Returning to Purple Wisteria Court, Wang Yu sat down on the soft, comfortable bed and waved at the maid. With her negligible Qi Refining cultivation, there was no way she could have noticed what had just happened at the doorway.

Seeing him beckon, she walked over in confusion.

This was the first time she had heard this picked-up child speak.

“Do you have Spirit Mountain Grapes? I want to eat some.”

“Spirit Mountain Grapes?”

The maid’s mouth twitched. She remembered that this item was a second-rank spiritual fruit. Even the madam herself rarely got to eat it, yet this child really knew how to enjoy life.

She was just about to refuse.

But then the madam, freshly bathed, walked in. She wore a thin, pale pink gauze dress, her full chest stretching the fabric into a tent-like shape.

“Madam…”

“Qinghua, you may leave.”

“Yes.”

Tao Sixuan sat down beside Wang Yu with a bright smile, pulled him over, and placed him on her lap as she asked curiously,

“I thought you couldn’t speak. Did you eat like this back at home as well?”

“More or less.”

Wang Yu reached into his pocket, took out a cultivation pill, and tossed it into his mouth, chewing it apart with a look of pure enjoyment. With nothing else to do, the cultivation technique within his body began circulating on its own.

His cultivation quietly and rapidly increased.

At this pace, in about thirty-two days he would touch the threshold of Core Formation ninth layer. With much more free time on his hands, he was naturally willing to chat with Tao Sixuan.

Nestled in warmth and softness, the back of his head resting on something pliant, his completely unreserved demeanor immediately drew a laugh from the beautiful woman. She asked with interest, “What is that red pill you ate? Is it really that delicious?”

“Here, I’ll give you one.”

“Dissolve it in water and swallow it. One teacup’s worth should be divided into ten portions. Do not be greedy.”

The true essence of a Foundation Establishment cultivator was many levels inferior in quality to true mana. After dilution and taking it in small amounts, Tao Sixuan could barely refine it.

Wang Yu had an excess of cultivation-type human pills. These were things he could casually refine again, and with regenerating main ingredients walking around everywhere outside, he had never been particularly stingy.

Once he broke through to Nascent Soul, third-rank human pills would be far less effective for him, so he was generous at this stage.

After taking it, Tao Sixuan tried a small sip of the dissolved medicinal liquid. Her true essence immediately began to boil, and her beautiful eyes widened in shock.

“How can this be!”

Wang Yu leapt behind her and placed one palm against her back, using mana to protect her internal organs as he reminded her,

“Calm your mind, focus your spirit, and circulate your cultivation technique.”

After a dozen breaths, the violent true essence settled down, and the medicinal power condensed within her Qi sea. Over the next year or two of refinement, her cultivation would increase by a large margin.

The effect was comparable to a supreme-grade second-rank cultivation pill. This single cup of pill liquid could still be drunk nine more times, which was more than enough to ensure she cultivated to late Foundation Establishment. After all, this represented the lifelong accumulation of a Core Formation cultivator.

After being refined through the human pill art and his superb alchemy skills, what remained was nothing but pure essence.

If her refining ability were a bit stronger and her cultivation technique better, a single pill would not make it impossible for her to reach Foundation Establishment peak.

Waking from the brief cultivation trance, Tao Sixuan realized that the earlier surge of true essence had messed up her hair and clothes. Her face flushed red at once.

As she hurriedly tidied herself, she asked again,

“This… this spiritual item, how did you obtain it?”

“Picked it up.”

Wang Yu clapped his hands and lazily lay back down, very satisfied with the casual result. He had never hidden his own desires and needs.

Seeing Tao Sixuan in this heart-stirring state, his throat bobbed slightly as a peculiar thought arose. There was a saying for this kind of situation.

Idle time was idle time anyway. Wang Zhenghong had gone off to handle matters for him, so it was the perfect chance to do something enjoyable.

“Well… could I try absorbing some?”

Tao Sixuan’s already rosy face seemed to catch fire. She was not stupid. Wang Yu could casually swallow such a pill, yet she found it so difficult to consume.

What that implied was easy to guess.

She suddenly recalled the rumors about the Ice Demon Child that the maid had mentioned at the city gates. A vague suspicion arose in her heart, and her throat felt a little dry.

“This… this would be improper.

“And besides, I belong to Elder Wang. If you truly want to, I can go buy a few women instead.”

Wang Yu raised an eyebrow.

“That would be far too boring. Elder Wang has gone off to handle business anyway. Why not just have some fun?”

After handing over a spiritual pill, his attitude was simple and direct.

He could no longer remember when this mindset had taken shape. Perhaps it was after Long Yiran’s death. That sudden demise had come without the slightest warning.

At the time, the shock had been immense. Afterward, he completely let himself go. Back in Huangbai City, he had deliberately drawn attention to himself, seizing the opportunity to massacre the city and refine his techniques.

That had been the moment of his first transformation.

Now, he was even more unrestrained.

As the saying went, dust returned to dust, earth returned to earth. Life would eventually die, spirits would eventually perish, and all things would ultimately fade away. No matter how glorious, it all ended as a cup of yellow soil, a handful of pale ashes.

