Just like you

While Xiao Qinghe was absorbed in cultivation, five sharp claws suddenly shot out, stabbing toward his neck.

In a split second, Xie Jun hurled his longsword through the air.

The longsword sliced through the wind.

The claws of the hand ambushing Xiao Qinghe were about to slit his throat when the flying sword pierced its palm.

Bang!

The longsword cut through iron like butter and plunged into the stone wall beside Xiao Qinghe, skewering the attacking hand and pinning it to the wall.

Black blood gushed out, splashing across Xiao Qinghe's face.

Startled back to his senses, Xiao Qinghe snapped his eyes open to see the Octopus Monster's face contorted in pain as he lashed out with his other hand.

Xiao Qinghe blocked on instinct.

"You!" The Octopus Monster's expression changed sharply. "That's impossible!"

Xiao Qinghe's magic power was mediocre. He should never have been able to block his attack.

Xiao Qinghe froze for a moment, then immediately realized this was the effect of dual cultivation. He struck back with his palm, slamming it into the Octopus Monster's chest.

"Urgh..."

The Octopus Monster grunted and staggered back two steps, shocked and furious at Xiao Qinghe's surge in magic power. Then he burst into wild laughter. "Shameless mortal, you're finished! Hahaha! As a disciple of the Demon-Slaying Sect, you've practiced dual cultivation with a member of the Demon Clan. You're bound to be tainted with demonic energy! Those people preach virtue and righteousness, but whenever they encounter the Demon Clan, they wipe them out to the last! Now that you're tainted with demonic energy, you're one of the Demon Clan in their eyes. Do you think they'll spare you?"

Xiao Qinghe took a closer look. Demonic energy wreathed Xie Jun, while faint traces flickered around his own body.

It hit him like a bolt from the blue!

His master hated the Demon Clan. Wouldn't he cut him down with a single stroke?

In the original novel, Xiao Qinghe had practiced the demonic path, suffered cultivation deviation, and ultimately been killed by his master in the name of righteousness, leaving not even his bones behind!

He had gotten so carried away cultivating that he had forgotten all about it!

Xie Jun stared at the Octopus Monster, a chilling smile slowly curling his lips. "You abducted Ouyang Susu and nearly drained her vital energy. Sooner or later, the Demon-Slaying Sect will find this place and come seeking revenge. When that happens, all my senior brother and I have to do is tell them you're the reason we were tainted with demonic energy, then hand you over to them. Do you think they'll blame us, or reward us for our service?"

The Octopus Monster's wild laughter cut off abruptly. By the time he thought of escaping, it was already too late.

Xie Jun moved swiftly, seizing him and binding him tightly to a stone pillar.

"Despicable! Shameless!" The Octopus Monster bitterly regretted his actions. His sneak attack had failed, he had been captured instead, and now he would be used as a pawn to clear their names.

It couldn't get any worse!

"Junior brother, turning his own scheme against him was a brilliant move." Xiao Qinghe was awestruck.

Just as I expected of the future male lead I've put my faith in. He really is dependable!

Xie Jun made no comment.

He looked at his palm and curled his fingers into a fist, feeling power circulate through his hand. Narrowing his eyes, he raised his longsword and swept it through the air.

A blade of sword light slashed into the stone wall.

Bang!

A deep gouge appeared in the wall.

Xiao Qinghe sucked in a breath at the sight.

If dual cultivation had been one part effective for him, it had been ten parts effective for Xie Jun.

Xiao Qinghe gave him a thumbs-up. "Junior brother, that's just like you!"

Xie Jun raised his brows slightly, sprang into the air, and performed a sequence of sword moves.

Amid the waves of sword light, the youth moved lightly, every stroke crisp and clean-a pleasure to watch.

As the sword light flashed, pink flowers growing on the surrounding stone walls fluttered down in the wind, drifting around the youth.

The scene was fierce yet beautiful.

Mesmerized, Xiao Qinghe blurted out, "So beautiful..."

Xie Jun swept his hand back, returning his sword to its sheath.

He casually caught a falling flower and offered it to Xiao Qinghe.

Xiao Qinghe: "???"

