Chapter 95: First Steps on the Demonic Path (7) |
Su Chen's expression remained unchanged. "So that's how it is. Senior Sister Luo and I are practically family."
Luo Hongying nodded with a soft laugh. "When I returned to the sect and learned that Junior Brother Zhou had become a true disciple, I was genuinely shocked. After some investigation, I discovered you are the surviving son of my former teachers. In just over two years, you rose from an ordinary outer disciple straight to true disciple status. Truly…"
Before she could finish, Su Chen flicked his sleeve. Sword qi surged forth, aimed straight at Luo Hongying's neck. She did not move a muscle. The faint smile stayed fixed on her lips.
Su Chen held back from completing the strike. This woman was far too calm!
Luo Hongying casually smoothed a stray lock of hair that had fallen across her face. "Junior Brother, no need to get excited. Your senior sister simply stumbled upon a few little secrets by chance. If you kill me now… those secrets will spread across the entire sect by tomorrow morning. I'm sure you wouldn't want your secrets laid bare for all to see."
Su Chen waved his sleeve again, retracting the sword qi. He had never expected the remnants of the Primordial Remnant Clan to be so unreliable that they left behind such a glaring loose end. If his true identity were exposed now, he would die without even a grave.
"Speak. What exactly do you want me to do?"
Luo Hongying had uncovered a trace of something and chosen to keep it secret, coming here alone. Was it truly because of his parents—to offer a warning?
Su Chen was no fool. For a woman to climb to true disciple status in a demonic sect like the Sun-Devouring Sacred Land, she had to be someone who devoured others without spitting out the bones. A few words of mentorship from her teachers, or even personally slaying those same teachers—if the profit was sufficient, she would act without hesitation.
Luo Hongying gave a word of praise before continuing. "Have you heard of the Primordial Tomb?"
Su Chen nodded.
Luo Hongying narrowed her eyes. "I want you to join forces with me inside the Primordial Tomb. Together, we eliminate several of the sect's ranked true disciples. If we succeed, rest assured—your secret will remain safe with me forever."
Su Chen showed mild surprise. "Senior Sister's methods are truly bold… Very well. I accept. I only ask that you keep your word."
Seeing how readily he agreed, Luo Hongying remained half-skeptical. She issued one final warning. "Then we will speak again inside the Primordial Tomb. In the meantime, Junior Brother, do not try anything clever. If I die, your secret will flood the sect the very next day."
Su Chen waved his hand with a wry smile. "Senior Sister jests. I have no desire to become the target of the entire sect. My quick agreement simply shows that I understand the wisdom of knowing when to yield."
The wariness in Luo Hongying's eyes finally faded. She rose slowly, preparing to leave the residence.
Suddenly, she turned back. "There is one thing Senior Sister still does not understand… Are you still… truly my Junior Brother?"
Su Chen frowned slightly. "What does Senior Sister mean by that?"
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Luo Hongying offered no answer. She gave a light laugh and vanished from Red Sun Peak.
The moment he sensed her departure, the confusion in Su Chen's eyes disappeared completely. In their place surged an overwhelming, murderous intent that had lain dormant for thousands of years. His ancient, unshakable state of mind was finally stirred into violent waves. He could no longer remember the last time anyone had dared threaten him like this.
Moreover, Luo Hongying had vaguely touched upon his greatest secret!
"Being too clever… will get you killed."
In Su Chen's heart, Luo Hongying had already been sentenced to death. She did not know of the Primordial Remnant Clan's existence. By sheer coincidence, she had mistaken him for some ancient powerhouse who had seized a new body and begun cultivation anew. Yet… that guess was, in fact, the closest thing to the truth.
Several days later, Su Chen left the Sun-Devouring Sacred Land for a brief trip.
When Zhou Yi learned about Luo Hongying, his face drained of color. "Sovereign, rest assured. A mere true disciple means nothing. We will make her vanish from this world—along with everyone connected to her. Your secret will never be exposed!"
Su Chen cast a cold glance at Zhou Yi. For the first time, he felt genuine disappointment toward the Primordial Remnant Clan. This group might one day drag him down to his grave without even realizing it.
"All you need to do is quietly investigate Luo Hongying's contingencies. Do not act rashly. If a true disciple suddenly dies along with a large number of her associates, it will only arouse the Sacred Lord's suspicion at the worst possible moment. Everything waits until we enter the ancient tomb. Once inside, I will personally eliminate her myself."
Zhou Yi's eyes lit up. "As expected of the Sovereign—your foresight is impeccable."
Su Chen issued the orders and left. If they couldn't even handle something this minor, he would seriously question how these so-called remnants had managed to survive under Zhou Hao's nose for so long.
Back inside the sacred land, Su Chen carried on as though nothing had happened, continuing his secluded cultivation.
Half a year passed quickly. Then a single piece of news shook the entire Western Regions. After thousands of years of absence, an ancient ruin had reappeared in the world!
Entry into the ancient ruin required a key. Even among sacred land-level sects, only a handful possessed them—and only true disciples qualified to use them. Outsiders stood no chance at all. The emergence of the ancient ruin even drew successors from powerful orthodoxies in the other four domains.
As a true disciple, Su Chen naturally received a key and the right to enter. When Luo Hongying caught sight of him, she flashed a provocative smile.
Su Chen returned a faint, knowing nod. The two shared a perfect tacit understanding. This time, the Sun-Devouring Sacred Land dispatched nineteen true disciples to the ancient ruin—including both Luo Hongying and Su Chen. Every single one stood at the Profound Connection realm.
Upon reaching the site, Su Chen immediately spotted several familiar orthodoxies. Right away, he witnessed prodigies from the Western Regions and Southern Barbarian Lands clashing fiercely. After all… the Southern Barbarian Lands had nearly been destroyed two thousand years earlier. Countless geniuses and powerhouses had perished. Only after centuries of painful recovery had they regained any vitality. Their hatred toward the Western Regions ran bone-deep.
Su Chen had no intention of intervening. He simply observed the opponents from both domains who were actually worth his attention… and who might one day become his prey.
With the appearance of the ancient ruin, an enormous bronze gate rose to blot out the sky. Only then did the conflict between the two domains pause. Everyone produced their keys in unison. Guided by the bronze radiance, they stepped inside.
Inside the ancient ruin, neither Su Chen nor Luo Hongying made any immediate move. They began exploring the ruins like everyone else. While the group was busy searching for treasures, a sudden surge of terrifying auras erupted within the team.
Without the slightest warning, several figures turned on their nearest companions and attacked. Two were instantly killed. Three more suffered grievous wounds. Before anyone could react, follow-up strikes landed. The three wounded fell dead as well. In the span of a breath, five true disciples perished. The remaining fourteen looked at one another.
"Heh. I didn't expect everyone to have the exact same idea."
One of the ranked true disciples shrugged casually, meeting the stunned yet wary gazes around him.
"The fewer true disciples there are in the sacred land, the more resources each of us receives. An opportunity like this doesn't come twice. Naturally, all of you must die. As long as you perish, my path to becoming a Saint becomes clear."
A purple-eyed youth spoke with calm indifference as he regarded the survivors.