"Boss, there are four Blackstone Sect disciples, all in the Qi Refining Realm. I think we're done for."
"Don't panic. The enemy is in the open while we're in the shadows. They may not know we're from Bloodsoul Valley."
"Every time I lost, I'd threaten them, saying our Bloodsoul Valley would slaughter their whole family sooner or later."
Ding Zhen: "?"
After ten carefree days, the three-person demonic dao group now sat on pins and needles.
"Bullshit Demon Venerable Tournament! Could this be a trap deliberately set to catch the three of us?"
"I'm seriously impressed. Those three Blackstone Sect people hiding among us—whenever they got demonic dao roles, they were as sinister as they could be. They lied without even blushing, and they're supposedly disciples of a righteous sect!?"
"How about... we find a chance to slip away in secret?"
Ding Zhen raised one finger and shook it. "No. The Blackstone Sect disciples are watching us. If we suddenly stop competing and run away, it'll only draw attention. They might not think we're genuine demonic dao cultivators yet."
"Besides, the Rogue Cultivator Market is about to open. These people are our targets. We still haven't completed Bloodsoul Valley's task of recruiting talent. Once we've recruited the people we want, we'll directly bury the Bloodburst Landmine Formation at the market's opening site and destroy it."
After hearing their boss out, the two underlings stared at each other wide-eyed.
"Recruit who?"
Ding Zhen: "Rogue Cultivators whose hearts lean toward the demonic dao!"
"Boss, among all the Rogue Cultivators in this city... who doesn't look more like demonic dao than us? Aside from Bai Heyu, the other three Blackstone Sect disciples have far more tricks than we do. When it comes to deceiving people, they play filthy."
"The three of us are so straightforward, we're practically disciples of a righteous sect."
Ding Zhen: "..."
Good news: they were all seeds of the demonic dao.
Bad news: I'd become one of the righteous.
The three of them fell into deep self-doubt.
Meanwhile, the entire plan proceeded in an orderly fashion, just as Yang Genshuo had arranged.
Because he could inspect character cards, Yang Genshuo had long since discovered the three demonic cultists from Bloodsoul Valley. He told Yang Shi not to get too close to them and had taken precautions in advance.
Yang Shi put black tea and premium white sugar into a pot, heated it over a low flame, fried it until the caramel bubbled, then poured in fresh milk and boiled it.
He then took out three strawberries, crushed them in a tall cup, spread a layer of strainer mesh over the rim, poured in the freshly made milk caramel tea, and strained away the tea leaves.
"Fairy, your Strawberry Floating Milk Tea. Please enjoy."
Murong Ziyan gave a faint nod and said nothing more.
After Yang Shi left, her delicate nose twitched slightly as she caught the milk tea's unique fragrance. Her face instantly blossomed as brilliantly as spring, like a child who had found a snack.
After one sip, its fragrance lingered on her lips and teeth, and even her brows curved with delight.
After draining the entire cup of milk tea without pausing for breath, Murong Ziyan was still unsatisfied.
She extended her tiny pink tongue, swept the few white droplets from the corner of her mouth into it, and revealed a sweet smile.
But that sweet smile lasted only a moment before she resumed the aloof demeanor of a senior sister.
"This mortal does have some skill."
Freshly made milk tea naturally tasted far better than milk tea powder mixed with water. Yang Genshuo had learned it from Douyin before teaching it to Yang Shi.
Although Murong Ziyan had set up an array to prevent spying, it could not stop Yang Genshuo!
As long as he was within a hundred meters of Yang Shi, he could observe every detail from all angles, without a single blind spot!
If only Murong Ziyan's clothes weren't so clingy... Hmph~
Though he had failed to feast his eyes, Yang Genshuo naturally saw through Murong Ziyan's preferences.
Just like that old beggar at the Seventh Layer of Qi Refining who pitifully lingered at the entrance every day, Yang Shi only needed to feed her daily.
Even if it did not prove useful, it could still forge a good connection.
"Yang Shi, tomorrow is the Demon Venerable Tournament finals. Tonight, have Brother Ni's men bring over the things they made. Tomorrow, we'll settle it with one hammer blow."
"Yes, Patriarch. Yang Shi will never disappoint your expectations! This matter will surely succeed!"
After spending so many days with the Rogue Cultivators, Yang Shi's prestige had steadily accumulated, and he had gained considerable influence.
