[POV: Zhong Fu]

  I, Zhong Fu, first of my name, Elder of the Celestial Blood Cult, and a Core Formation practitioner, had witnessed countless grotesque sights in my long life. Ritual sacrifices, forbidden arts, domains collapsing into blood and flame. Yet never had I seen something as deeply unsettling as what unfolded before me.

  “All hail the Heavenly Demon!” the Phantasm Star Sect cultivator screamed, his voice shrill and broken, just before he was swallowed whole by the mountain painting.

  The scroll snapped shut with a sharp *whump. Lang Bo hurriedly rolled it up and stashed it into his storage ring, as if even lingering a second longer might invite contamination. Only then did he turn, his expression taut, toward the woman collapsing nearby.

  “Xin Chin, let me take a look at you,” he said.

  Lang Bo was a direct disciple of the illustrious Azure Blood Physician, a man whose medical arts were revered even among demonic paths. Xin Chin, however, could barely respond. She retched violently, thick black blood spilling from her lips and splattering onto the ground.

  “Lie down,” Lang Bo instructed, already kneeling beside her. Silver needles flashed between his fingers as he began applying acupuncture with practiced precision.

  I stepped closer, my gaze fixed on Xin Chin. “Why did your illusion fail?”

  Of all the members dispatched to acquire the Meteor Child, Xin Chin was the most accomplished illusionist of her generation. She had even contracted the legendary Laughing Demon of the Lust Jar, a feat that spoke volumes of her talent and ambition.

  Coughing violently, Xin Chin forced out an answer. “Apologies, Elder… I’m unsure.”

  More black blood spilled from her mouth, steaming faintly as it hit the soil.

  “Don’t strain yourself,” Lang Bo said quickly. “Elder, she needs time.”

  I frowned. This was already far more troublesome than I had anticipated. I had been sent under the assumption that brute force would suffice and that my presence alone would crush any resistance. Yet now, it was clear the significance of the Meteor Child far exceeded our initial assessment.

  That Phantasm Star Sect cultivator had been ‘touched’ by something. Of that, I was certain. But by what, exactly?

  I prided myself on my knowledge. I had studied the annals of my cult, and memorized the names and legends of infamous demonic existences across eras. And yet, never had I encountered a title as grand, as ominous, as ‘Heavenly Demon’ spoken in that way.

  After a brief pause, I spoke. “I grant you permission to save her life.”

  “Loyalty!” Lang Bo cried immediately, his voice filled with fervor, as he redoubled his efforts.

  The treatment took half a day.

  When it was finally done, Xin Chin rose unsteadily and cupped her fist toward me. “I apologize for wasting time, Elder. I have recovered.”

  She still looked pale, but the difference was unmistakable. Not only had her life force stabilized, it had increased in amount.

  “Impressive healing abilities, Lang,” I remarked.

  “Ha ha ha~! I’m not that great,” he replied with an easy laugh.

  I fixed him with a cold stare. “Do not laugh.”

  Both of them stiffened immediately. The memory of that screaming cultivator being dragged into madness was still fresh in their minds.

  “I apologize, Elder,” Lang Bo said, bowing his head.

  Then he turned to Xin Chin, his tone shifting. “The healing method I used has… certain unpleasant side effects. I hope you will forgive me.”

  Xin Chin’s eyes narrowed dangerously. “You dare. Don’t tell me—”

  “It’s not that bad,” Lang Bo said quickly. “Just a change in dietary needs, that’s all.”

  “My clan will hear of this—”

  “Oh, please,” Lang Bo scoffed, “as if you’re that important in your clan, half-breed—”

  I released my spiritual pressure.

  The air itself seemed to congeal, crushing down on them like a mountain of blood-soaked intent.

  “ENOUGH!”

  Silence fell instantly.

  As they bowed their heads, I stared into the distance, my thoughts churning. The Meteor Child. The Heavenly Demon. The madness. This mission was no longer a simple acquisition.

  Something far older and far more dangerous had already entered the board.

  We had already lost far too much time between the detour, the unexpected resistance, and now this. My patience thinned.

  “I understand immaturity and the occasional banter,” I warned, letting a sliver of pressure seep into my voice, “because you two are still youngsters. However, you should consider the time and place for your bickering. Do I make myself clear?”

