"When it comes to courage and strategy, I only approve of courage. And as for strategy—can tricking an ignorant young maiden really be called strategy?"
"Jing Mingxuan, you may not look your age, but your heart is pitch black. What a waste of such a handsome face."
"Hurry up and sever ties with your master yourself, so the rest of us can still look you in the eye."
......
Faced with countless accusations and criticisms, Jing Mingxuan let them go in one ear and out the other, completely unbothered.
After all, nothing beats having the backing of a female Demon Emperor.
But Su Muchan could not take it any longer. Monstrous demonic qi erupted from her, instantly sweeping across the entire Ascension Avenue, Tianyan City, the Cloud Realm, and arguably the entire world.
All living beings trembled at that moment.
Yang Xiuyuan was dumbfounded as well. He had never expected Su Muchan to fly into a rage.
Shouldn't she have realized she was being deceived and flown into a fury?
Why was the development completely different from the script in his head?
"If any of you dare speak ill of my disciple again, I will grind your bones to dust."
This time, Su Muchan's voice lacked its previous gentleness. Her domineering aura leaked out completely, finally taking on the appearance proper to a generation's Demon Emperor.
If he hadn't known the original story, even Jing Mingxuan would have felt that taking Su Muchan as his master was like keeping company with a tiger ready to devour someone at any moment.
"Master, you don't need to get angry over this."
Su Muchan's icy expression instantly softened. She pouted her lips and said petulantly, "But they were just talking about you like that!"
"What they said was indeed excessive. So next time, I'll counterattack and make them pay a heavy price."
A faint smile curved the corners of Jing Mingxuan's lips.
His tone was neither light nor heavy, showing no sign of anger. The surrounding cultivators could not even sense a hint of threat in his voice.
The next instant, Jing Mingxuan looked toward the cultivators, his expression turning completely cold, his starry eyes brimming with murderous intent.
Only then did the cultivators realize that Jing Mingxuan meant business.
Yet Jing Mingxuan's cultivation was merely at the Second Layer of Transcendent Realm—what could he possibly use to counterattack?
(Realm hierarchy: Mortal Shedding, Transcendent, Qi Ocean Opening; Dao Entry, Huaxuan, Divine Wandering; King Sealing, War Emperor, Haozong; Origin Sage, Supreme Stage, Great Emperor Realm)
Chapter 3: Immortals Bestowing Blessings
Thinking it over, all the cultivators concluded that Jing Mingxuan's counterattack was just for show.
At that moment, Jing Mingxuan burst out laughing.
"Hahaha!"
"Yang Xiuyuan, by your logic, cultivators with inferior cultivation talent to mine are unworthy of taking the Empress as their master?"
With just a single sentence, the cultivators, who had previously formed a united front, were instantly divided into two camps.
Those whose cultivation talent was lower than Jing Mingxuan's glared at Yang Xiuyuan with unconcealed resentment.
Yang Xiuyuan naturally felt their gazes, but in his eyes, trash was not worth paying attention to.
"Of course!"
As soon as those words fell, the surrounding atmosphere grew even tenser.
The female protagonist raised an eyebrow. She had initially thought Yang Xiuyuan was quite smart.
Now it seemed he wasn't truly clever after all, having been dragged down by his own arrogance.
Meanwhile, the public opinion that had previously favored him was now faintly shifting in a disadvantageous direction.
After all, cultivators with talent inferior to Jing Mingxuan made up the vast majority.
"I'm really glad you aren't the Empress, otherwise many people present here wouldn't even be qualified to become her disciples."
Jing Mingxuan's remark naturally added fuel to the fire for the cultivators who were already dissatisfied with Yang Xiuyuan.
Yet Yang Xiuyuan remained as nonchalant as before.
"Yet neither my master nor the Empress cares about cultivation talent. So I'm curious—is something wrong with their brains, or is something wrong with yours?"
Jing Mingxuan's mouth curved upward slightly. This sentence had just pronounced a death sentence for Yang Xiuyuan.
