CHAPTER 59: CHAPTER 58: BRILLIANT [SEEKING VOTES DAILY!]

More people had arrived...

In an inconspicuous stone house within the territory of a Demonic Sect—one with a particularly long name—Wu Wang’s mouth twitched slightly. He recalled his experiences over the past three months, unable to suppress a few internal complaints.

Are they treating me like some kind of Enlightenment Stone? Ever since that Elder Wang, one Elder after another has come to discuss the Dao, and one after another, they’ve gone into seclusion! What are they trying to do? Force me to recite the *Tao Te Ching* in the Great Wilderness, or compel me to spread the teachings of the Star God Cult here in this Demonic Sect? I’m tired, I’m weary... Just let it all explode already!

Wu Wang grumbled internally, withdrawing his Spiritual Sense to avoid angering these potentially temperamental Demonic Sect Elders. He then refocused on his furious writing.

In his previous life, he had volunteered and received training in cultural courses. However, he had learned subjects like cosmology, astronomy, geography, and the appreciation of human arts, among other things.

Now, he honestly couldn’t squeeze out even one more pseudo-philosophical sentence. If another highly skilled Cultivator came to debate the Dao with him, Wu Wang couldn’t guarantee he wouldn’t bring out Einstein’s "Exploration of the Adaptability of Relativity to the Yin and Yang Doctrine," or Emperor Schrödinger’s "New Insights into Divine Beast Cultivation."

At this thought, a profound depth entered Wu Wang’s gaze.

The most difficult test was already behind him. He had thoroughly investigated the Grand Elder’s habits and preferences. This was his last legitimate chance to leave this Demonic Sect. Thinking back to the trial that female demoness put him through, it had been utterly fraught with danger. Testing a Young Master with something like that? Which Young Master could possibly endure it? But, to be fair, while this Demonic Sect wasn’t very large, Elder Miao of the Black Desire Door—who held considerable influence—was a genuine peerless beauty, blessed with natural charm. If she so much as beckoned to Brother Ji, he probably wouldn’t last three... moments.

Suddenly, a loud shout came from outside: "Grand Elder has arrived!"

Wu Wang paused his writing, rested his brush beside the inkstone, and rose to approach the door.

He hadn’t taken two steps when the door swung open, and a figure in striking Blood Clothes appeared. Upon closer inspection, it was a tall, thin elderly man with blood-colored long hair and sparkling eyes. His light-red eyeshadow was particularly memorable.

The Grand Elder entered without a word, his gaze fixed on the young man before him. His hawk-like, piercing eyes seemed capable of seeing right through Wu Wang’s very bones.

Wu Wang remained composed. He bowed his head slightly and clasped his hands in greeting, not scrutinizing the newcomer too closely. A warm smile touched his lips; he was accustomed to such displays of status. The natural pressure exuded by this blood-haired elder was even a bit stronger than Brother Mao’s. He was truly worthy of the title ’Grand Elder,’ a name Wu Wang had heard so often it felt etched into his memory.

This Grand Elder, known by the title ’Blood Hand Demon Lord,’ was a master ranked within the top thirty on the Demon Path.

—This ranking did not include reclusive experts from the Human Domain but only considered those active within the Human Domain who had made public appearances in the last hundred years.

The Grand Elder’s expression was indifferent, his tone bland, as he said, "Are you Wu Wangzi?"

"This junior greets the Grand Elder," Wu Wang replied, offering a standard salute for a junior before looking up at the old man.

Their gazes met. The Grand Elder subtly exerted a bit of his imposing aura, but Wu Wang seemed not to notice. He naturally stepped aside, gesturing an invitation. "Senior, please take the seat of honor."

A mere Condensation Establishment Realm cultivator, and I can’t suppress him with my aura?

The Grand Elder raised an eyebrow slightly and turned to the scar-faced man waiting outside. "Go call Little Miao over."

The scar-faced man shot Wu Wang a fierce glare, then bowed hastily in acknowledgment and sped off on a dark cloud.

Wu Wang immediately understood. He chuckled and said, "That deacon has certainly spent a good deal of time observing this junior recently."

"His capacity for thought is hardly larger than a sesame seed."

The Grand Elder spoke slowly, his gaze sweeping over the stone house’s interior. He noted that everything was spotless: the bookshelves and ornaments were arranged in perfect order, and even the curtains draped around the low table hung with identical precision.

This was all Wu Wang’s intentional doing. To leave the Demonic Sect without incurring trouble, the wisest strategy was to make them feel he was utterly out of place here. Hence, during this period, Wu Wang had meticulously aligned his speech and actions with those expected of a ’righteous person.’ His room was immaculate, with a faint, pure aura—another detail he had deliberately cultivated.

Why would the Young Master from the Northern Wilderness busy himself with such tasks? He had stewards for that.

