Chapter 10: The Saintess’s Gambit

This rare treasure, something even the Azure Profound Sect lacked, was astonishingly available to someone from childhood, and now lay here, completely unused.

Truly, what comes easily is seldom cherished.

If she were a disciple, she would undoubtedly cling to it every single day.

No matter, for now, only her scent lingered upon it, a fragrance that would not dissipate for at least three months.

“No, it’s not enough.”

Qi Shuyue shed her clothes, pressing her entire body against its surface.

“The scent here must remain for at least half a year.”

A surge of indignation welled within her, fueled by the thought of someone possessing her most coveted desire since childhood, yet failing to cherish it.

A mischievous thought began to blossom in her mind.

“If you don’t want it, then I shall thoroughly brand it with my mark, making you regret it even as you call me ‘Mistress’!”

***

Footsteps echoed from outside the courtyard, revealing a woman clad in black form-fitting attire, her hair pulled back into a ponytail.

Her nose bridge was high, her lips a vibrant crimson, and a pair of captivating, expressive ‘peach blossom’ eyes were framed by straight, resolute brows, giving her an air of striking heroism.

Han Zhiyun stepped inside, finally laying eyes on the unsuspecting Qi Shuyue.

Even though the other person was also female, Han Zhiyun couldn’t help but blush, casting a glance down at her own endowments before lowering her head even further.

“I won’t go with you.”

Qi Shuyue smiled faintly, pinpointing Han Zhiyun’s objective.

She had noticed this figure at least twice while in the dungeon.

“Why?” Han Zhiyun’s lovely face tightened.

“That fellow has already turned into a ghost; he’ll die at the merest touch of sunlight, powerless during the day. I can easily lead you out of this hell.”

Qi Shuyue merely smiled, silent, as she gazed at the perplexed young woman before her, then slowly began to speak:

“It’s simple. I don’t trust you.”

Han Zhiyun was utterly bewildered, repeatedly scrutinizing the young woman before her.

There was no trace of poison, no restrictive demonic puppet possession, not even the slightest hint of demonic cultivation.

Yet why did she not wish to leave?

‘It must be brainwashing! That fellow is a master of bewitching hearts; he must have brainwashed her, yes, just as he did to me back then.’

Han Zhiyun bit her crimson lip.

“If I’m untrustworthy, then is he trustworthy?”

Qi Shuyue suddenly let out a relieved laugh, as if a heavy stone had been lifted from her heart.

She couldn’t help but smile, a hint of pity flickering in her eyes.

‘I had initially thought these disciples would either be troublesome or cunning, but to think they are all like this… well, then I can’t be blamed.’

‘Winning against women like you is far too easy.’

“Of course, I don’t fully trust him, but I trust you even less. Forgive my bluntness, but leaving with you right now is the option with the highest risk of death.”

Han Zhiyun was utterly baffled; she was clearly here to rescue someone.

“This is the Demonic Sect. What if I carelessly run off with a stranger and fall into peril?”

Qi Shuyue’s words implied suspicion of her identity.

Han Zhiyun frowned, then produced her fate token (TL Note: A magical item used to identify cultivators, often linked to their life force or sect affiliation).

“You needn’t worry about that. As you can see, I am that person’s disciple, and I am very familiar with the Demonic Sect.”

Qi Shuyue merely smiled, her conviction growing stronger.

“That makes you even less trustworthy. You and Su Qin are in league; how could I possibly believe you would rescue me?”

“Don’t lump me in with him; he’s a demon!”

Hearing this, Han Zhiyun immediately flared with anger, yet in the subtle nuances, the deep-seated fear within her remained visible.

Qi Shuyue remained unhurried, finding this level of engagement akin to a ‘noob-slaughter’ (TL Note: A gaming term referring to a situation where experienced players easily defeat inexperienced ones), an absolute massacre.

“Alright, then I’ll tentatively assume you genuinely wish to save me, but I believe your motives are impure.”