Acting according to one’s desires had become his supreme pursuit.

It sounded simple, but was unimaginably difficult to truly achieve.

“Worldly affairs are but a grand dream. How many autumn chills does a life endure?”

“Why not indulge once and for all. To hell with propriety and shame.”

Wang Yu’s words were like demonic whispers pouring into the ears, luring one toward a bottomless abyss. They also subtly conveyed the information that Wang Zhenghong was not present, stirring an unusual thrill deep within her heart.

“Then… then your virgin body…”

“A humble cultivator naturally has his own methods.”

The moment had arrived. With a bit of resistance and a bit of yielding, things naturally followed through. Even Tao Sixuan herself harbored mixed and strange thoughts. There was heat, desire, and also longing for the spiritual pill.

Crimson Kite people, Crimson Kite souls, Crimson Kite were all ambitious people.

The first battle of this new body could only be described as marvelous. Previously, he had only paid attention to Tao Sixuan’s face and upper figure, neglecting her full lower body.

Those legs were long and fair, perfectly suited to be grasped and toyed with.

He was enjoying himself immensely.

Meanwhile, the entire Wang residence quickly became busy. Spiritual chefs skilled in the art of spirit cuisine were invited to prepare a banquet, while others went out to purchase spiritual fruits and spiritual wine.

Wang Zhenghong contacted two colleagues, using the excuse of forming alliances to mask his true intent, successfully deceiving the chief of the Intelligence Division.

After all, they had just gone through a meeting.

Before the second meeting began, it was time for the thirty-six elders to recruit supporters. Whoever could persuade more people would have greater leverage when the final decision was made.

With everyone making moves, Wang Zhenghong’s actions appeared perfectly reasonable and raised no suspicion. At most, people joked that even an old turtle had developed an enterprising heart.

From noon to night, the trap specially laid for the two Intelligence Division chiefs was finally completed. Wang Zhenghong personally went to the city garrison headquarters to fetch them. If he hid inside at this moment, with formations in place, Wang Yu would not be able to do anything to him.

However, that demonic seed which had vanished without a trace after entering his body made him deeply uneasy.

Therefore, when he saw the two men walk out of the garrison headquarters, he immediately put on a chrysanthemum-like smile.

“I have been waiting for you two for quite some time. Why not come to my residence and enjoy a drink?”

“Of course we must go.”

“Let us go together.”

“Elder Zhenghong personally came to receive us. How could we possibly refuse?”

“Hahahaha!”

The three of them left arm in arm. Anyone unaware would think their relationship was exceptionally close, though in reality they had not interacted much.

The position within the Intelligence Division was important, but it was also a role that easily took the blame. Its status was still inferior to that of the thirty-six peak elders of the garrison headquarters. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

Whether or not to seize this olive branch was another matter.

But it was certainly worth discussing.

…

…

The Wang residence.

Wang Zhenghong had lived for far too long, and with no children of his own, those collateral bloodlines separated by countless generations could hardly be called family.

As a result, his residence felt empty. It was a household he had rebuilt around himself in his later years.

“Brother Wan, Brother Li, please take the seats of honor.”

“Someone, bring a few concubines over to accompany us with drinks.”

“Haha, that sounds excellent.”

The moment Wan and Li heard this, their interest was immediately piqued.

Wang Zhenghong’s fondness for women was well known in the prefectural city and often spoken of with admiration. Some claimed that though old, he was still vigorous, with an unyielding spear. Both men were skeptical of this, given that he had not produced a single heir.

It was hard to believe he was still capable. Perhaps he was simply putting on a show to save face.

After all, men enjoyed being praised for strength and prowess.

Others said his eye for women was exceptional, every woman he chose being beautiful and charming, each with her own allure.

Previously, they had only heard such talk. But today, with concubines being summoned to accompany them in drinking, the implication was unmistakable. Wan and Li immediately felt Wang Zhenghong’s sincerity. Even speaking of this later would be a matter of pride.

“Elder Zhenghong, you are truly too courteous. Come, I, Wan, will toast you first.”

“Good.”

Cup after cup of wine went down. Wang Zhenghong, harboring ulterior motives, had long since ordered all unrelated wives and concubines into their rooms, with soundproofing restrictions already activated.

The few concubines left to accompany the drinking, under his subtle cues, continuously urged them to drink more.

Once the wine had gone around three times and the dishes had been tasted through all five flavors,

the Li-surnamed chief sighed, his gaze hazy.

“I have long heard of the reputation of the third-rank spiritual wine, Drunken Spring Breeze. Today, thanks to Elder Zhenghong, this flavor truly lives up to its name.”

“Heh heh, as long as you two brothers are satisfied.”

Spiritual wine could only intoxicate for a short while. If one truly wanted to dispel the effects of the alcohol, it would take only a few breaths. To ensure absolute certainty, Wang Zhenghong had already made preparations for a sneak attack.

If the commotion was small enough, perhaps no one would even notice.

Midnight.

Both Wan and Li were already slurring their words slightly from drinking.