The Grand Elder calmly walked behind the low table. As if the environment itself prompted him, he sat down cross-legged, his posture notably upright.

Then, the Grand Elder sized up Wu Wang. The young man of the Human race had a rather ordinary face, a tall and straight figure, and his simple cloth shirt was stretched taut over his frame without appearing bulky in the slightest.

The Grand Elder’s tone remained even: "I am this sect’s Grand Elder. I have only recently emerged from seclusion and heard about your situation, so I’ve come to make some inquiries. Do you harbor any dissatisfaction at being detained here by us?"

He got straight to the point, calmly admitting they had detained Wu Wang and were not allowing him to leave, yet he showed no sign of feeling guilty.

A ruthless one, indeed.

Wu Wang, long prepared for this, showed a faint, bitter smile. His hands hung at his sides, his posture bolt upright, and his voice carried a hint of a sigh: "Brother Mao said he wished to repay me for saving his life. He brought me back to your esteemed sect to settle in and has shown me much consideration. However, in the eyes of the seniors here, I am indeed someone of unknown origin. Thus, any manner of questioning is not excessive."

He subtly hinted that he had done a favor for the Demonic Sect, not that he owed them anything.

"Very good." The Grand Elder nodded, a hint of a smile playing on his lips. "Where are you from?"

Wu Wang replied, "Before I came to the Human Domain, I resided in the East Sea."

"Where in the East Sea?"

"An island," Wu Wang said gravely. "I do not know its specific name."

The Grand Elder raised his left hand, his slender fingers moving slowly as he performed a calculation. Soon, his brows furrowed slightly.

He can’t divine it?

He considered himself an expert in the art of Divination. Yet, as he attempted to divine the fate of the young man before him, all he perceived was a vast, misty whiteness. Such a situation meant one of two things: either this person did not truly exist in the world, or a Transcendent expert had deliberately concealed his destiny, preventing others from prying. This person was clearly alive and standing right before him. The answer could only be the latter.

The Grand Elder deliberately put on a stern expression: "Sit down. Give me your hand."

Wu Wang calmly assented. He rolled up his long sleeves and sat cross-legged on the cushion to the Grand Elder’s right. Like a patient consulting an old traditional physician, he extended his left hand. He was open and direct, his gaze unflinching.

"Senior, is this acceptable?"

The Grand Elder didn’t reply. He placed a finger on Wu Wang’s palm, and wisps of blood-red vital energy began to seep into it. Soon after, the Grand Elder nodded slightly.

Excellent aptitude, abundant Spiritual Energy, aligned with the Dao of Fire, Condensation Establishment Realm cultivation.

The Grand Elder asked, "Have you ever consumed some extraordinary natural treasure? Your Divine Thought is exceptionally strong, comparable to that of a Cultivator at the Nascent Soul or even the Jumping God Realm."

He only saw through the second layer of my disguise?

Wu Wang said, "I once consumed a type of Spirit Fruit. It was a near-death experience at the time."

"That was indeed a great fortune. It must have added considerably to your Lifespan and removed many obstacles from your cultivation path." The Grand Elder’s voice softened inadvertently. He didn’t press for details about the fortuitous encounter, showing Wu Wang the necessary respect.

This actually made Wu Wang feel quite comfortable.

The Grand Elder did not withdraw his finger. He asked, "How did you come to know my martial nephew, Mao Aowu?"

Wu Wang didn’t hide anything. He recounted how he had chanced upon Mao Aowu, saved him, and how Mao Aowu later found him and brought him back to the Demonic Sect while he was drunk.

After finishing his account, Wu Wang said, "I have already imposed upon your esteemed sect for some time. This junior still has urgent matters to attend to..."

"What matters?" The Grand Elder gazed intently at Wu Wang, a smile playing on his lips. "What is it that we might be able to assist you with? I, myself, will personally take action to repay this favor. Go on, tell me."

Wu Wang pondered for a few moments, then decided to speak the truth.

When facing a master whose cultivation realm is so much higher, especially such an old fox, a hundred lies are worth less than a single truth.

Wu Wang said, "I wish to find a Sect to accept me as a disciple, so I may pursue Cultivation in peace hereafter."

The Grand Elder’s tone sharpened. "What? Our Wind Great Demon Sect of the Black Desire Door—a confluence of three great schools and possessor of three profound techniques—do you mean to say you find none of them to your liking?"

