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Even if the other party had held a shred of suspicion before, the fury over having her essence stolen was more than enough to divert all her attention.

What was it that Ning Ning said at the time?

"My Lady! While entertaining guests tonight, I encountered a Sword Cultivator. After a few rounds of drinks, she actually claimed that the Yinshan Ghost Mother, a century-old Great Demon, is hidden beneath Zhaixing Pavilion. I've heard that the Yinshan Ghost Mother also cultivates by consuming human essence and blood, and that she was wounded by the righteous path a few years ago and has been missing since. Could it be... that the dwindling vital energy in the pavilion is related to her?"

The White Bone Lady wasn't completely dim-witted; she hesitated and asked, "A Sword Cultivator?"

"Exactly! That person claimed to be a disciple of the Xuanxu Sword Sect. Chaoyan dared not act rashly, so I first got her drunk before coming to report to you."

This excuse had cause and effect, sound logic, and was practically flawless.

What's more, Ning Ning had secretly pinched a spell, manifesting a Human Mask she had hidden in her sleeve into her palm: "This is what that Sword Cultivator looks like. If you don't believe me, I, Chaoyan, will use this Human Mask to go and test her. That wicked woman will surely confess her evil deeds."

Changing one's face with a Human Mask was a unique method belonging to the demons in the building.

So loyal, so meticulous, so thoughtful, and she could even produce a skin mask on the fly.

This was undoubtedly the real Chaoyan! What was there to doubt?

And so, the White Bone Lady was led here by her.

The White Bone Lady felt regret.

She thought she had brought along a loyal little follower, but it turned out to be a double-crossing traitor with a heart as black as coal. Not only had she treated her as a tool from start to finish, but she had also sold her out without a moment's hesitation.

The Yinshan Ghost Mother felt hatred.

She thought she had been sufficiently thorough and that dealing with these two would be a breeze, but she had fallen into their trap. Right in front of a righteous Sword Cultivator, she had beaten the only person who could have been her ally to within an inch of her life.

The Yinshan Ghost Mother shrieked sharply, "You actually lured a Sword Cultivator to my lair, you idiot! Was your brain kicked by a donkey?!"

The dying White Bone Lady gritted her teeth, "It was clearly you, you old hag, who stole my opportunity! You stinking woman, still barking here? I'll smash your mouth to pieces!"

"Fool!" "Thief!"

How were these two acting like children?

Ning Ning listened to them bicker for a while before hesitantly speaking up, "Um..."

Yinshan Ghost Mother and White Bone Lady: "Shut up, you stinking Sword Cultivator!"

The Yinshan Ghost Mother's rage surged; she gritted her teeth and silently recited a spell.

On the blood-stained stone walls, several deep red venomous spiders sprouted, and a faint, bloody light emerged upon the pervasive spider silk: "Do you think it's over? I am the Yinshan Ghost Mother, commander of ten million Nether Poison Fetuses. While I still have strength left, what can a mere Sword Cultivator like you do to me!"

"Oh."

Ning Ning touched the cold scabbard of her Star Trace Sword, lifted her eyes, and smiled lightly: "Then I suppose I should introduce myself as well."

Star Trace unsheathed in response, its pearl-like pommel glowing as if bathed in a galaxy of stars.

Sword qi surged like a tide, instantly filling the gloomy cavern and suppressing the foul, fishy wind rushing toward her.

"I am a disciple of Tian Xianzi from the Xuanxu Sword Sect, here today to slay demons. You may call me—"

She paused, adopting a half-joking tone: "Layered Pancake."

"Hahahahaha, Layered Pancake!"

Beside the Profound Mirror, Tian Xianzi shook with laughter, pointing at Ning Ning in the illusion with a smug expression: "Did you see that, Senior Brother! That's my disciple, hahaha, isn't she just adorable!"

Zhen Xiao: ...

Zhen Xiao glanced at the patched white robes of the young man beside him and the way he was grinning from ear to ear.

How unpretentious, how returning to simplicity.

How much like a poor child of several hundred years who wasn't exactly blessed with high intelligence.

Zhen Xiao: "Truly your disciple."

And, the minds of women are truly terrifying.

His sword was still the best.

Chapter 8

A crimson purgatory, where white bones exude fragrance.

In Zhaixing Pavilion, phoenixes danced to the songs of luan birds, and lights flowed like ribbons. The men and women reveling in pleasure had no idea that two terrifying monsters were lurking beneath the floorboards of the pavilion.

The light from the Star Trace Sword overflowed, casting a hazy, gauze-like moonlight under the dim Everlight Lamps of the room. The venomous spiders rampaged toward her, only to be cut down in an instant.

Yinshan Ghost Mother was taken aback.

She had originally assumed the girl was just bluffing, but judging by the way she handled the enemies, her cultivation had already reached the second layer of the Golden Core Realm.

If she were still at her peak, dealing with Ning Ning would not have been difficult. But a bitter struggle against the White Bone Lady had drained forty percent of her power; even if she fought with all her might, it would be a toss-up.

I must not be impatient.

She comforted herself internally. Most orthodox Sword Cultivators used straightforward techniques; they might have the upper hand in a one-on-one fight, but when faced with venomous spiders swarming from all directions, they would surely have no room to—

Suddenly, Yinshan Ghost Mother froze.

She felt as if a palm had slapped her hard across the face, leaving her dazed with pain.

What on earth... was that sword technique the Sword Cultivator was using?!

The Star Trace Sword suddenly shifted its direction, the trajectory of the blade becoming erratic and unpredictable. The sword light split into several glowing white afterimages, dancing like wild snakes rising into the air, striking the oncoming venomous spiders when they least expected it.

The speed of the strikes, the ruthlessness of the sword intent, and the bizarre, indiscernible footwork—let alone a monster like her, even a malevolent cultivator would likely cry out that she looked just like a member of a demonic sect.

Is this the kind of sword technique a righteous sect member should be learning?!

Outside the Profound Mirror, Sword Venerable Zhen Xiao nodded slightly: "Pants-Selling Sword Technique."

He still hadn't forgotten the time his junior brother sold his pants to buy a sword manual.

"It's the Golden Snake Sword Technique! She only learned it a few days ago, yet she can already use it with such proficiency!"

Tian Xianzi ignored him, watching with glee as he clapped his hands: "Adapting to the situation, not bad, not bad. It looks like Ghost Mother's spiders are all going to be eaten by the venomous snakes."

"Watch patiently," Zhen Xiao said, his expression remaining indifferent. "Ghost Mother is making a move."

Yinshan Ghost Mother was no fool; she naturally understood that she shouldn't engage in a direct confrontation with Ning Ning at this moment. With the latter's attention largely occupied by the venomous spiders, it was the perfect time for her to launch a surprise sneak attack from behind.

Demons and monsters were not bound by the hypocritical rules of the righteous path; as long as they could win, they were willing to use any means necessary.