His professional knowledge of Three Kingdoms Kill and Werewolf made him the foremost authority on both tabletop games. He handled all sorts of disputes clearly and fairly, never fearing the strong or favoring the weak. The Rogue Cultivators all saw it.
Many people sighed that Yang Shi was fine material for cultivation, but unfortunately, he had no spiritual roots.
As night fell, some mortals in Bluestone County moved in and out of the streets, carrying out a massive renovation.
The Rogue Cultivators had little interest in mortal affairs. Hardly anyone cared what they were doing.
The next day, Yang Shi stepped onto the stone table.
"I announce that today, the finals of the Demon Venerable Tournament in Demonic Dao Kill officially begin!"
"After these days of battle, the twelve highest-scoring contestants will compete for the title of Demon Venerable!"
"Please take your seats!"
The twelve strongest contestants took their seats, with Bai Heyu and Ding Zhen among them.
Bai Heyu had shamelessly secured himself a place among the top twelve. Seeing him set up stone tables, make masks, and cast Silencing Art for every round, everyone saw how hard he worked and gave him some points.
Ding Zhen, meanwhile, had made it in through genuine ability!
His voice was magnetic, and he carried that strange aura unique to demonic dao cultivators. When he recited announcements, the atmosphere was perfectly set, so Bai Heyu personally appointed him as the finals host.
Ding Zhen had no chance of taking a seat in the finals. The three of them were the sort to slaughter whole families at the drop of a hat; even their combined scores were not enough to make the top twelve.
This made Ding Zhen feel miserable.
His original plan had been to lay explosive formations near the Rogue Cultivator Market by Whitewater River today, then wreak massive destruction tomorrow.
Instead, he had been dragged here to serve as host for the day, and he did not even dare refuse.
As for the two underlings he had brought, Ding Zhen was afraid they would blow themselves up while setting the formation and get sent into the Soul-Refining Banner.
After a tense and thrilling day of competition,
Blackstone Sect disciple Bai Heyu lived up to expectations and achieved an excellent top-twelve result!
Yet he remained full of energy and even volunteered to present the finals awards.
"I announce that the champion of the first Demon Venerable Tournament is Jiang Xiaobai!"
"Congratulations, little sister!"
"This Flowing Water Sword of mine shall be yours."
A Middle-Grade Dharma Artifact: the Flowing Water Sword.
Sword blossoms glimpsed through mist; sword intent hidden in ethereal haze.
After receiving it, Jiang Xiaobai excitedly waved it toward Yang Shi below the stage.
"Brother, I did it!"
Everyone saw her as a young woman, yet they forgot her true identity:
The proprietor of Yang's Board Game Teahouse, Yang Shi's direct disciple, and an expert who had practiced Demonic Dao Kill for two and a half years.
Her mastery of Demonic Dao Kill was far beyond that of these Rogue Cultivators.
Her victory was what everyone expected.
There was no cheating in tabletop games. Winning through skill alone could only leave everyone convinced and shouting with delight.
Yet after the cheers and bustle faded, the many Rogue Cultivators could not help sighing.
"Demonic Dao Kill taught me a truth: no matter how extravagantly others speak, their actions cannot lie. From this day onward, I will judge people by what they do, not believe what they say."
"I've cultivated for thirty years, and this is the first time I've completely relaxed and truly enjoyed life."
"These past half a month, I've cooperated with others more often than I did in half my life. My fellow daoists are all so knowledgeable—I've learned a great deal."
"What a pity... all of this is like foam, bursting at a touch. Tomorrow, all of you fellow daoists will meet at the market. I only hope that after we exchange cultivation resources, we can all leave one another a way out and refrain from fighting."
"The immortal path is cruel. Aren't such wonderful days an illusion for you and me as well? Once we leave this illusion, I fear we will still have to settle things with our hands."
At that moment, everyone remembered why they had come here in the first place: cultivation resources.
When had market transactions ever been safe?
Within the market, the market master kept order, so everyone could maintain appearances. But once they left the market and slipped into the forest... anyone could turn into demonic dao cultivators and commit murder for treasure.
Just as everyone was lost in thought, Yang Shi jumped onto the stone table.
"Esteemed seniors, regarding this market transaction... may this junior say a few words?"
Before you continue