Chapter 3: Trouble

“As long as it can revitalize the demonic path and glorify the Radiant Sect, I’d gladly brave mountains of blades or seas of fire. What’s a mere marriage in comparison?”

Knowing the mission was non-negotiable, Li Xingruo swiftly changed her tone.

“Good. That’s the resolve every member of our sect should have.”

Pleased with her compliance, Elder Lin nodded approvingly.

“Xingruo, are you wondering why, since your demonic aura is already gone and you could infiltrate the immortal sects through normal means to access the spirit vein, you must marry the third disciple of the Huangji Sect?”

“I won’t hide it—I truly don’t understand,” Li Xingruo admitted, nodding.

Elder Lin let out a slow sigh:

“The spirit vein is the immortal sects’ absolute forbidden ground, opened only once every hundred years to allow their most outstanding young disciples to undergo its baptism.

In five years, the spirit vein will open again. If we miss this chance, we’d have to wait another century.

The demonic path is waning, while the immortal sects grow stronger. We… don’t have another century to spare.

Xingruo, you are the only Heavenly Spirit Root our Radiant Sect has seen in centuries. The future hope of the demonic path rests on you alone. If there were any other way, I’d risk my life to avoid putting you in such danger.”

“I see…”

Elder Lin’s words left a heavy weight in Li Xingruo’s heart.

Abandoned by her parents as a child, she was raised by her master, who brought her into the sect.

While she felt little attachment to the demonic path, the Demon Lord, or the Radiant Sect, she knew revitalizing the demonic path was her master’s lifelong wish.

Thus, she didn’t want to see the demonic path decline.

After a brief silence, Li Xingruo asked:

“Elder, how can a mortal family’s daughter, married into the Huangji Sect but not a core disciple, qualify to enter the immortal sects’ spirit vein?”

“Heh, you caught that quickly. No wonder your master often praises your sharp mind.”

Elder Lin seemed pleased with her question.

Stroking his beard, he said, “This is the brilliance of the Demon Lord’s plan. Si Ruochen, the third disciple of the Huangji Sect, is no ordinary figure. He’s the last disciple of the sect’s old leader. Before the old leader’s reincarnation, he entrusted Chui Xing Peak to Si Ruochen. If you marry him, you’ll become the mistress of Chui Xing Peak. With proper management, you could influence the allocation of spirit vein quotas in the future.”

“I’ve heard the former Huangji Sect leader was a profound cultivator. His direct disciple must be exceptional,” Li Xingruo said, her delicate brows furrowing. “How could such a person be betrothed to a mortal woman? And with someone like him, wouldn’t my actions be restricted at every turn?”

Elder Lin shook his head with a smile. “You’re cautious, but there’s no need to worry.”

“Why not?”

“After taking over Chui Xing Peak, Si Ruochen tried to pry into the heavens’ secrets with divination and suffered a backlash from the Heavenly Dao. He’s now a cripple.”

“A cripple?”

“Indeed. It’s no secret in the immortal sects. If not for the old leader’s lingering influence, Chui Xing Peak would likely have a new master by now.”

Hearing this, a dark line crossed Li Xingruo’s forehead.

“Uh… forgive my bluntness, but if Si Ruochen is already a cripple, even if I become the mistress of Chui Xing Peak, how much authority could I possibly have?”

“That depends on your own abilities,” Elder Lin said helplessly. “The demonic path is weakened, and bribing the Li family was the best we could do. We can only get you this far. Once you’re in the Huangji Sect, you’ll need to act as opportunities arise and seize any chance you can.”

At this, Elder Lin glanced at Li Xingruo with a hint of guilt before adding, “Actually, even if the Chui Xing Peak route fails, you still have a shortcut.”

“A shortcut? Please enlighten me, Elder.”

“With your water-type Heavenly Spirit Root, once you’re in the Huangji Sect, if you… communicate more with their high-ranking members, securing a spirit vein quota is quite likely… cough You understand what I mean, right?”

“What?!”

Li Xingruo was instantly dumbfounded.

Elder Lin’s words sounded like… he was suggesting she use her water-type Heavenly Spirit Root’s ideal cauldron qualities to seduce the Huangji Sect’s higher-ups?

So, aside from forcing her to marry, they had an even more humiliating backup plan?

F*ck, as expected of the Demon Lord and the demonic elders!

Those shameless old bastards! I, Li Xingruo, a proud man, would never stoop to serving others with my looks.

Once I’m out of the demonic territory, I’ll run and ditch this marriage. Let someone else marry if they want!

“I understand, Elder.”

Deciding to escape, Li Xingruo put on a compliant facade to ease Elder Lin’s suspicions and hasten her departure from the demonic domain.

“Do you have any other questions about the mission?” Elder Lin, surprised by her lack of objections, pressed further.

“Please provide me with as much detailed information as possible about the Li family and the Huangji Sect.”

“It’s all prepared and placed in the sedan for your departure.”

“Sedan?”

“Of course. You’re a lady now. You can’t just ride a horse like before, can you?”

“…”

“Oh, and I had your master bring in some palace maids to teach you women’s etiquette. We need to do this thoroughly.”

“…”

“Don’t look so glum. Go prepare. That’s all for today. Time’s short, so off you go.”

“I… take my leave.”

After parting with Elder Lin, several middle-aged palace maids were indeed brought to the Radiant Sect.

Before Li Xingruo could protest, they insisted on helping her bathe, burn incense, and dress her hair.

Still unaccustomed to her new female identity, Li Xingruo couldn’t handle such attention. Her face flushed, and she hurriedly shooed them out.

It took a while to calm down. By the time the water in the petal-strewn tub had cooled, she stepped out.

As water droplets slid down her skin, Li Xingruo dazedly approached the polished bronze mirror by the wall.

Her gaze lingered on the girl’s snow-white, alluring collarbone in the reflection, then naturally drifted downward.

“Heh, no wonder they say water-type spirit root women are ideal…”

Her eyes continued downward.

“…Wait, why is there nothing…”

A faint dizziness washed over Li Xingruo.

The girl in the mirror was near perfection—tall, curvaceous, radiant, and breathtakingly beautiful.

Seeing herself so stunningly attractive, Li Xingruo wanted to cry but had no tears.

As she thought this, the girl in the mirror mirrored her pitiful expression, instantly becoming even more alluring.

“Hah!”

Suddenly, as if struck by enlightenment, Li Xingruo’s resolve to escape the marriage solidified.

Such a beauty—she hadn’t even had the chance to enjoy such a woman before, so how could she let some unseen Ubiquitous stranger like Si Ruochen take advantage of her?

No way! Not even the Heavenly King himself could make her marry!

With her cold scoff, the girl in the mirror flashed a captivating sneer. Li Xingruo felt dizzy and cursed at the reflection:

“Disaster!”