The Tribulation Begins

The Man Behind the Female Demon Emperor?

Lu Li lost all interest as soon as he heard that.

As the saying went, those who walked different paths could never make plans together. No matter how powerful a female demon might be, he still wouldn't like her.

"I'm deeply grateful for your kindness, Senior Sister. It's just that, for now, I only want to focus on my cultivation. Once I've attained the Golden Core Dao, I'll think about everything else."

Lu Li cupped his hands and declined tactfully.

"Very well."

At his words, Green Lotus gave a slight nod and put away the medicine bottle. With a charming smile, she said, "Then I wish you an early breakthrough to the Golden Core Realm, Junior Brother!"

"Then I wish you an early day as the Demonic Sect's first female Demon Emperor, Senior Sister!"

Lu Li replied with a smile.

"I'll gladly accept that blessing." Green Lotus rose to her feet and smiled. "Junior Brother Lu, take your time cultivating here. I won't disturb you. I still have to go back and patrol. Oh, and this is a secret between us, all right? Don't tell anyone!"

She finished with a playful wink.

"Rest assured, Senior Sister. I've always been tight-lipped."

Lu Li nodded.

"Good! I knew I could trust you! I had a lovely time flirting with you today. Until next time!"

As she spoke, Green Lotus gestured, and the Jade Lotus flew back to her.

"Take care, Senior Sister."

Lu Li immediately stood and cupped his hands to see her off.

Green Lotus waved, then flicked her hand. A White Bone Greatsword shot out from her sleeve.

The sword rang with a hum.

It trembled, flashed with green light, wrapped itself around her, and carried her into the sky.

She's finally gone.

Lu Li secretly breathed a sigh of relief. After a moment's thought, he prepared to return to the Black Water Pool and continue cultivating.

He could also take a look at the Ten Thousand Ghost Banner.

And deal with the Low-grade Spirit Ghost in his sleeve.

Just as he was about to leave, a familiar voice suddenly rang out. "Junior Brother, looks like your luck isn't just good—you've got quite the love life, too."

Lu Li paused mid-step and turned. At once, he recognized the person.

It was Bai Jinfei!

"Senior Brother, what brings you here? Weren't you in Ten Thousand Demon City?"

Lu Li asked in surprise.

"Haha, someone sent me a flying-sword message saying you'd gotten into a quarrel with Li Jing, so I rushed right back. Tell me, did my sudden return get in the way of you and Senior Sister Green Lotus becoming close friends?"

Bai Jinfei asked with a knowing smile.

"Senior Brother, you're teasing me. Senior Sister Green Lotus and I only just became friends. We aren't close."

Lu Li shook his head.

"I know, I know. You've only just become friends. You'll grow closer in time."

Bai Jinfei winked, wearing a smile that any man would understand.

Then he drifted over and casually waved his hand, conjuring two jars of wine.

"Here, I bought this Hundred Immortal Brew in Ten Thousand Demon City. Want to try some?" Bai Jinfei offered him a jar with a hearty laugh, then sat down.

It looked like he had something to discuss.

"Thank you."

After a brief hesitation, Lu Li accepted the jar and sat down beside him.

Pop.

Bai Jinfei flicked a finger and knocked the lid off his jar.

Then he opened his mouth and drew in a clear stream of wine, which rose from the jar and poured into his mouth.

Glug, glug.

After a few swallows, half the jar was gone.

Lu Li followed suit, taking off the lid and tipping the jar back for a mouthful.

Hmm... It tasted about like Sprite mixed with Carolina Reaper peppers. Not bad at all.

Just then, Bai Jinfei tossed out a Black Jade Formation Disk.

With a hum, the round disk rose into the air, radiating black light as it transformed into a huge black barrier that enveloped the two of them.

Silver specks glimmered within the barrier, casting a faint light over their surroundings.

"Junior Brother, you've gotten yourself into serious trouble this time!"

Bai Jinfei's expression turned grave as he dropped a bombshell.

"What do you mean, Senior Brother?"

Lu Li's expression remained unchanged.

"You killed Li Jing's younger brother. Li Jing will definitely find someone to take revenge on you! He's True Lord Yellow Spring's personal disciple, and he has a lot of standing among the true disciples. Only Green Lotus ranks above him!"

Bai Jinfei said gravely.

"Oh? Please explain, Senior Brother."

Lu Li took another sip of wine.

He still didn't know much about the Yin Underworld Ghost Sect. He didn't even know the sect leader's surname, let alone his name or what he looked like.

"The sect leader holds the highest position in the entire sect. He's at the Void Refinement Realm. Below him are the Grand Elders, all at Spirit Transformation. After them come the elders, who are at the Nascent Soul or Golden Core Realm. Generally, the elders with real authority are at the Nascent Soul Realm. Those at the Golden Core Realm have little more than an honorary title. Below them are the true disciples like us, all at Foundation Establishment. We're divided into about five factions."