To admit that something was wrong with him would destroy the inner conviction Yang Xiuyuan had upheld all along—his Dao heart.
A Dao heart was a matter of utmost importance.
Let alone being shattered, even the slightest crack would deal a devastating blow to one's future cultivation.
But if he insisted nothing was wrong with him and claimed that the brains of the female Demon Emperor and the female protagonist were the problematic ones, Jing Mingxuan wouldn't even need to lift a finger; Yang Xiuyuan would be exterminated by the female protagonist or Su Muchan right then and there!
Yang Xiuyuan stood dumbstruck, sweat pouring down his back.
He had never imagined Jing Mingxuan was so articulate, backing him directly into a hopeless dilemma.
After a long silence, Yang Xiuyuan simply kept quiet, as if hoping that silence would keep him alive.
Jing Mingxuan flashed a cold smile. "Master, kill him!"
The next moment, Yang Xiuyuan directly dissolved into a mist of blood, and a reek of carnage filled the air.
The surrounding cultivators finally snapped to their senses, realizing at last that Jing Mingxuan held the ultimate weapon in Su Muchan.One by one, they began to tremble with fear, especially the cultivators who had been denouncing him earlier.
"My disciple! Shall we kill those cultivators who spoke against you earlier?" Su Muchan's voice was sweet and melodious, forming a stark contrast to the words she spoke.
The cultivators felt a chill run down their spines and shivered uncontrollably.
Some of them had already opened their mouths, intending to beg for mercy.
Jing Mingxuan did not hesitate in the slightest, saying coldly and ruthlessly, "Kill every last one of them!"
Right now, he was the sole personal disciple of the Female Demon Emperor, the little demon lord in the eyes of the world, and the absolute villain of the novel.
Therefore, why should he show any mercy to those who targeted him?
A villain ought to look and act like a villain.
A succession of muffled explosions rang out, and mists of blood burst into being one after another.
The cultivators had wanted to denounce him, but upon seeing this horrific sight, they all shrank back in terror.
At this moment, the female lead remained completely indifferent.
These cultivators were not her disciples yet.
Furthermore, it was these cultivators who had provoked Jing Mingxuan first in the first place.
And finally, if she were to make a move herself, it wouldn't just be this handful of people dying—the entire Yun Realm would be obliterated in the blink of an eye.
"My disciple! Don't move for a moment."
Su Muchan's voice was soft and gentle. Paired with her graceful, fairy-like demeanor and peerless, jade-like face, one could never tell she was a ruthless demon lord who killed without blinking an eye.
Jing Mingxuan did not understand what Su Muchan was about to do, but he obediently remained motionless.
This absolute trust made Su Muchan feel immensely pleased.
Raising her right hand, white and flawless as jade, she gently placed it upon Jing Mingxuan's forehead.
The next instant, monstrous demonic Qi erupted forth and then poured directly into Jing Mingxuan's body.
The surrounding cultivators all assumed she was turning Jing Mingxuan into a demon.
What the female lead saw, however, was that Jing Mingxuan's cultivation aptitude was rapidly soaring, prompting her to murmur involuntarily, "An immortal bestowing a blessing by touching the crown?"
The surrounding cultivators were all dumbstruck!
An immortal touching the crown was an immensely powerful mystic technique.
It could vastly enhance the recipient's cultivation aptitude.
Yet, because it consumed the caster's own cultivation foundation, the vast majority of experts would never use such a move.
A moment later, Su Muchan withdrew her slender hand. Her once-rosy face showed a hint of fatigue, yet she still wore a very sweet smile.
"My disciple! I have already elevated your cultivation aptitude to Supreme Stage potential."
The corners of the cultivators' mouths twitched violently.
Especially those cultivators who had previously rejected Su Muchan's invitation to take her as a master—they were now filled with agonizing regret!Ascending from War Emperor potential to Supreme Stage potential directly crossed three major realms.
Although it did not reach the ultimate Great Emperor Tier potential, Great Emperor potential was extremely rare by nature, with perhaps not even a single one being born in ten thousand years.