"Didn't you say it was beautiful?"

Xie Jun thought he liked the flower.

Xiao Qinghe: "..."

When he had inexplicably called it beautiful, he hadn't meant the flower. He had meant the person.

But he couldn't say that.

Besides, this scene was far too familiar. Wasn't this the part in the original novel where Xie Jun picked a flower for the female lead to win her affection?

Xiao Qinghe was utterly bewildered. The system's readers suddenly grew excited, sending another round of inexplicable tips, while the comments section became even livelier.

[What are you waiting for? Take the flower already! The suspense is killing me!]

[He danced with his sword for him! He gave him a flower! Round it up, and that's a marriage proposal!]

[I approve of this marriage. Please consummate it immediately!]

Xiao Qinghe was left staring in bafflement. Had the readers mistaken him for the female lead?

What an awkward misunderstanding!

"Senior brother?" Xie Jun still held the flower.

Beside them, the Octopus Monster, who had witnessed the entire exchange, sneered, "You shameless pair of men!"

Xiao Qinghe narrowed his eyes. "Junior brother, how about adding some octopus meatballs to today's meal?"

Xie Jun raised his sword.

The Octopus Monster promptly shut his mouth and played dead.

Xie Jun snorted coldly and lowered his sword. Suddenly, his expression changed, and he collapsed.

"Junior brother!" Alarmed, Xiao Qinghe hurried to help him up.

But his face had turned a dark, bluish hue, his body was shaking violently, and his expression was twisted with unbearable pain. Horrified, Xiao Qinghe asked, "Junior brother, what's wrong?"

Xie Jun clenched his teeth, forcing the words out between them. "I'm fine... I just need... a little rest..."

Each word came out weakly and with great difficulty.

"It's demon blood backlash." The Octopus Monster gloated. "Xiao Qinghe, you're finished. He'll drain you dry!"

Xiao Qinghe's expression shifted slightly.

Demon blood backlash was part of the original novel's lore about the Demon Clan. The stronger their magic power and the purer their bloodline, the more severe the backlash.

Once it struck, it felt as though their flesh was being gouged out and their bones scraped bare. The pain was beyond endurance, and only the Demon Spirit Pearl could suppress it.

Xie Jun had suffered from it since childhood. He had ventured into the lion's den and joined the Demon-Slaying Sect despite being a member of the Demon Clan, all for the Demon Spirit Pearl inside the Demon-Suppressing Tower.

Aside from the Demon Spirit Pearl, one other thing could ease it: human blood.

That was precisely why so many members of the Demon Clan, stripped of all reason by demon blood backlash, hunted mortals and drank their blood, bringing disaster upon the human world.

"Urgh..." Xie Jun groaned, his teeth clenched tightly as blood seeped from the corner of his mouth.

His body swayed, and he barely managed to push Xiao Qinghe away. "Senior brother, stay away from me..."

The flower in his hand fell to the ground. He collapsed as well, curling into a ball in utter misery.

Xiao Qinghe moved to help him again.

"I told you to stay away!" Xie Jun suddenly raised his head, his eyes bloodshot and his demon marks fully exposed.

He looked terrifying and pitiful all at once.

Xiao Qinghe sighed deeply, picked up the longsword, and cut his palm.

Blood welled up.

The scent of blood provoked Xie Jun. His eyes instantly turned scarlet, and his voice was unbearably hoarse. "Senior brother, why..."

Because I still need to ride your coattails, of course. I can't let you die now!

Naturally, he couldn't say that.

Wearing the benevolent expression of a caring older brother, Xiao Qinghe extended his hand toward the youth and said gently, "You're my junior brother. Saving you is my duty."

The youth shuddered and stared blankly at him for several seconds. Finally, like a starving wolf spotting a bone, he lunged forward, seized his hand, and bit down.

"Hiss..."

Could you be a little gentler?

Xiao Qinghe sucked in a breath.

As though sensing that he had gone rigid with pain, the youth gradually loosened his bite. The demon marks on his face faded, and his scarlet eyes slowly regained their focus.

Looking at the palm that was still bleeding, he stopped drinking.

Then he extended his tongue.