Inciting Rebellion

"Is... is it done?"

Shen Lingying's face was flushed, her eyes constantly darting at Lu Jun, who was shirtless in front of her.

Lu Jun, currently wearing his undershirt, had his hands braced on either side of Shen Lingying. Due to his leaning forward, the front of his shirt was wide open.

As Shen Lingying stole glances, she could faintly see Lu Jun's defined muscles and the complete absence of any fat on his waist and abdomen.

Under the scan of See Through Myriad Illusions, Chen Zhuo's Bewildered Soul had vanished without a trace.

"It's done," Lu Jun smiled at Shen Lingying before standing up and getting dressed again.

"Oh..." Shen Lingying let out a muffled hum, her gaze fixed on Lu Jun's retreating back, a hint of longing in her expression.

"Thank you," Lu Jun said. "Just now, there was a demonic technique probing outside the door."

"Evil cults and demons like to find disciples who are morally corrupt or have certain character flaws. I wanted them to come to me actively, so I had you help me put on a show."

Shen Lingying nodded. "I know."

Then, Shen Lingying suddenly looked up. "Will it be dangerous if the demons come after you?"

A flash of youthful ambition crossed Lu Jun's face. "Don't worry, it'll be fine."

Suddenly, Lu Jun changed the subject. "The White Ape Festival in town is the day after tomorrow. You didn't just come to bring me some pastries to thank me, did you... Do you have something you want to ask me?"

Shen Lingying's heart tightened.

Indeed, her visit tonight to deliver pastries was because the townspeople knew Lu Jun had saved her before and wanted her to probe Lu Jun's intentions.

They needed to decide which family would be chosen as the sacrifice for the White Ape this month.

Shen Lingying couldn't refuse, and she also wanted to thank Lu Jun, so she came along half-heartedly.

However, after seeing Lu Jun, Shen Lingying found it difficult to speak.

Now that Lu Jun had brought it up himself, she decided to follow his lead.

"We want to know, for this month's White Ape Festival, Lu Jun... which family will you choose as the offering to the White Ape..." Shen Lingying's heart pounded with nervousness.

Lu Jun's decision would determine the lives of dozens of people.

Lu Jun smiled at Shen Lingying. "Perhaps this time, no one will be sacrificed."

Shen Lingying was slightly taken aback.

"You don't believe me?" Lu Jun raised an eyebrow.

Shen Lingying collected herself, a smile appearing on her face. "I believe you."

There was a curfew in town at night.

To complete the act, Lu Jun didn't let Shen Lingying leave and had her sleep directly in his room.

He himself left the room and went out into the courtyard.

Lu Jun looked up at the round moon in the sky from the courtyard, thinking to himself, "The fish should be biting soon."

His expectations were not disappointed.

Soon, the door to the side room was pushed open. Tuoba Li, with his robust Blood Essence and imposing physique, appearing to be about two meters tall, emerged from the room.

"Lord Lu, what a pleasant mood, admiring the moon in the courtyard?" Tuoba Li greeted Lu Jun from behind.

"Is something wrong?" Lu Jun's expression was cold as he lightly turned his head to look at Tuoba Li behind him.

"Hahaha... there is indeed something," Tuoba Li chuckled.

"If you have something to say, go do it. Don't insult my eyes with your ugly face," Lu Jun said, raising an eyebrow.

Tuoba Li's smile froze for a moment, his once hearty laughter sounding a bit dry.

Damn it, this Lu guy really doesn't give face!

But he remembered how important Lu Jun joining the evil cult was, as Chen Zhuo had said before.

First, Lu Jun might come from a family of Law Seekers in Yunzhou, and controlling him would allow them to control the forces behind him later.

Second, Lu Jun had a terrible personality, a natural scoundrel. Such a bad seed would become even stronger after joining the evil cult, making the demons behind him more satisfied, and perhaps even earning him rewards.

Thinking of this, Tuoba Li suppressed his inner dissatisfaction.

Once you become one of us, I'll see if you're still so arrogant!

Tuoba Li spoke cautiously, "Lord Lu, my business actually concerns you?"

Lu Jun sneered. "Concerns me? What are you, anyway? Do I even know you?"

Tuoba Li chuckled. "I know Lord Lu came from Yunzhou. You must have suffered some injustice to come to a poor and remote place like Qingci Town..."

Lu Jun's expression grew colder. "What business is it of yours?"

Seeing Lu Jun's expression, Tuoba Li thought to himself, As expected.

Chen Zhuo is truly a genius, he guessed Lu Jun's background correctly.

"Lord Lu, the root of all grievances is a lack of strength. I have an ancestral method that can increase one's strength..." Tuoba Li said slyly.

Lu Jun scoffed. "You?"

Tuoba Li said, "Lord Lu, please don't underestimate my strength. I was just an ordinary person before. It's only because I mastered an ancestral technique that I've gone from a mere mortal to a Law Seeker in the Realm of Heavenly Cycle in just three years."

"My ancestral technique mainly depends on talent. My talent is mediocre, which is why I've only barely reached the second realm. Lord Lu, you are a heavenly gifted genius. If you were to learn my ancestral technique, you would surely undergo a dramatic transformation!"

Lu Jun remained silent, merely gazing at Tuoba Li.

Tuoba Li chuckled and said, "Lord Lu, I'll wait for you outside. We can have a good chat..."

With that, Tuoba Li led the way out the door.

Lu Jun's lips curved into a subtle smile, and he followed.

The two arrived at a desolate wilderness in the woods.

There was no one around.

Lu Jun's expression remained arrogant as he said, "Speak."

Tuoba Li smiled and asked, "Lord Lu, have you ever heard of worshipping demons and monsters to obtain Spiritual Power?"

A knowing smile flashed across Lu Jun's face, and he gently drew the long saber at his waist.

"Oh, so you're from an evil cult!?"

"Do you know that I am a Demon Slayer Envoy?"

Tuoba Li interjected, "Hey, you can't say that, my lord. I merely worship our Venerable One, so how can you call us an evil cult? We are all human, after all, belonging to the human race. How could I harm you, my lord?"

"How does one worship?" Lu Jun's face revealed a smile with a hidden meaning.

This Lu Jun was indeed not a good person.

Tuoba Li quickly took out a wooden carving from his embrace, depicting a bull's head and a human body, clad in armor, emanating a dense demonic energy. He introduced it to Lu Jun, "Lord Lu, this is our Venerable One, the Ugly Ox Lord. As soon as I awaken my Venerable One's true spirit..."

"My Venerable One will leave a will in your mind, and the worship will be complete. At that time, you will receive the Spiritual Power bestowed by my Venerable One. Combined with the Spiritual Power you already cultivate, you will become someone with dual Spiritual Powers, rivaling even those with Innate Divine Abilities!"

Lu Jun said, "Then what are you waiting for? Start."

Tuoba Li was overjoyed.

The entire process was even smoother than he had imagined.

With that, Tuoba Li placed the wooden carving in his hand upright on the ground, knelt down, and devoutly chanted in silence: "Xuan Ming opens the way, the nine netherworlds unfold. Earth's virtue supports the yin, the ugly ox solemnizes the killing. Tai Sui arrives in the ox's hour, stars sink and dippers tilt. Kun Yuan answers me, the ox ghost connects the profound!"

"I seek an audience with the Venerable One!"