  “Yes, Elder,” Lang Bo answered immediately.

  “It won’t happen again,” Xin Chin added, lowering her head.

  Only then did I turn my attention fully to her. “How is the Laughing Demon? Enlighten us. The illusion arts of your clan are renowned for their pervasive nature and their ability to isolate caster and target completely. How is it possible that you suffered backlash?”

  Xin Chin closed her eyes, her expression tightening as she inspected her meridians and her contracted demon. After a long breath, she opened them again.

  Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  “The Laughing Demon is severely injured,” she said quietly. “As for the backlash… I believe it came from whatever was imbued within that cultivator. I remember dark fire. Then I lost consciousness.”

  She hesitated before continuing. “It’s very odd. My Laughing Demon forces a target into hypnosis from another dimension by invoking uncontrollable laughter. Yet it was almost incinerated. A strange power had been ‘transplanted’ onto that cultivator, Elder. I do not mean to offend, but I must ask… what happened afterward? Did you kill him?”

  Lang Bo chose that moment to speak. “We sealed the cultivator in question. If possible, Elder, I would like to dissect him.”

  I frowned deeply. Dissect him? That would be an unforgivable waste. A mind like that was a treasure trove, filled with cultivation methods, insights, and hidden techniques. If anyone was to carve him open, it would be after everything useful had been extracted.

  “No,” I said flatly. “Our top priority remains the Meteor Child. Our only reliable lead is that she is still within this domain.”

  Lang Bo rubbed his chin, thinking. “That cultivator mentioned Xincheng.”

  “Then that will be our first stop,” I replied. “It would not hurt to begin there and gather information.”

  It was highly likely the Meteor Child had not yet left the domain. From interrogating the Phantasm Star Sect cultivators, I learned they too had been pursuing the Meteor Child… Worse, two other righteous sects had also attempted to acquire the child. Fortunately, they also failed.

  Still, too many hands were already reaching for the same prize.

  I looked at both of them, my gaze heavy. “Do not let your guard down. The Earthly Seal Domain harbors secrets even our ancestors failed to uncover. Even someone of my realm and status is vulnerable to what this domain’s hidden powerhouses possess.”

  I turned away, already setting our course. “We will remain low-profile until we obtain solid information on the Meteor Child. Recklessness will only hasten our deaths.”

  The hunt was far from simple.

  The Celestial Strategist had emphasized the importance and danger of this mission. I believed I understood what kind of peril awaited us, yet it was becoming increasingly clear that there were elements in play far beyond my expectations, things even I had failed to account for.

  We reached Xincheng by dusk, passing through the towering gates while posing as wandering martial artists. I had sternly warned the two of them to behave properly, but it seemed I was asking for the impossible.

  “Hi, hi~! I am a martial artist of the Demonic Wind Style,” Xin Chin announced cheerfully, her laughter bubbling out in a strange cadence. “Fufufufufufufu~!”

  Lang Bo struck a ridiculous stance beside her and added proudly, “And I’m a traveling pharmacist who is also a martial artist, specializing in assassination!”

  I struck both of them on the head at once and seized them by the back of their collars. What kind of fools introduced themselves like that? Did they truly lack even the most basic sense of discretion? Demonic? Assassination? Were those words meant to invite arrest?

  They looked utterly shameless.

  I wondered if my expectations had been too high. Or perhaps this was simply the nature of the Celestial Blood Cult. We had always attracted eccentrics, and demonic techniques were notorious for warping one’s personality over time. Still, this level of idiocy felt dangerous. Considering the importance of this mission, they should have sent more experienced hands instead of leaving me to babysit these two.

  I cleared my throat and spoke before the guards could react. “Forgive my juniors. It’s their first time traveling outside their martial sect.” I emphasized the word ‘martial’ for effect.

  The guard stared at us with open suspicion, his eyes lingering far too long on Xin Chin’s grin and Lang Bo’s awkward pose. For a brief moment, I considered intimidating him and forcing our way through, but we had already judged the city’s security to be tight. Entering openly through the front gate was the wiser option, especially with rumors that a disciple of the Dream King was currently in Xincheng.

  I had already ordered Xin Chin and Lang Bo to suppress their cultivation to mundane levels, yet they still managed to draw attention with their mouths alone.