Therefore, wanting to elevate one's potential to the Great Emperor level through an Immortal's Blessing was exceedingly difficult.
"Thank you, Master!" Jing Mingxuan immediately bowed and said.
Su Muchan asked curiously, "Are you satisfied with this master-apprenticeship gift?"
"Satisfied! I never even imagined I would receive such a thing!" Jing Mingxuan's tone was entirely sincere, which made Su Muchan very happy.
Seeing the slight curve of a smile at the corner of his master's mouth, Jing Mingxuan felt that he should also prepare a welcoming gift for her in return.
Recalling the plot from the original story, he thought of a certain item, and then he took hold of Su Muchan's soft, delicate hand, saying, "Master, come with me!"
Su Muchan's heart violently fluttered as she was pulled along.
Ever since her birth, she had only known cultivation and had never experienced anything else.
Watching the figures of the handsome man and the beautiful woman gradually disappear, the cultivators finally let go of their hanging hearts.
"Everyone, come forward to register and then offer your bows of discipleship," the female protagonist said.
Soon, the empress's disciple-reception ceremony came to an end.
The scene was quite spectacular.
Yet the female protagonist could not muster the slightest bit of interest.
"Everyone, my purpose in taking in disciples this time is precisely to counter that female Devil Emperor named Su Muchan."
"I have made a wager with her that in three years' time, the strongest disciples cultivated by each of us will fight a battle. Therefore, your opponent will be none of the others, but Jing Mingxuan."
"I know you might look down on him, but this battle determines the fate of the entire Xuantian Realm in the future. I hope you will all treat it with the utmost seriousness and not slack off."
"Those who become the strongest disciple under my seat in three years will be rewarded with a Supreme Stage magical treasure."
"And if you defeat Jing Mingxuan in three years, you will be additionally rewarded with a Great Emperor Tier magical treasure."
The cultivators all widened their eyes, never expecting the rewards to be so generous.
A Great Emperor Tier magical treasure!
There were some Great Emperor Realm cultivators in history who had lived their entire lives without ever possessing one!
"Everyone, I give you seven days to prepare. In seven days, I will take you to my Great Emperor Dao Field."
With these words, the female protagonist vanished from sight.Appearing once more in the high skies above Tianyan City, his gaze locked onto Jing Mingxuan and Su Muchan, who were already inside a market shop called Zhou's Sundries.
Within the Ascent Avenue.
You Feng caught sight of a familiar figure passing by and immediately called out, "Jing Song!"
The person who was called stopped in his tracks, tilted his head, and upon seeing You Feng, flashed a faint smile.
"Brother Feng! Did you need me for something?"
You Feng glanced around and said coldly, "Come with me!"
Jing Song felt a pang of reluctance, but fearing a beating from You Feng, he had no choice but to follow him to a secluded spot.
"You're Jing Mingxuan's cousin?" You Feng asked.
Jing Song understood what this was about instantly and began to curse inwardly.
*Damn Jing Mingxuan, you must have done something to displease Brother Feng!*
He quickly replied, "Yes!"
"Get rid of Jing Mingxuan. Once it's done, I'll back you to become the head of the Jing family. From then on, wherever I eat meat, you'll definitely get to drink soup—or even eat meat right alongside me," You Feng said, his expression solemn and his tone dead serious.
Jing Song was slightly taken aback.
He had witnessed Yang Xiuyuan's miserable death, so he knew the risks involved in this venture were immense.
Yet if he refused, Brother Feng would beat him half to death right now.
Death either way—so why not take a gamble?
"Brother Feng! I'd love to say yes, but..."
Before he could finish, You Feng produced a spatial pouch and tossed it directly to Jing Song.
Jing Song checked inside with his divine sense and discovered it was packed with good things.
"Alright! I will definitely get rid of Jing Mingxuan."
*Cousin!*
*Don't blame me.*
*Who asked Brother Feng to offer so much?*
Watching Jing Song's departing back, You Feng's poker face broke into a smug smile.