"Senior, please do not misunderstand." Wu Wang withdrew his left hand and said earnestly, "In this junior’s humble opinion, the path of Cultivation originates from the heart, begins with Dao Enlightenment, and only then can one achieve Divine Skills. Your esteemed Sect’s Cultivation Techniques are profound and unfathomable, top-tier among Demonic Cultivation methods. Whether one cultivates the Demon Path or the Immortal Path, neither is inherently superior; they are merely two different routes up the same mountain. All paths lead to the Great Dao, and all members of the Human race share a common origin. Your esteemed Sect is a renowned major Sect in the Great Wilderness. Surely, you would not go out of your way to make things difficult for an insignificant junior like myself. This junior cultivates the Dao of Fire, following the path of absorbing pure energy. I have no intention of switching to other profound methods and am thus truly unsuited for your esteemed Sect."

The Grand Elder stroked his beard, humming softly. He seemed somewhat hesitant before saying, "Who says our Sect only possesses methods of Demonic Cultivation?"

"This junior also holds your Sect in high regard and wishes to foster a positive relationship for the future," Wu Wang said with a smile. "I have prepared a small gift; I wonder if it might be of some assistance to your Sect."

"You are thoughtful." The Grand Elder smiled. "What is this gift?"

Wu Wang rose and walked over to the desk where he had been writing, returning with a scroll he had prepared.

It was just a little something: an ordinary development plan for a Sect.

「 」

That Wu Wangzi... Hmph! This time, he’s definitely done for!

Mid-air above the valley, the scar-faced man flew slowly on his cloud, the corners of his mouth curling into a confident smile. As his nephew, he knew the Grand Elder’s temperament all too well. The old man, titled Blood Demon, was quite renowned within the Human Domain. He had spilled blood across the North Border, charged through the endless beast-infested mountains of Central Mountain, and served with distinction in the Benevolent Emperor Pavilion for a thousand years before retiring, just half a step away from becoming Transcendent! The battle that truly established the Grand Elder’s reputation occurred thousands of years ago. He fought the leader of the Heavenly Crow Clan and slew their general, who had a Lifespan of thirty thousand years. Because of this victory, their Wind Great Demon Sect of the Black Desire Door soared dramatically in the rankings of Demonic Sects! In the Grand Elder’s eyes, the Sect’s honor was paramount. This Wu Wangzi, relying on Elder Mao’s protection, actually dared to think he could leave this valley and join an Immortal Sect! Such a thing was inconceivable, not even in dreams! Was he looking down on the Cultivation Methods of their Wind Great Demon Sect of the Black Desire Door? Others might be constrained by Elder Mao’s intimidating presence, but the Grand Elder wouldn’t care about that in the slightest! Perhaps that brat had already been turned into a pool of blood, smashed into pulp by a single slap from the Grand Elder.

At this thought, the scar-faced man, who had been gloomy for a long time, broke into a hideous grin. His demeanor lost some of its usual ferocity, replaced by an almost spring-like cheerfulness.

A Formation’s light flashed up ahead, and the valley’s famously warm-hued palace came into view. The scar-faced man jolted, instantly tensing up and becoming extremely alert.

What a joke! He was a provisional Elder and a Sect enforcer; how could he possibly fear the Elders of his own Sect? It was just a tiny bit of fear, that’s all.

Their Great Demon Sect was originally a combination of three smaller Demonic Sects. The old Sect Master, with a grand wave of his hand, decided to preserve the honorary titles of the three sects, thus giving rise to the name—Wind Great Demon Sect of the Black Desire Door.

The Black Desire Door lineage had been famous since the era of Emperor Fuxi, specializing in seductive arts and illusions. Their techniques were formidable on the battlefield, often causing humanoid Beast Hordes with poor self-control to make fools of themselves, their spiritual minds unable to focus, leaving them vulnerable to slaughter. However, the Cultivation Technique of the Black Desire Door was quite peculiar: practitioners had to maintain their virginity. The day they lost it, their seductive power would become fixed at its current level. Furthermore, after a female practitioner’s first sexual encounter, the male Cultivator involved would lose all his cultivation and much of his Lifespan. It was tantamount to the male Cultivator sacrificing himself.

Elder Miao was extraordinarily talented. Even as a youth, her beauty was renowned. After she began practicing the seductive arts, her every move became utterly captivating. Once she was promoted to Elder, she took even greater delight in teasing the men of the valley. A mere glance, a subtle gesture, or even an unintentional light laugh from her could set any male Cultivator who had yet to develop a Primordial Spirit aflame with desire. As a result, the pleasure houses in the nearest town to their dwelling had flourished for thousands of years.

Unbearable, irresistible! She was a true femme fatale!

The scar-faced man silently recited the Heart-clearing method, a technique passed down by Immortal Sects, several times. He then took a deep breath and called out in his most rounded baritone: "Elder Miao, the Grand Elder requests your presence."

After speaking, the scar-faced man waited with his head bowed for a while. He began to wonder if a Soundproofing Array had been activated, as there was no response whatsoever.

Elder Miao, due to her Cultivation Methods, has always lived alone and never taken any disciples. She should be cultivating right now...