  The guard coughed awkwardly before speaking. “I’ll let you off this time, but take this as a warning. There’s been a demonic sighting recently, and people are sensitive about such matters. If you’re going to joke about demons, you should think more carefully about your words. Now then, names?”

  “The name’s Zhong Fu,” I replied calmly. “The lad is Lang Bo, and the lass is Xin Chin.”

  He nodded and made a note on his tablet. “Good. I’ve recorded your appearances. If trouble occurs and your descriptions reach the constables, you’d best pray you aren’t involved on the wrong side of the fence. Xincheng is seeing many visitors from across the domain these days.”

  Xin Chin tilted her head innocently. “Didn’t the sect recruitment already end?”

  The guard shrugged. “Probably thanks to Lord Yakuza. You’ll understand if you ask around. Now move along, you’re blocking the line.”

  And just like that, we were allowed inside Xincheng.

  As we passed through the gates, I couldn’t help but reflect that their exaggerated introductions had worked in our favor. The guards had taken them for jokes rather than threats. Whether that was luck or stupidity, I wasn’t sure.

  Xin Chin complained the moment we were out of the guards’ earshot, her lips curling in displeasure. “Elder, that guard was far too arrogant. We should have taught him a lesson.”

  Lang Bo nodded enthusiastically. “He looked quite healthy too. I’d love to taste his eyes.”

  I stopped walking and turned on them, my gaze cold. “Don’t even think about it. The entire city is covered by a barrier formation that detects demonic qi. One careless indulgence and you’ll alert half of Xincheng.”

  They both fell silent.

  “Xin Chin,” I continued, “analyze the formation as soon as possible. I want a full report later. Lang Bo, stay alert and note anything that feels out of place.”

  Demonic cultivators were terrible at restraint. The more they indulged their desires and demonic inclinations, the more demonic qi leaked from them. Xin Chin and Lang Bo were no exception. I was likely the only one among us who could maintain proper control, and that was only because failure meant my own cultivation would collapse inward and destroy me from the inside.

  We found an inn not far from the main road. A red lantern swayed above its entrance, and the sign read ‘Red Ember Inn’. The place was lively, filled with travelers and low chatter.

  “A room for a week,” I said to the woman behind the counter.

  She handed over the keys and gestured lazily toward the staircase. “Third floor. Just head up.”

  Once inside our room, I raised a qi barrier to seal the space. Drawing untainted qi was normally impossible for demonic cultivators, but I could manage it, though it taxed my mind considerably.

  I folded my arms and looked at them. “So. What do you think?”

  Lang Bo spoke first, his expression unusually serious. “There’s an abnormal number of law enforcement personnel. Most of them are disguised as civilians, but their physiques give them away. They’re trained in martial arts and armed with concealed weapons. Each of them carries a strange energy signature, likely from talismans rather than artifacts. That would make sense if the disciple of the Dream King is here. The Dream King always been famous for talismans and illusion techniques.”

  He paused, then continued, “What’s strange is the timing. The sect guests have already left, yet security has increased. From the people we tortured for information earlier, their search was disrupted by a cultivator wearing a fox mask. That person might be connected to the heightened security. A demonic sighting could also explain it, but neither explanation feels sufficient. I believe all this effort is meant to protect someone. Or something. The Meteor Child.”

  He looked at me. “I’m confident we’re in the right place, elder.”

  I nodded slightly. Lang Bo had always been known for his sharp mind, even within the cult. The Azure Blood Physician had truly taken in a rare talent.

  I then turned to Xin Chin. “And you? What do you think of the barrier formation?”

  She smiled, confidence shining in her eyes. “Six anchor points. If we destroy one, the Dream King’s disciple will be forced to repair it personally. That’s when we ambush her with our superior numbers. She’ll be the greatest obstacle in acquiring the Meteor Child.”

  Her words carried more than strategy. There was hostility there. Her clan’s illusion arts rivaled those of the Dream King, and beneath that rivalry lay a deeper resentment. The Dream King had been a notorious demon hunter, and one of his recent targets had been the Lust Clan of the Celestial Blood Cult.

  I considered her proposal carefully before nodding. “It’s a sound strategy. We’ll proceed that way.”

  I lowered the barrier slightly, my eyes narrowing. “But first, we lay the groundwork. No reckless moves. One mistake here, and we won’t get a second chance.”