it were two white jade teacups, from which fragrant steam gently curled.

"My apologies for the simple accommodations, Wen Dao You. I’m afraid I can’t offer you proper hospitality," Fang Cheng said with a smile.

The Flower-Confidence Young Lady, with her fair skin and delicate beauty, smiled gracefully. "Nonsense, Fellow Daoist. Finding joy amidst hardship has its own unique charm."

Wen Qianqian was as beautiful as a peach in bloom. Her face and figure were that of a first-class beauty, and her waist-cinching long dress only served to accentuate her dignified elegance and proud, stunning physique.

She gazed at Fang Cheng with limpid eyes, a bright smile on her face. "During the process of repairing the Sealing Array, I was fortunate enough to advance to a Tier One High-grade Array Master. If you ever need an Array in the future, Fellow Daoist, you can find me in the marketplace. I’ll be sure to give you the best possible price."

A look of surprise crossed Fang Cheng’s face. He raised his cup and said, "Congratulations, Fellow Daoist! To become a Tier One High-grade Array Master at your age—your future is surely limitless!"

The Array Dao was vast, profound, and incredibly complex, considered one of the most difficult of the many arts of cultivation.

He truly hadn’t expected this delicate beauty, Wen Qianqian, to possess such talent.

’It seems Father Wen had a deeper reason for bringing her along this time,’ he thought.

Wen Qianqian’s laugh was gentle, but she couldn’t hide her pride. "Though my talent for cultivation is merely average, when it comes to the Array Dao, even your own Elder Feng has praised me highly."

Fang Cheng smiled but said nothing. After she took a sip of her tea, he refilled her cup.

Wen Qianqian blinked her eyes and sighed. "Unfortunately, I am just a weak woman. Even with some skill in Arrays, there’s no guarantee that I won’t be bullied..."

Fang Cheng said coolly, "Fellow Daoist, if you have something on your mind, please just say it."

Wen Qianqian lightly bit her red lip, then fell silent for a moment before saying, "Fellow Daoist, are you aware that for my father to have gotten as far as he has in the marketplace, he has relied not just on connections and reputation, but primarily on three Independent Practitioner Guest Elders with extraordinary combat prowess? In the future, if I wish to stand on my own, I will also need someone to rely on."

"Fellow Daoist Fang, your Sword Technique is masterful, and you are now an Outer Disciple of the Yinluo Sect. If you would be willing to look after me, that would be far better than me finding ten Loose Cultivators. Besides, how can one easily trust a common Loose Cultivator?"

Fang Cheng’s expression grew thoughtful.

Wen Qianqian reached out with a pair of fair, delicate hands and took hold of Fang Cheng’s. A pleading look appeared on her charming face as she said, "If you agree, Fellow Daoist, my family’s shop will offer you one thousand Spirit Stones annually, plus access to our information channels within the marketplace. After all, there’s some gossip that even Noble Families and Giants like the Ye Family might not hear."

The pair of slender, snow-white hands was surprisingly smooth and soft.

Fang Cheng coughed dryly and said with a serious expression, "Wen Dao You, I will need some time to consider this before I can give you an answer."

Wen Qianqian giggled and pulled her hand back, rolling her beautiful eyes at him. Her charming gaze seemed to hold a hint of dissatisfaction, mixed with a touch of playful resentment.

Just as she was about to say something, a clear voice called from outside the door:

"Is Brother Fang in?"

Fang Cheng looked outside and saw Xiao Ye standing on the riverbank, holding a Sword Box.

"Ah, Xiaoxiao, you’re here! Come in and have some tea!"

Fang Cheng seized the opportunity to change the subject.

Wen Qianqian’s lovely eyes sparkled as she looked curiously toward Xiao Ye, showing no intention of taking her leave.

...