"Elder Miao—"

"Scram! This Elder is vexed right now! Go ask whoever you please, just don’t bother me!"

GULP. The scar-faced man’s Adam’s apple bobbed, his voice trembling slightly.

Even Elder Miao’s curses sounded uniquely charming.

The scar-faced man quickly lowered his head again and called out, "Elder Miao, the Grand Elder has just emerged from seclusion! He requests your presence at Fellow Daoist Wu Wangzi’s residence."

WHOOSH!

In the blink of an eye, a pink silhouette appeared before the scar-faced man. He instinctively looked up but immediately pinched his thigh hard, silently reciting the Heart-clearing method as he forced his head down again.

Just one glance, and his usually resilient demonic heart was almost entirely captivated.

She was tall and slender, hovering three inches above the ground. Dressed in only two layers of translucent silk, her skin was fairer than frost and snow. Her long, black hair cascaded like a waterfall, complementing her long, shapely legs and slender, wasp-like waist. Her delicate face exuded feminine charm, yet deep within her eyes lay a hint of worldly innocence. Hers were willow-leaf brows and phoenix eyes, her dimples accentuating her red lips. A single glance from her could plunge one into a dreamlike stupor, as if half a lifetime had been idly wasted in that one moment.

And this was Elder Miao *without even using* her seductive arts!

At this moment, she frowned slightly, looking somewhat dejected. Her voice lacked its usual languor. "Who did you just say? My father went to Wu Wangzi’s residence?"

"Yes. The Grand Elder emerged from seclusion and went straight to Wu Wangzi’s residence. He requests you to join him. You mentioned before... about wanting to abandon your seductive arts... The Grand Elder is likely concerned about this."

"Was it you who informed him?"

"How would this subordinate dare..."

"Hmph!" Elder Miao’s face turned as cold as frost. Suddenly, a pink glimmer flashed in her eyes. Though the scar-faced man kept his head down, he began to breathe heavily, his face flushing crimson.

"Lift your head."

"Elder Miao, this subordinate has absolutely no inappropriate... thoughts... towards you..." Muttering, his eyes glazed with obsession, the scar-faced man unconsciously reached out to embrace the shoulders of the woman before him.

Elder Miao pursed her lips. With a delicate flip of her hand and a flick of her fingers, a crimson Elixir shot straight into the scar-faced man’s mouth.

The scar-faced man’s body shuddered a few times. Elder Miao had already vanished back into her pavilion, leaving behind a single sentence: "Return and report. I will be there after I change my clothes."

"Elder, what... what did you give this subordinate to eat?"

From the warm pavilion, a light snort was heard, followed by the sound of splashing water.

"The Dan Yuan Elixir. Consuming it quells jealousy. This Treasure Elixir was originally prepared for my future lovers, to prevent them from constantly vying for favor and annoying me. You’ve gotten off cheaply. Well? Still not leaving? Or perhaps you wish to stay and help this Elder complete her cultivation breakthrough?"

"This subordinate... this subordinate wouldn’t dare."

The scar-faced man hastily checked himself over, then turned and flew away in a hurry.

’Consuming it quells jealousy’? What does that mean? That I won’t feel jealous anymore?

The scar-faced man pondered briefly, his mind heavy with thoughts. Wu Wang’s figure unconsciously appeared before his eyes, and he suddenly felt...

That fellow Wu Wangzi is rather good-looking. Perhaps he truly possesses some exceptional qualities for the Elders to value him so highly. I wonder if the Grand Elder was provoked and already struck him dead? If he really killed him, well, it’s no great loss... though it would be a pity to lose such a talent from the Human race. Sigh, the Grand Elder’s fiery temper... Did I... make a mistake?

As these thoughts tumbled through the scar-faced man’s mind, he spotted Wu Wangzi’s unwarded stone house in the distance. Before he could draw closer on his cloud, a burst of hearty laughter drifted to him on the wind.

Is that... the Grand Elder’s laughter?

"Excellent! Truly marvelous! Young friend, with your help, our Sect might be able to contend for a spot among the top ten Demonic Sects within a thousand years! Come, come! I’ll have someone send wine over. Today, neither of us shall return until we are thoroughly drunk! Let’s make our Demonic Sect bigger and stronger! Let’s do it!"

The scar-faced man hovered in mid-air, tilting his head. Utter confusion was written all over his scarred face.

Ancestral Sect Masters above, what in the world is happening here?

...

...

(Note: The origin of the "Dan Yuan Elixir" is from the name of a mountain in the "Classic of Mountains and Seas." On Dan Yuan Mountain, the land is filled with water without any grass or trees, and it cannot be climbed. There is a creature there, like a badger with a mane, called Lei. It reproduces on its own, and those who eat it do not become jealous. "Classic of Mountains and Seas," South Mountain Scripture)