He had been terrified of dying the way Yang Xiuyuan did, which was why he chose to make Jing Song do the dirty work.
That way, success or failure, he himself would remain safe.
If it succeeded, the three-year pact would end early, and he could claim all the credit.
Well, well—Supreme Stage and Great Emperor Tier treasures, plus the favor of the Empress Master, would all belong to him, You Feng!
Further away, Jing Song curled the corners of his lips upward.
*Brother Feng!*
*You certainly gave a lot.*
*Yet if I kill my cousin, how could I possibly share the credit with you?*
*And if I fail, I'll definitely tell my cousin everything you did.*
*Oh ho ho!*
*If I'm going to die, I'm dragging someone down with me.*
Chapter 4: The Master's Gift
Tianyan City market.
A glance as far as the eye could see revealed nothing but crowds.
Jing Mingxuan instinctively tightened his grip around Su Muchan's slender hand, saying at the same time, "Master! Hold on tight to me from now on, otherwise..."
His voice cut off abruptly—not because of anything else, but because he suddenly remembered that with Su Muchan's cultivation, unless she chose not to follow him, getting lost was quite literally impossible.
"I'll hold on tight."
With that, Su Muchan also tightened her grip around Jing Mingxuan's large hand.
She seemed truly like a delicate, frail young woman.
Jing Mingxuan glanced sideways at Su Muchan and saw that her pure, immaculate face bore a soft, happy smile, her beautiful eyes curved into little crescent moons.
Well, well!
His master must have been deeply touched by his words just now!
Just as pure and innocent as she was in the original novel!
At this thought, scenes of the Demon Empress being hurt a thousand times over by the male protagonist flashed through Jing Mingxuan's mind.
*You scumbag of a male lead, I will never let you hurt my Master.*
*What's more, I am going to give Master a happy life she never had in the original story.*
Seeing the growing resolve in Jing Mingxuan's gaze, Su Muchan tilted her head slightly, her mind filled with confusion.
"Master, come with me!"
Jing Mingxuan snapped out of his thoughts and said gently.
Then the handsome man and the stunning woman stepped into the crowd, weaving their way through.
No matter how thick the throng, Jing Mingxuan and Su Muchan kept their hands tightly linked, the distance between them never exceeding half a step.
Though the goods in the Tianyan City market were not of the highest grade, their variety was the most complete.
Just about anything could be found here.
Jing Mingxuan's target today was a white silk hair ribbon mentioned in the original novel.
Don't let the hair ribbon fool you; it was actually a Great Emperor Tier treasure in its own right.
Due to unknown reasons it had shattered, and coupled with a layer of grime that refused to wash off, it had ended up as a piece of worthless junk that nobody cared about.
The item wasn't discovered by the protagonist group until the later stages of the original story, and even then, after buying it, it never appeared again all the way until the novel's grand finale.
Clearly, the white silk hair ribbon existed merely to highlight the protagonist group's discerning eye for treasure.
He was different, however—he intended to give it to his master as an initiation gift.
A moment later, Jing Mingxuan and Su Muchan stepped into a shop called Zhou's Sundries.
The store's merchandise was dazzling in its variety, with the most eye-catching—and by extension, the most expensive—items displayed right on the front counter.
"What can I get for you, patrons?" The shopkeeper stood up, his face wreathed in smiles as he asked in a warm tone.
Jing Mingxuan gave a calm response, "I'm just looking around."
The shopkeeper immediately sat back down. With customers like this, pushing recommendations on them would only breed annoyance.
Jing Mingxuan let go of Su Muchan's soft little hand and said, "Master, you go look around too. If there's anything you want, just take it."
In truth, he didn't believe there was anything in this shop capable of catching Su Muchan's eye.
Su Muchan gave a soft "Mn."
Before long, Jing Mingxuan spotted the white silk hair ribbon tucked away in a corner.
Before grabbing it, he first picked up two golden little bells, then casually picked up the white silk ribbon from the corner.
