Jiang Xiaobai, Who Practiced for Two and a Half Years

"Boss, there are four Xuan Shi Sect disciples, all at the Qi Refinement stage. I feel like we're doomed."

"Don't panic. They're in the open, we're in the shadows. They might not even know we're from Blood Soul Valley."

"Every time I lose, I throw out a threat, saying our Blood Soul Valley will wipe out their whole family sooner or later."

Ding Zhen: "?"

The demonic trio, who'd been enjoying ten happy days, now sat on pins and needles.

"What a load of crap this Demon Lord Championship is! Could it be a trap set up just to catch us three?"

"I'm seriously speechless. Those three hidden Xuan Shi Sect disciples—every time they get a demonic cultivator identity, they're twice as vicious and lie without even blushing. And they're supposed to be from a righteous sect!?"

"Maybe... we should find a chance to slip away?"

Ding Zhen raised a finger and shook it: "No can do. The Xuan Shi Sect disciples are watching. If we skip the next matches and suddenly bolt, it'll draw attention. Right now, they might not think we're real demonic cultivators."

"Besides, the market opening date is almost here. These people are our targets. We haven't finished recruiting talents for Blood Soul Valley yet. Once we've taken who we need, we'll set up the Blood Explosion Landmine Array right at the market opening site and destroy the place."

After hearing the boss finish, his two underlings stared at each other with wide eyes.

"Recruit who?"

Ding Zhen: "Recruit rogue cultivators who lean toward the demonic path!"

"Boss, every rogue cultivator in this city looks more demonic than we do. Aside from Bai Heyu, those other three Xuan Shi Sect disciples have more tricks up their sleeves than us. Their scams are filthy."

"We three are as straightforward as righteous sect disciples."

Ding Zhen: "..."

Good news: They're all demonic seeds.

Bad news: I've become the righteous one.

The three fell into deep self-doubt.

Meanwhile, the entire plan was proceeding smoothly, just as Yang Genshuo had set it.

Because he could flip through character cards, Yang Genshuo had long since spotted the three demonic cultivators from Blood Soul Valley. He instructed Yang Shi not to get too close to them and took preventive measures in advance.

Yang Shi placed black tea and fine white sugar in a pot, heated it over low flame, stir-fried until the caramel bubbled, poured in fresh milk, and boiled it until it came to a rolling simmer.

He then took three strawberries, crushed them in a tall cup, laid a strainer over the rim, poured in the freshly made caramel milk tea, and skimmed off the tea leaves.

"Fairy, your Strawberry Boba Milk Tea. Please enjoy."

Murong Ziyan gave a faint nod without saying much.

Once Yang Shi had withdrawn, her delicate nose twitched slightly, catching the unique aroma of the milk tea. Her face instantly bloomed like spring, like a child who'd found a snack.

She took a sip, the fragrance lingering on her lips and teeth, her brows curving with delight from the taste.

Downing the entire cup of milk tea in one breath without pause, Murong Ziyan savored the lingering aftertaste.

She extended her pink little tongue to lick a few drops of white from the corner of her mouth, revealing a sweet smile.

But this sweet smile lasted only a moment before it reverted to that cold, aloof Eldest Senior Sister demeanor.

"This mortal has some skill."

Freshly made milk tea naturally tasted far better than instant milk tea powder. Yang Genshuo had learned it from Douyin and taught it to Yang Shi.

Although Murong Ziyan had set up a barrier to prevent prying eyes, it couldn't stop Yang Genshuo!

As long as he was within 100 meters of Yang Shi, he could observe every detail from 360 degrees without any blind spots!

If only Murong Ziyan hadn't been wearing such tight clothes. Hmph~

Though he couldn't feast his eyes, Yang Genshuo had still discerned Murong Ziyan's preferences.

Just like the Qi Refinement Seventh Level old beggar at the gate who put on a pitiful act every day, he simply had Yang Shi feed him daily.

Even if he couldn't use them, it was still a good deed to build goodwill.

"Yang Shi, tomorrow is the finals of the Demon Lord Championship. Tonight, have the Ni Brothers move over the crafted items. Tomorrow, we'll seal the deal."

"Yes, Old Ancestor. Yang Shi will not disappoint your expectations! This matter will succeed!"