Accomplished Blood Dao cultivators disdain blood-sucking; it only contaminates their aura, making future cultivation far more arduous.

Yet Su Qin had done so.

As a Saintess, she had, at the very least, encountered Blood-Zombies.

“You just said he’s become a ghost, meaning you know his physical condition. So why are you still coming to save me?”

“If it were me, I would hide and wait for him to die on his own; there’d be no need for all this.”

Han Zhiyun scoffed.

“Dying that way would be too easy for him.”

“No, no,” Qi Shuyue slowly analyzed,

“That reason isn’t sufficient. You can certainly vent your anger, but have you considered what would happen to your junior sister if I couldn’t be found? The little sister, I’ve seen her. She also came to the dungeon, but she merely took a distant glance and left.”

Han Zhiyun’s pupils constricted; she was clearly stumped by the question.

Qi Shuyue seized the opportunity.

“It appears you haven’t considered her safety, and you haven’t even informed her of your return to the Demonic Sect.

So, for something that could have simply waited a while, why would you risk your junior sister’s life to save me? This doesn’t align with your interests.

There’s only one possibility: someone instigated you. Someone is behind you.

The junior sister came for confirmation, and now the senior sister comes again for confirmation.

Your sisters’ information isn’t interconnected, and that person even chose to have you both confirm repeatedly to ensure the accuracy of their final intelligence.

How can you expect me to trust someone who manipulates situations from behind the scenes through deception? You might not harm me, but can you guarantee he won’t?

What if he harbors malicious intent?”

“He wouldn’t do that!” Han Zhiyun retorted furiously.

A hint of amusement deepened on Qi Shuyue’s face.

No matter how many such girls came, they would never defeat her.

“Heh, unable to utter a single word in defense. It seems there’s not only affection but also gratitude involved. Go on, I will never trust people like you.”

Han Zhiyun, filled with both shame and rage, let out a cold huff and turned to leave.

“Then, Miss Qi, please conduct yourself with dignity.”

“Wait a moment.”

Qi Shuyue called out, stopping her.

Han Zhiyun was already growing impatient.

“What do you want?”

“I merely wish to tell you that if you leave today, you will never have another chance. You are unworthy of being his disciple.”

Not a trace of jest could be discerned on Qi Shuyue’s serious face.

“Do you truly intend to leave?”

“That scoundrel? Even if he died, I wouldn’t want him.”

Han Zhiyun turned and departed, a faint smile playing on Qi Shuyue’s lips.

“Then remember this: you are utterly unqualified.”

Han Zhiyun offered no further response, storming off in a huff, while Qi Shuyue resumed her enjoyment of the jade bed.

***

Meanwhile, in the workshop, the diligently cultivating Su Qin had just awoken from a deep meditation, letting out a yawn.

“Time always flies so quickly during cultivation. The magical artifacts Gu Yuhe provided yesterday were quite timely.”

Many offensive techniques cultivated in the Demonic Sect paid little heed to spiritual root attributes, instead featuring cultivators who relied on bone swords, corpse puppets, soul refinement, or talisman cultivation, none of which depended on specific spiritual roots for attack.

Most demonic cultivators found their spiritual power tending towards chaos the further they progressed, creating a sense of all paths leading to the same destination.

However, after a night of restoration and cultivation, he discovered that beneath the concealing aura of blood fiend energy, he possessed the rare dual spiritual roots of Wood and Fire!

‘Perfect! My favorite “old coiner” talent build (TL Note: “Old coiner” or “lao yingbi” is a Chinese internet slang term referring to a cunning, sly, or experienced player who uses unconventional or tricky tactics to win) from gaming is complete.

Now, even if I encounter Bai Zhenye, I might not be without a chance of survival.’

The time until his disintegration had already been extended to three months from now, so there was no need to worry in the short term.

“That girl, Qi Shuyue, truly brings me joy!”