"Shopkeeper, if I buy these two little bells, can you throw this thing in as a freebie?"
The shopkeeper looked closely.
The two little bells were priced at two hundred lowest-grade spirit stones, whereas the white silk ribbon was priced at a mere single lowest-grade spirit stone, so giving it away was no issue at all.
Naturally, the most important thing was that this white silk ribbon was taking up space.
Selling it off early meant he could display something else in its place.
"Deal!"
Jing Mingxuan kept his expression steady while his heart soared with joy.
A Great Emperor Tier treasure—shattered though it might be, it certainly wouldn't be given away for free under normal circumstances!
Shifting his gaze to Su Muchan, he noticed she was holding a scabbard adorned with patterns of purple lotus flowers.
In the original novel, Master never used a sword, so why would she pick a scabbard?
Whatever!
If Master wanted it, they would buy it; he could afford it anyway.
"Master, have you chosen?"
Faced with Jing Mingxuan's query, Su Muchan obediently nodded and murmured an "Mn."
The shopkeeper felt a wave of puzzlement; in his eyes, it was Jing Mingxuan who looked more like the master.
Still, he kept his smiling face.
After all, he was here to do business and make money, not to roast or mock his customers.
"That will be two hundred and eighty lowest-grade spirit stones in total, patrons."
Once payment was settled.
Jing Mingxuan stashed the four items into his spatial ring.
"Master, let's go home."
At the same time, up in the firmament, the female lead stared in a daze, her pretty face plastered with shock.
Of the four items, two were Great Emperor Tier treasures.
Though the white silk hair ribbon was shattered, with sufficient materials, it could be repaired.
As for that scabbard, as long as one found a matching treasured sword, it could directly recover its Great Emperor Tier status.
Such good things were hidden away in a tiny place like Tianyan City.
The female lead found it utterly absurd.
Had she observed Jing Mingxuan and Su Muchan just a little earlier, she would have discovered something even more absurd—namely, that Jing Mingxuan and Su Muchan had headed straight for Zhou's Sundries without a moment's hesitation.
The space of a cup of tea later, Jing Mingxuan and Su Muchan arrived at his courtyard in the Jing family residence.
Inside the courtyard.
Jing Mingxuan summoned the scabbard, the white silk hair ribbon, and the two golden little bells.
"Master, use your energy to remove the grime from the white silk ribbon."
Su Muchan didn't ask why; she channeled her energy amidst her lingering doubts. The moment the grime dissipated completely, her eyes lit up!
Previously she had thought this thing was nothing more than a dirty rag, never imagining it was a shattered Great Emperor Tier treasure.
The layer of dirt had blocked her observation.
Could it be that her disciple's observational skills surpassed her own?
While she was still wondering, the two ends of the white silk ribbon had already been tied with a golden little bell each.
"Master, turn your back to me, I'll tie your hair."
Su Muchan's eyes narrowed, and she asked with profound astonishment, "Is this for me?"
"Yes! Master gave me such a precious initiation gift just now, so I wanted to give Master an initiation gift in return. This is just a mundane item; when I grow stronger in the future, I'll give Master a much better one." Jing Mingxuan was full of ambition, a light shining in his eyes.
A mist of moisture veiled Su Muchan's autumn-water-clear phoenix eyes.
Before taking him as her disciple, she wouldn't have felt this way, because she had always believed that sincerity was traded for sincerity.
It was precisely for this reason that she understood all the more profoundly just how genuine this disciple was toward her.
"No need! This initiation gift is already wonderful!"
Pretending to be completely clueless, Jing Mingxuan asked with a puzzled expression, "Why?"
"Look!" Su Muchan raised her jade hand and lightly tapped the white silk ribbon.
The next instant, the white silk ribbon gleamed even brighter than before, looking crystal-clear under the sunlight while radiating a faint trace of imperial might.
Jing Mingxuan feigned shock, widened his eyes, and asked with even greater bewilderment, "Why does this thing have imperial might?"
"It's a shattered Great Emperor Tier treasure."