Volume One: The Nature of the Devil Never Changes
Arc: The Great Guerrilla War
Scarlet King and Ikalath moved toward the rock where the Wood Lotus Emperor Monk had once manifested, near the entrance of the Cosmic Cave.
They descended quietly.
The rock still bore lush green grass and fertile soil,
as though time had never touched it.
Suddenly—
The monk's lingering will materialized once more.
His aged voice echoed across the void:
"Whoever eradicates the Four Great Sects…
shall inherit my legacy."
The declaration repeated.
Scarlet King showed no reaction.
He withdrew several beast cores from his spatial coat.
Carefully, he placed them upon the ground—forming three interlocking circles.
An outer ring.
A middle ring.
A small circle at the center.
Each layer contained three seventh- and eighth-rank cores, forming a triple-tiered concealment formation.
The moment the arrangement was complete—
A transparent ripple expanded outward from the floating landmass suspended in the starry void.
It enveloped everything.
Then—
The entire landmass disappeared.
Scarlet King scanned the surroundings.
Cultivators traversed the void nearby—
Yet none could see the floating land.
None could perceive Scarlet King.
Nor Ikalath.
"Good," Scarlet King said calmly.
"It worked. Let's return."
Before departing, he thought:
(Even if the Four Great Sects are destroyed…
No one will ever discover the Lotus Emperor's inheritance here.)
Then—
He sensed it.
A faint killing intent.
Subtle.
Like perfume laced with blood.
He could not determine its source.
He ignored it.
And followed Ikalath.
[Thousands of Universes Away — Heavenly Food Sect Prison]
Long Wei sat calmly, reading books on cultivation and realm advancement.
A guard entered.
"You have a visitor."
The prison cell was simple:
Cold gray stone walls.
A narrow bed covered with a blue blanket.
A modest wooden shelf.
A table where Long Wei studied.
The bars were thin—
Yet forged with restrictive formations powerful enough to prevent escape.
A shadow shifted before him.
A slender figure in green robes stepped forward.
A folded fan concealed half his smile.
Wei Xia Mo.
He bowed slightly.
"Greetings, Leader. I came to visit you."
Long Wei slammed his palm onto the table.
A portion shattered under the impact.
Wei Xia Mo remained composed.
"Oh? I did not expect you to break through to the Beginning of Path while imprisoned."
"Which path did you choose?"
Long Wei's voice dropped into a low growl.
"I want Gu Yue dead… by any means."
Then, louder:
"Xia Mo!"
"Send an assassin."
"Beginning of Path realm."
"Immediately."
Wei Xia Mo nodded slowly.
"As you wish."
"A Beginning of Path assassin will be dispatched."
"Gu Yue will not see tomorrow's sunrise."
He tilted his head slightly.
"But you never answered me."
"Which core path did you select?"
Long Wei's eyes darkened.
"The Dao of Tyranny."
"A path that amplifies strength as battle prolongs."
"The greater the anger… the stronger the resonance."
"But…"
He paused.
"It risks loss of control."
Wei Xia Mo's laughter was soft—almost feminine.
"The Tyrant Path?"
"Excellent."
He snapped his fan shut.
"I will take my leave… and visit the Dragon Gang's assassin division."
He departed.
But inwardly, his thoughts twisted.
(Who said I would send someone strong enough to kill Gu Yue?)
(I want him alive.)
(A rival—not a corpse.)
(If he dies, my victory over him will never be complete.)
A faint smile curved his lips.
He produced a yellow flying communication talisman.
With spiritual force, he inscribed:
"Dispatch Qi Condensation cultivators to injure Gu Yue—
but do not kill him."
"I want him alive."
He released it.
The talisman shot through the void toward the Dragon Gang's assassination headquarters.
[Millions of Universes Away — Great Heaven's Grip Sect]
Scarlet King and Ikalath approached the sect gates.
They descended.
The gates were open.
Xiao Mo stood there.
Beautiful.
Composed.
Watching.
They attempted to walk past her.
She grabbed Scarlet King's arm firmly.
"I need to speak with you, outsider."
Scarlet King exchanged a glance with Ikalath.
Then turned back.
Xiao Mo pulled him toward a secluded corner—
Pressed him lightly against a wall.
"How did you enter the sect without authorization?"
"Who permitted it?"
Scarlet King chuckled softly.
He raised his hand and brushed a strand of hair from her face.
A faint blush appeared on her cheeks.
"Oh?"
"Is the beautiful young lady upset?"
"Ikalath is my sworn brother."
"I came to visit him."
"Is that unacceptable?"
Her tone softened.
"It's not unacceptable…"
"But if you visit Ikalath…"
"You should visit me too."
"We are friends now."
Inside, Scarlet King smiled coldly.
(So simple.)
(A few words, a touch of charm—)
(And she already considers me a friend.)
(This will make approaching He Xuan's heir far easier.)
(Naturally, the First Elder's daughter would be close to her.)
(And thus… my plan advances.)
He spoke gently, idly twisting a strand of her hair.
"Very well."
"I shall visit you tonight."
"We can talk."
"What do you think?"
Her face flushed a deeper shade of peach.
She stepped back slightly.
"You're quite bold."
"Call me Sister Mo."
"No need for formality."
"We're friends… aren't we?"
Inwardly, she thought:
(Handsome… confident… powerful…)
(Like the knight in every girl's dream.)
(But if the other sect girls notice him…)
(I must claim him first.)
She tilted her head slightly.
"What is your name, handsome?"
"And may I see your face?"
Scarlet King feigned modesty.
"My name is Gu Yue."
"And of course… I will show you."
He removed the cloth covering his face.
Xiao Mo waited in anticipation.
White-and-black hair cascaded down.
A smooth, captivating face.
Eyes—one white, one black.
Like yin and yang entwined.
Light and void coexisting.
She froze.
A faint thread of saliva escaped unconsciously.
"Wow…"
"You're beautiful."
She grabbed his cheeks.
Pinched them playfully.
"They're so soft… I could bite them."
Scarlet King laughed lightly.
But inwardly—
He sensed danger.
And thought:
(Humans treat emotions as treasure.)
(In truth… they are chains.)
(Those who follow feelings blindly…)
(Often meet tragic ends.)