Chapter Forty-One: The Demon Is Right Before His Eyes!

The cold glint in the Tiger Lord’s eyes had yet to fade. As his spiritual sense swept across the lakebed, he strode slowly toward Ouyang Ke. Ouyang Ke unconsciously drew a sharp breath; the scene he had just witnessed had shaken him as never before.

This old beggar... was not human at all!

A demon stood right before his very eyes!

Forcing a smile, Ouyang Ke tried to utter a few words of flattery. Yet before he could speak, the Tiger Lord interrupted him, “Is this the immortal fate you spoke of?”

There was no sign of any immortal destiny—only a puppet made from a human body. The puppet had a rather handsome appearance; it seemed the ghost had used it to compensate for its own weaknesses. With such a vessel, the ghost could possess a physical form, no longer vulnerable to the world’s yang energy.

Ouyang Ke tried to defend himself, “Senior, I was deceived! I was utterly duped! I cannot quell my rage unless I kill that fiend!”

The Tiger Lord’s gaze remained indifferent. “Fools are unworthy of life, wasting the world’s spiritual energy.”

His victory this time was owed entirely to luck; had the foe been a cultivator, his own fate would have been dire indeed.

Without hesitation, the Tiger Lord twisted Ouyang Ke’s neck, ending his life. He had kept Ouyang Ke around merely as a cover, but to keep a fool close would only bring harm in the end.

Ouyang Ke’s eyes widened in shock. At the moment of death, only one thought flashed through his mind: This old man seemed so harmless... who could have guessed he was so ruthless? Yet considering the other’s demonic nature, understanding quickly dawned, and then all was over. Ouyang Ke was dead beyond recall.

The Tiger Lord collected the puppet crafted from Gao Wenyao, then vanished in a leap.

...

Su Jian had only just led Zhao Qianxue out of the city when the system sent a message that left him momentarily stunned.

[Player Ouyang Ke has been killed by the beggar incarnated by the Tiger Lord of Dragon and Tiger.]

[Player Ouyang Ke is dead; the quest has been forcibly interrupted. Would you like to spend fifty thousand spiritual points to resurrect Player Ouyang Ke?]

Su Jian didn’t dare hesitate; he rejected without a second thought.

Damn system’s just out to rob me! Summoning a new player costs only fifty thousand spiritual points anyway—even if the new one is mediocre, surely they can’t be worse than an ordinary mortal.

---

Su Jian’s gaze narrowed slightly. “That old beggar—is he a demon?”

The demon race and the human race had always been mortal enemies; for such a being to appear in Lingzhou City was unlikely to be mere coincidence. Could he, too, be after the Vajra Ring?

Whatever the case, at least the demon’s attention wasn’t on him—yet. Though Su Jian still didn’t know the ring’s true purpose, judging by both the Righteous Alliance and Su Henli’s covetousness, it must be a treasure rare in the world.

He glanced at Zhao Qianxue, deciding to ask if she knew anything about the ring. Previously, he’d thought it unlikely she knew more than he did, and even if she did, he couldn’t fully trust her. But now that their relationship had deepened, there was little harm in asking; he had nothing to lose.

After hearing his account, Zhao Qianxue replied at once, “That’s something my father passed on—how could I not know?”

Su Jian was surprised; he hadn’t expected his guess to be wrong. This was a pleasant and unforeseen gain. No wonder she was the former palace master’s daughter...

He pressed further, “Did your father ever mention what it’s actually for?”

Zhao Qianxue explained, “It’s the palace master’s token. Since the founding of Biyou Divine Palace, it’s been passed down through generations. But even my father didn’t know its true purpose, so it ended up in Chen Luo’s hands.”

Su Jian felt a pang of disappointment, mixed with some confusion. If even the old palace master didn’t know, how did Su Henli learn of it?

Zhao Qianxue caught on. “Don’t tell me you have it now?”

Otherwise, Su Jian wouldn’t be asking. He smiled ambiguously, deciding there was no more need to hide the truth.

Zhao Qianxue laughed softly. “Too bad Su Henli misjudged—he never had your respect.”

Just as Su Jian was about to reply, he suddenly sensed a surge of spiritual energy approaching rapidly, clearly headed their way.

Su Jian frowned, swiftly produced several Grand Shift Talismans, and pressed a few into Zhao Qianxue’s hand.

In an instant, the newcomer appeared in their line of sight.

It was a young woman.

But Su Jian would not be fooled by appearances; she seemed harmless, but who knew if she was venomous within.

---

At this point, everyone looked suspicious to Su Jian—there were always treacherous souls scheming against him.

In a flash, a graceful woman blocked their path.

She greeted them with a friendly smile, “Fellow cultivators, did you just come from Lingzhou?”

Su Jian, recalling that one should never rebuff a smiling face, returned her smile, “Indeed. May I ask why you seek us, Immortal Lady?”

Denying it would be pointless; she was clearly asking a question she already knew the answer to. If he denied it, it would only make him seem guilty.

After a brief exchange, Su Jian learned her name: Pei Aoyun, a self-proclaimed itinerant cultivator from the area.

A cultivator in the Nascent Soul stage this young? Su Jian sneered inwardly, not bothering to expose her. She dared not even show her true face—clearly a skulking rat.

Pei Aoyun’s eyes flickered. “Why have you left Lingzhou, fellow cultivator?”

Su Jian’s expression darkened. “Do you mean to prey upon us because we seem weak and alone? Planning to kill us for our treasures?”

Best to test her first. Despite her Nascent Soul cultivation, he was confident he could handle her. One Grand Shift Talisman was enough to send her packing.

Still, it was better not to make trouble at this juncture.

Moreover, they were strangers, with no grievances between them. Even a villain would need a reason to harm them. If there was any scheme, it could only be because she recognized them or intended to rob them.

Pei Aoyun smiled, “Of course not, you misunderstand. I am no fiend from the demonic sects, but a righteous cultivator. I stopped you out of desperation.”

“Oh?” Su Jian gestured for her to continue.

Pei Aoyun spoke unhurriedly, “To be frank, I have several companions who recently vanished without a trace in Lingzhou. It’s a remote place with few passing cultivators. It is truly fate that I’ve met you here.”

Then her gaze sharpened, fixing on Su Jian. “What I wish to ask is, have you heard any word of them in Lingzhou?”

Su Jian’s heart skipped a beat, but he showed no sign of it. After a moment’s thought, he replied slowly, “Just last night, a great event did indeed occur in Lingzhou City...”