“By the way, Elder, you still haven’t said why you summoned the two of us here… what exactly is it? As long as you say the word, this little brother will definitely satisfy you.”

“No rush. Have another cup.”

Wang Zhenghong silently poured the wine.

At that moment, the doors of the hall suddenly opened. Tao Sixuan entered while holding Wang Yu in her arms. Her face was rosy and radiant, looking thoroughly nourished, and she dared not meet Old Wang’s eyes.

Wan and Li looked up and both laughed.

“Well done, Wang Zhenghong. Since when did you get a young son? No wonder you suddenly got involved. Are you trying to earn a family fortune for your boy?”

Wang Zhenghong’s cheeks twitched. He turned his head away and no longer looked at them.

Those words were far too offensive. How could he dare to respond?

Wang Yu drifted down onto the round table. Ice chains extended from the void and, in the blink of an eye, completely froze the two men awake.

The two stared at each other, finally seeing the face right in front of them clearly.

“Ice… demon. The Ice Demon Child?!”

“Wang Zhenghong, I curse your ancestors!”

At this point, how could they not understand that this was a trap? Panic immediately welled up in their hearts. The cultivator surnamed Wan stiffened his resolve and said,

“Ice Demon Child, you never once attacked Exalted Sect members while in Maple Prefecture. On the contrary, you even provided much assistance. We naturally remember this favor. Why must you take such drastic measures?”

“This matter is of great importance. Without searching your souls, my heart will not be at ease.”

Wang Yu shook his head in reply, deliberately glancing at Wang Zhenghong.

This man was indeed a talent.

However, Wang Zhenghong’s plan was to act quietly, with as little disturbance as possible, whereas Wang Yu intended to pull the two men into his own camp. That was why he deliberately disrupted Wang Zhenghong’s arrangements.

He needed people stationed in Maple Prefecture City to continuously pass along information about the Blood Reversal Sect. If the Nine Evil Sword Lord came tracking him down, he would certainly investigate clues through the local intelligence division.

This move was a precautionary backup, to prevent overconfidence from leading to disaster. Wan and Li could restrain Wang Zhenghong, and with Tao Sixuan inserted by his side,they would form the most stable triangle possible.

With that thought, he spoke again.

“I will give the two of you an opportunity.”

Forcefully searching a soul often left the target with a damaged spirit, leading to dementia. It would be very difficult to conceal this from others.

However, if they voluntarily opened their Niwan Palace, then with Wang Yu’s mastery of the Soul-Gouging Evil Boat Curse, he was confident he could preserve the integrity of their souls. That was the foundation for taking them in as subordinates.

“Speak, please speak!”

Seeing a chance to live, neither of them wanted to give it up.

They were much younger than Wang Zhenghong, only four to five hundred years old, and still had some hope of advancing to Nascent Soul. They had plenty of life ahead of them.

How could they be willing to die in a trap like this?

“Open your Niwan Palace and allow my divine sense to enter and browse your memories once. If you deliberately conceal anything, then death is your only outcome.”

Wang Yu’s voice was very soft as he spoke, childish and gentle, carrying no intimidation at all. Yet the massive divine sense that followed immediately afterward still frightened the two men into nodding repeatedly.

Allow it, and there was a chance to live.

Refuse, and death was immediate.

There was nothing left to discuss. They could only hope that Wang Yu would be gentle when entering. Their souls could not withstand rough handling.

Once an understanding was reached, black paper boats filled with malevolent sailed into the space between their brows one after another. Wang Yu closed his eyes and began to observe, replaying events in reverse, starting from the most recent.

He focused particularly on their memories of receiving transmissions from the Sect.

The hall fell into complete silence as everyone waited for the result. Tao Sixuan stared blankly at Wang Yu, unable to clearly describe the complicated emotions she felt.

A child she had picked up had suddenly turned the tables and climbed above everyone else.

And he displayed such domineering behavior. The contrast was so great that it stirred admiration and reverence within her. Raised in the inner chambers since childhood, she had almost never experienced anything like this.

Calling it liking would be too much. After all, Wang Yu looked only three years old on the outside, and he also liked using strange techniques on her. How could one speak of liking?

Aside from shame and indignation, all that remained was a sense of pleasure, and a yearning and longing to seize control of her own fate. In other words, she had felt the charm of power.

There was also someone present who was secretly wiping away “tears”.

That person was Wang Zhenghong.

Not for any woman, but for himself. He was already so old, and the thought of being used like an ox or horse by Wang Yu filled his heart with waves of melancholy.

What was he even doing this for?

His Dao path was hopeless, he had no children, and he had long since lost any drive for advancement. The Ice Demon Child’s intentions were unclear. If he intended harm toward the Exalted Sect, would Wang Zhenghong not be implicated?

Even his wish to enjoy a peaceful old age would be impossible. It was truly unbearable.

Every time he thought of it, he felt deeply dejected, until it finally turned into a long sigh. Better to live on miserably than to die well.

A moment later, after organizing the vast amount of information in his mind, Wang Yu finally opened his eyes. His gaze, too, flickered with complex emotions.

The affairs of the Blood Reversal Sect were even more complicated than he had imagined.