After spending so many days with the rogue cultivators, Yang Shi's reputation had steadily grown, and he now carried considerable influence.

His expertise in Sanguosha and Werewolf made him the highest authority on these two tabletop games. He resolved disputes clearly and fairly, never fearing the strong nor favoring the weak, and the rogue cultivators all took note.

Many lamented that Yang Shi had great potential for cultivation, but unfortunately lacked spiritual roots.

As night fell, some mortals in Qingshi County moved through the streets, carrying out a major transformation.

The rogue cultivators had little interest in mortal affairs and barely paid attention to what they were doing.

The next day, Yang Shi stepped onto the stone table.

"I declare that today, the finals of the Demonic Cultivator Kill Demon Lord Championship officially begin!"

"Over these past days, the twelve with the highest points will compete for the Demon Lord Title!"

"Please, everyone, take your seats!"

The twelve strongest took their seats, with Bai Heyu and Ding Zhen among them.

Bai Heyu had shamelessly wheedled his way into a Top 12 spot; seeing him busy himself with stone tables, making masks, and casting Mute Technique for every match, the others let him have some points.

Ding Zhen, on the other hand, had earned his place through real strength!

His voice was magnetic, and with that eerie demonic cultivator aura, his announcements were full of atmosphere, so Bai Heyu personally appointed him as the Finals Host.

Ding Zhen could never enter the Finals Seat—the three of them, that family-killing group, didn't have enough points combined for the Top 12.

This made Ding Zhen extremely uncomfortable.

Because his original plan was to go set up an Explosive Array at the Rogue Cultivator Market by Bai Shui River today, then cause a big wave of destruction tomorrow.

But now he'd been dragged here to be the host for a whole day, and he didn't dare refuse.

As for the two subordinates he'd brought, Ding Zhen was afraid they'd blow themselves up while setting up the array and send themselves into the Soul Refining Banner.

After a tense and thrilling day of competition, Xuan Shi Sect disciple Bai Heyu lived up to expectations, achieving an excellent Top 12 result!

Yet he was still full of energy and volunteered to serve as the Finals Award Presenter.

"I declare! The champion of the First Demon Lord Championship is Jiang Xiaobai!"

"Congratulations, little sister!"

"This Flowing Water Sword of mine, I gift to you."

A Mid-grade Magic Tool, the Flowing Water Sword.

Gazing at sword blossoms through mist, a ethereal sword intent hidden within.

After Jiang Xiaobai received it, she excitedly waved toward Yang Shi below the stage.

"Older Brother, I did it!"

Everyone saw her as a young woman, but forgot her true identity:

Owner of Yang's Board Game Tea House, Yang Shi's Direct Disciple, a master who had practiced Demonic Cultivator Kill Skill for two and a half years.

Her Demonic Cultivator Kill Skill was far beyond what these rogue cultivators could match.

Winning the championship was also a well-deserved outcome.

The board game had no cheating; she won by skill, leaving everyone convinced and cheering with delight.

But amid the cheers and excitement, many rogue cultivators couldn't help sighing.

"From Demonic Cultivator Kill, I've learned one truth: no matter how flowery someone's words, their actions don't lie. From today on, I'll only watch what people do, not listen to what they say."

"I've cultivated for thirty years, and this is the first time I've completely relaxed and truly enjoyed life."

"These two weeks, I've cooperated with others more than in half my lifetime. Fellow Daoists are all so knowledgeable—I've truly learned a great deal."

"A pity. All of this is like a bubble—pop it and it's gone. Tomorrow, fellow Daoists will meet at the market. I only hope that when we exchange cultivation supplies, we can all show some leniency and not resort to violence."

"The path of immortality is cruel. Isn't this wonderful life a kind of illusion for you and me? But once we leave this illusion, I fear we'll still have to settle things with our hands."

At this moment, everyone remembered that they had come here for those cultivation supplies.

Market trading—how could it ever be safe?

At the market, the Market Owner kept order, and everyone could maintain their dignity. But once outside the market, slipping into those woods, anyone could turn into a demonic cultivator, killing and stealing treasures.

Just as everyone was lamenting, Yang Shi jumped onto a stone table.

"Senior fellow Daoists, regarding this market trading—may this junior offer a word?"