Just as the Hehuan Sect Master's palm came within three cun of Ah Gou's brow, she seemed to think of something and forcibly halted it. Even so, the residual force still sent Ah Gou flying backward, nearly killing him.
Her expression turned icy cold. “You dog! If it weren’t for... I’d have killed you today! Don't think being spared means you're off the hook!”
With a flip of her hand, a red jade talisman fell into her palm. When she urged it with her cultivation, it lit up with a bizarre rune. An identical rune also appeared on Ah Gou’s brow. The moment both runes trembled simultaneously, Ah Gou convulsed violently as if enduring immense agony.
Until the end, his dull and lifeless gaze didn’t change in the slightest, as if long accustomed to such pain. To him, life and death had long lost any meaning. The sole glimmer of light in his dark life was merely that colorful thread.
After tormenting Ah Gou for a good while, the Hehuan Sect Master’s fury finally subsided. She casually tossed a bottle of pills beside Ah Gou, then put away the jade talisman, not sparing him another glance.
Beside her, a disciple cautiously approached, offering a flattering smile. “Sect Master, would you like to relax a little? There are still a few fine human cauldrons locked in the dungeon—”
The Hehuan Sect Master shot him a cold look. “Scram!”
Despite feeling pent-up, she showed no interest whatsoever. Her mind was filled only with Chongming. Human cultivators could no longer bring her any novelty.
She immediately ordered, “Go! Send some people and invite everyone from the nearby third-rate forces over. Tell them that I have matters to discuss with them!”
She was no fool. Though she seemed enraged, her mind remained perfectly clear. After seeing Ah Gou’s state, it was obvious his assassination had failed, which proved that Gu Han’s capabilities had surpassed her imagination. To ensure her safety and secure Chongming, she planned to enlist a few extra helpers.
Several disciples dared not delay in the slightest and departed. “Understood!”
The Hehuan Sect Master cast another disgusted look at Ah Gou. “Use your nose to help those people find him later! If you fail this time, I promise you won’t even be able to play as the dog anymore!”
Ah Gou’s gaze remained blank. “Yes... Master.”
Only this time, there seemed a hint of hesitation in his tone.
Failing to notice this small anomaly, she turned and made her way back to the inner hall. “Before those people arrive, bring those few human cauldrons over first!”
Even though they could no longer excite her, she still needed those human cauldrons to help quell her frustration before capturing Chongming.
***
“The old ancestor is here!” ℯ𝔴ℯ
“The old ancestor’s power is boundless, his divine might supreme!”
“The old ancestor is dead!”
“Greetings to the new old ancestor!”
Outside a mountain gate, a crowd of disciples knelt in a sprawling mass, kowtowing ceaselessly to the young man above them. Gu Han stood like a war god, his sword still dripping blood.
Moments ago, they had personally witnessed the old ancestor arrive with pomp and majesty, only to have his head cleaved off in one slash. Astonished as they were, their shift in attitude was equally swift. Cultivation, extortion, dead old ancestor. For the disciples of these unranked forces, these were the three mandatory experiences that they were long accustomed to.
After leaving that valley, Gu Han had begun his journey of hunting and scavenging. This was already the third one he had encountered. Just like before, owing to the peculiar customs of the Tiannan Realm, his success rate at hunting was a perfect ten out of ten.
Nevertheless, Gu Han could never get used to how indifferent the kneeling crowd was. Not only did they show not the slightest grief over their old ancestor's death, they even looked excited. He shook his head and began inspecting the storage ring of this unknown sect’s old ancestor. There were neither saint herbs nor Soul Crystals, but he wasn’t particularly disappointed.
After scavenging endlessly, he had already discerned the pattern. Aside from the Yinshan Old Ancestor, the unranked forces of the Tiannan Realm did not have any saint herbs. Even if they did, they would refine and consume them immediately, not daring to leave them to nurture. After all, if even a hint of the news got leaked, their efforts would be wasted. At worst, it could even invite a killing tribulation.
Gu Han did not spare those disciples another glance and departed. “Master Rooster, let’s go.”
“The old ancestor left?”
“What now?” ℯ
“Forget it, I’m going scavenging. If a new one arrives, notify me!”
“Let’s go together!”
The crowd was not overly disappointed at Gu Han leaving too. After a few exchanges, they each found their own escape routes—some scavenging, some staying behind, all with practiced familiarity.
***
Only after she had vented her frustrations did the Hehuan Sect Master emerge from the inner hall. A few more desiccated corpses decorated the jade bed.
In the outer hall, six people sat on white jade seats. Some were old, while some were young. They were all at the Feather Transformation realm, with the highest at the sixth stage of Feather Transformation, and the lowest at the third stage. All of them were the trusted leaders of the third-rate factions surrounding the Hehuan Sect.
The hall was deathly silent and somewhat awkward. Strictly speaking, they should be considered love rivals. And between rivals, there was little to say.
After a long while, the Hehuan Sect Master emerged in the outer hall, dressed as scantily as ever. Twelve eyes were fixed upon her, unable to look away. They had arrived long ago. With their cultivation, the commotion in the inner hall could not escape their perception. On normal days, if one came alone, they would have rushed in long ago. But now, with all six present, they still had some sense of decorum.
The Hehuan Sect Master chuckled. “Fellow Daoists, sorry for the trouble.”
“No, not at all!”
“What’s with the formality?!”
“We’re close! No need for such politeness!”
The six all waved their hands. In truth, being able to cultivate to the Feather Transformation realm meant they possessed considerable resolve and were hardly lecherous sorts. Nevertheless, dual cultivation with the Hehuan Sect Master increased their speed of comprehending the Great Dao severalfold, which explained their reaction.
The path of dual cultivation wasn't merely a base and depraved one; it did have its benefits. Besides, they didn't suddenly decide to obey a woman just because of her relationship with Ling Ya's disciple. Her own methods played no small part as well.
To her, those with cultivation lower than hers were human cauldrons, only to be used and discarded. Those with cultivation equal to hers were dual cultivation partners, with whom she could maintain a long-term relationship. Those with cultivation higher than hers were dear brothers, dear daddies.
“That’s the matter.” Having stated her purpose, her gaze rippled like a pool of spring water. Upon seeing the men itching with desire, she knew her goal was achieved and gave her promise. “Whoever captures them first, for the next three years, I will be yours and only yours.”
The eldest cultivator with the highest cultivation stood up, thumping his chest. “Rest assured, Sect Master. This expedition will be foolproof!”
The other five glanced at his withered, scrawny frame and sneered inwardly. Old fool!
“In that case, I will rest easy.” The Hehuan Sect Master smiled bewitchingly. Then, seemingly thinking of something, she was overcome with desire once again. “You can kill that boy, but the rooster demon must be brought back alive.”
The six of them were baffled.