Bai Jinfei spoke in a low voice.

"Five factions? That many?"

Lu Li was taken aback.

The pond was shallow, yet it was full of turtles.

A mere bunch of Foundation Establishment true disciples had managed to form five factions?

"These five factions have deep roots and tangled ties. It'd be hard to explain them all. You only need to know that Green Lotus currently has the most influence. She could break through to the Golden Core Realm at any time, but she deliberately holds back. She wants to win over more people, build up her following, and remain Chief Disciple for another ten years."

There was a hint of admiration in Bai Jinfei's voice.

Lu Li's heart stirred.

Could everything Green Lotus had said earlier be true? Was she really going to climb all the way to the top and become the Demonic Sect's first female Demon Emperor?

"Senior Brother, who exactly is Senior Sister Green Lotus? Is she the sect leader's daughter?"

Lu Li asked curiously.

"No. Green Lotus is merely the disciple of a Nascent Soul elder. But she's a smooth operator, gracious to all sides, and exceptionally talented. Even the sect leader thinks highly of her, so he made her Chief Disciple of the Yin Underworld Ghost Sect."

Bai Jinfei explained.

"What about Li Jing?"

Lu Li asked again.

"Li Jing's master is True Lord Yellow Spring. Above him is a Grand Elder at the Spirit Transformation stage. On top of that, Li Jing is wealthy and generous, so he has plenty of followers. He's also eyeing the Chief Disciple position."

After finishing, Bai Jinfei gulped down the remaining half-jar of wine.

"Chief Disciple?"

Lu Li's heart stirred.

"In other words, our Yin Underworld Ghost Sect's public face. The Ten Thousand Demon Mountain's ten great demonic sects often hold gatherings. When they do, the Chief Disciple is the one who represents us. If some powerful expert casually rewards them with a treasure, they could save decades, even centuries, of hard cultivation. Every year, the sect also grants them plenty of cultivation resources. They get guidance from the Grand Elders, or even the sect leader. In short, there are all sorts of benefits!"

As he finished speaking, a hint of envy appeared on Bai Jinfei's face.

So that was it!

No wonder Green Lotus had been recruiting people everywhere, even lowering herself to court a nobody like him.

Lu Li suddenly understood.

It seemed Li Jing really was hot on her heels.

"Junior Brother, you killed Li Jing's younger brother. If Li Jing doesn't do something about it, people will look down on him, and his reputation will suffer. Then he won't be able to become Chief Disciple."

Bai Jinfei waved his hand, produced another jar of wine, and tipped it back, gulping it down.

"A man like Li Jing, who'd even covet a Spirit Ghost, could become Chief Disciple? I'd be better suited for the job."

Lu Li frowned, his face full of disdain.

"Haha, Junior Brother, we're the Demon Sect! In the Demon Sect, whoever has the biggest fist, the most money, and the most people willing to listen gets to be the boss!"

Bai Jinfei wiped his mouth and laughed heartily.

"..."

Lu Li had nothing to say.

After a moment's thought, he asked, "So, was I wrong to kill Li Jing's younger brother? Should I have handed over the Spirit Ghost?"

"No."

Bai Jinfei shook his head. A sharp glint flashed in his slightly tipsy eyes. "You weren't wrong to kill him! We're members of the demonic path. If someone won't submit, then fight them. What's there to be afraid of? Junior Brother, you did well this time! You showed courage and cunning! Once Master hears about it, he'll be very impressed with you!"

"By the way, Green Lotus tried to recruit you. You didn't accept, did you?"

He immediately followed up with another question.

"No."

Lu Li shook his head.

"Good. Junior Brother, don't be fooled by Green Lotus's interest in you, or all her hints and insinuations. In her eyes, all men are filthy and vile. She's only acting. She... is actually into women."

Bai Jinfei let out a helpless sigh.

Into women?

Female, and attracted to females?

Lu Li raised his brows, suddenly intrigued. "How do you know, Senior Brother?"

"It's a long story."

Bai Jinfei shook his head, full of emotion.

His expression looked troubled.

It seemed this was a sad story.

Lu Li was about to ask him to tell it so he could enjoy himself.

Just then—

Boom!

A thunderclap that split the sky erupted without warning.

Lu Li felt his blood and bones shudder.

"What happened?"

Bai Jinfei jumped in alarm and waved his hand, putting away the formation disk.

Then the two of them stared in shock as...

The sky was collapsing!

The gloomy sky over the entire Ten Thousand Ghost Cave cracked apart, like a shattered biscuit, and huge chunks began falling!

Blinding silver bolts of lightning, sharp as blades and axes, ripped through this underground world.

An immense, terrifying aura that could destroy everything pressed down from above.

It was like the end of the world!

At the sight, Bai Jinfei's expression changed. He cried out:

"Bad! It's the tribulation! The tribulation's come early! Master's begun his tribulation!"