Pain. Excruciating pain. An indescribable agony beyond words.
It spread to every corner of her body, from the inside out, from top to bottom — even her toenails weren't spared. The teeth in her mouth seemed unable to endure this pain either, and though she had lost control of her own body, they began to tremble.
Donggua felt as though she had been buried in darkness.
An endless, suffocating sea engulfed her completely.
No way to struggle. No way to be saved.
The searing pain seemed to go on forever and ever.
Only one thought remained in Donggua's mind — death... so this was how terrifying it truly was.
That was why she had always wanted to live.
Anyone else could die, as long as... it wasn't her.
She really... didn't want to die.
Outside Donggua's body.
Xu Linglong watched with calm eyes as the Flower of Veneration bloomed across the half-dead, half-unconscious Donggua.
Crimson-black energy radiated from the flowers. Their stems twisted and spread like they were sucking the blood right out of Donggua, growing ever more vivid and gorgeous.
Bai Bo stood beside Xu Linglong at this moment, glancing down at Donggua before asking:
"She might not make it through this. I haven't seen many who could."
Xu Linglong's expression remained placid as she replied in a indifferent tone:
"Then she dies. To gain power, one must pay a price. Right now, she's simply too weak to even look at."
Bai Bo said nothing more at that. Death was, after all, a perfectly normal thing.
But then he seemed to remember something and pressed further:
"What about the Buddhist Sect? How should we handle them?"
"What we've heard may not be the truth. It's just a few words — without concrete evidence, saying anything more is useless."
Xu Linglong looked toward the direction of West Ox Continent, her voice cold.
"Even if it is true, now is not the right time to tear things apart completely."
Bai Bo frowned slightly at her words. "So we just let it go?"
Xu Linglong let out a sneer and teased:
"Do you really think I have such a good temper?"
Bai Bo's tone grew somewhat impatient:
"That's exactly why I'm asking — what are you actually thinking?"
Xu Linglong looked at Bai Bo's agitated expression, her smile deepening:
"Look at you, getting all worked up like that."
Hearing these words, Bai Bo's demeanor quickly returned to calm, though he said nothing more.
Xu Linglong didn't press the issue. She took a breath and said:
"Don't look at everything in such a roundabout way. Whether Boluo has betrayed us or not can't be confirmed, so set that aside — us seeking his support is a separate matter entirely."
Bai Bo asked, still puzzled: "What if he finds an excuse to weasel out of it?"
"Who doesn't have it hard?"
Xu Linglong pointed at Donggua, still lying on the ground. "Doesn't she have it hard? Just because it's difficult means we don't have to do it?"
"As long as our stance is clear, we just need to unite with the other Heavenly Demons and apply pressure. Difficult or not, Boluo will have to act!"
"At the same time, spread the rumor — a demon has taken a seat among the Buddhist hierarchy."
"We can't be the only ones making noise while he sits comfortably on his Buddha seat, can we?"
"Let him go bother Chu Xingchen. It's about time their side suffered some casualties too."
"We're at a critical moment right now. Having someone draw fire for us is a good thing — even if it's also a risk. I'll be sure to thank him properly next time we meet!"
Bai Bo looked at Xu Linglong's girlish smile, his tone worried:
"What if Boluo turns around and exposes us?"
"Word is that Chu Xingchen's intelligence network has already pierced through. Whether that damned monk is one of ours or not, as long as he makes a move, the news will spread like wildfire."
Xu Linglong waved her hand dismissively.
"As long as we deny it, there will be plenty of other suspects. Besides, he's the one who joined the Buddhist Sect — he's the one who has to explain himself."
"In short, let Boluo shoulder some of the burden. It's good for him, and it's good for us."
Bai Bo gave a slight nod, quite in agreement with Xu Linglong's plan.
Xu Linglong gazed calmly at Donggua. The Flower of Veneration on her body had begun to gradually wither, and Donggua's instinctive breathing was weakening as well. A hint of disappointment lingered in Xu Linglong's eyes.
She had originally thought that Donggua's desire to live was strong enough that she might just survive the bloodline evolution.
What a pity. Cheap things just didn't last.
Xu Linglong shook her head slightly and rose on her toes, about to leave.
But in the next moment, a smile resurfaced on Xu Linglong's face.
The Flowers of Veneration on Donggua's body gradually withered. Then their petals fell away, melting into Donggua's flesh.
"Hah..."
Donggua suddenly gasped for air, her eyes flying wide open. She felt the pain retreating rapidly from her body, replaced by an endless sense of exhilaration.
Within her, a strange new energy circulated through her bloodline — powerful, and... terrifying.
Many parts of her body had grown stronger as well.
Xu Linglong spoke with evident satisfaction:
"Do you like it?"
"I do."
Donggua immediately prostrated herself on the ground, her voice trembling with excitement. "Thank you, Venerable One."
"This is only the beginning."
Xu Linglong's voice was soft yet bewitching. "There's even better to come. As long as you serve me faithfully, I see your potential. The flower inside you can reach me."
"But I imagine you know I'm very busy. So if there's nothing important..."
Xu Linglong let the last word trail off, drawing it out slightly.
Donggua understood instantly and quickly replied: "Only the Venerable One's affairs are important!"
Xu Linglong nodded in satisfaction and gave a slight wave of her hand:
"Go find somewhere to recover from your injuries. Wait for my message, or wait for someone to come find you."
Donggua rose slowly and humbly to her feet. She didn't dare glance at the figure beside Xu Linglong, who radiated the unmistakable aura of a Heavenly Demon.
She turned slowly and walked out with her head bowed.
Xu Linglong watched her go without another word. The empty promises she'd fed this girl were already more than enough — there was nothing left for her to covet. With that, Xu Linglong turned and departed as well.
Bai Bo followed alongside Xu Linglong and remarked: "That little demon is weak, but she knows her place."
Xu Linglong shook her head slightly:
"Knowing one's place isn't enough. She still needs to learn how to get things done properly. She's not quite there yet."
"Enough about that. She's just a small fish I tossed a line to. Let's go make things difficult for Boluo."
Hearing these words, Bai Bo's expression couldn't help but show a flicker of excitement.
Loving Family Peak.
Yan Yun looked up at the plaque above the gate, personally inscribed by her master. She couldn't help but recall the beaming, chrysanthemum-bright smile on her master's face when he had written it.
The older her master got, the more mischievous he became.
But then again, so be it — as long as the old man was happy.
Yan Yun stepped inside.
Chu Xingchen was already seated on a stone chair, waiting for her. His more energetic disciples had all dispersed — not a single one remained. Chu Xingchen's sharp sensitivity to such matters was as strong as ever.
Yan Yun stepped forward and asked:
"You knew I was coming?"
Chu Xingchen gently rubbed the teacup in his hands.
"That monk unexpectedly met with someone he shouldn't have. The fact that Xu Linglong dared to go see Donggua while still carrying serious injuries tells me she's incredibly bold — and willing to gamble."
"Now that she's finished her probing, she'll make her move. But simply taking a beating isn't her style."
Yan Yun stopped and looked at Chu Xingchen across the table:
"When you're being clever, it's actually rather pleasant."
Chu Xingchen raised an eyebrow at her words, his tone displeased:
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"Exactly what it sounds like."
"You're being a bit annoying right now, I'll have you know."
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