Once they arrived, Lion Cat jumped in first, submerging completely in the spring water.
Washing over and over again.
The Princess Consort had intended to find a spot along the edge and ease herself down, but the next moment, she saw a figure streak past the lakeside and fly straight into the distance.
From afar, she could only make out a fitted green outfit and a bouncing ponytail that was still slightly wet.
And the sword strapped to the figure's back.
"Strange. Someone came to bathe this early?"
"As expected, everyone in the Demon Cult is despicable and shameless."
"That demon did this to me. I wonder who did it to that person."
She let out a wistful sigh and slid into the pool.
The hot spring gradually submerged her skin, pale and smooth as mutton-fat jade.
It eased much of her pain and allowed her to think carefully about what had happened last night.
Those caught in the game were blind to it; those watching from outside saw clearly.
Last night, she had been brimming with confidence.
She had believed that, armed with what she had learned, she could surely conquer that demon and make him let his guard down.
Who could have imagined that he would remain clearheaded from beginning to end? She had not even had a chance to raise the Hairpin, let alone assassinate him.
And the strangest thing was...
She had even felt as though she and that demon shared the same thoughts. Just as she was preparing to try the first position, he had already gotten into place.
Their coordination had been seamless.
They really had seemed like an old married couple.
"Pah!"
"Who's married to that demon?"
"That demon and I cannot live under the same sky. I will kill him!"
She gnashed her teeth, furious beyond measure.
Only after a long while did she emerge from her fury and consider the next question.
Tonight...
Should I keep trying to assassinate him?
Her resolve to kill him would never change, but she was truly exhausted.
After a long hesitation, the demon's consort looked at the white cat floating on the water, murderous intent surging within her.
No! I absolutely cannot give up halfway!
Otherwise, wouldn't I have suffered all that bullying for nothing?
When she got down to it, the reason she had failed last night...
Was simply that the demon was too cunning and still wary of her.
Besides, she had not fully grasped the essence of what she had learned last night, which was why she had never found a chance to strike.
But she would improve, and she would never submit.
Once she went back today, she would start studying the second page.
What was more, she would have to treat that demon even better, making him believe all the more firmly that her love for him had taken deep root.
Only then could she seize even the slightest opportunity.
Yes, that was it, wasn't it?
She gritted her teeth, brimming with confidence.
Glug, glug!
She ducked underwater and began blowing bubbles.
After playing for a long time, she had barely climbed ashore when her legs went weak, nearly sending her tumbling to the ground again.
"Demon, just you wait for your death!"
Meanwhile, inside the Demon Venerable Pavilion.
Fang Yang had just returned.
He saw that the Princess Consort's affection had risen by another few points, and his Matchmaking Points had increased accordingly.
He smiled calmly and nodded in satisfaction.
Good. It looked like I was on the right track!
The power of learning truly was formidable. He had accomplished what the Demon Venerable could not.
Next, it was time to study the Booklet's second page.
Princess Consort, I'll give you a surprise.
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Chapter 17: Too Familiar
"True qi floods the body; the spirit follows the will!"
Inside the Demon Venerable Pavilion, Fang Yang held a copy of the Heavenly Demon Art.
He quietly practiced his cultivation.
Aura energy slowly circulated around his body.
Although this energy was only as thick as his little finger, he was still immensely excited.
Cultivation was an exceedingly difficult undertaking.
A place, companions, methods, and wealth!
Not one could be lacking.
But for the Demon Venerable, acquiring these was as easy as turning over a hand.
Across the entire Tang Kingdom, there were very few whose talent for cultivation surpassed the Demon Venerable's.
Moreover, Fang Yang had the Demon Venerable's entire treasury at his disposal.
If he wanted cultivation methods, he had cultivation methods.
If he wanted medicinal pills, he had medicinal pills.
On top of that, this body had previously reached the Dharmakaya Realm. Even though all its cultivation had dissipated, its solid foundation remained.
As a result, in just two short days, his body had already begun producing aura energy.
In other words, he had already reached the level of a third-rank expert.
Boom!
Inside the palace, his eyes snapped open.
He thrust out a palm.
Rumble!
Rumble!
His palm struck the tree before him.
The tree remained entirely unharmed, seemingly unchanged.
But the instant he turned around, the entire tree crashed down. Its trunk had become completely hollow inside, reduced to fine powder.
This made him nod in satisfaction.
Not bad. It had some power to it. A single palm strike would be enough to crush an ordinary small fry.
However, while cultivation was important, raising affection and acquiring Matchmaking Points were even more important.
After all, cultivation was a long-term endeavor, whereas Matchmaking Points could make him stronger immediately, just like the skill card for his eldest disciple that he had drawn last time.
It was the equivalent of gaining another trump card.
Against an expert below the Dharmakaya Realm, a single sword strike would be enough to kill them outright.
But... his eldest disciple's hatred ran too deep.
And she was far too powerful. Even now, she might still be wondering whether he was gravely injured.
Going to raise her affection now would be courting death.
He would be best off focusing all his efforts on the Princess Consort.
Although the Princess Consort's affection for him was very low.
There seemed to be some special feeling between them, and she trusted him completely.
The only thing that irritated him a little was this.
According to that demon's records, he had to lavish his favor on the Princess Consort every single day.
And each time lasted the entire night.
Even a body forged from iron could not withstand that.
"Looks like I'll have to find time to look around Spring Passion Hall. Maybe they have some other tonics."
Fang Yang shook his head and began studying his little Booklet again.
Today's focus was the second page.
And the position on the second page was even more difficult than the first, requiring close coordination. He still did not know whether they could pull it off tonight.
Before you continue