Chapter 40: A Compromising Discovery

But to possess such a spiritual root, only to then cultivate demonic arts, left him somewhat bewildered.

Logically, with such a spiritual root, joining a righteous immortal sect would guarantee him intensive cultivation, especially as it was already a high-grade fire spiritual root.

As for why it wasn’t a supreme-grade spiritual root, it was because its effect on demonic cultivators above the Nascent Soul stage was minimal, with its destructive power even falling short of a mid-grade root.

“Have you gawked enough already…”

The small bat lay weakly on Chu Lingge’s fair, jade-like hand, rolling its eyes.

Unfortunately, he himself was not on the fire’s exemption list.

He needed to find someone to completely absorb all the flames, leaving not a trace behind, and within the Demonic Sword Sect, only Bai Zhenye and Chu Lingge practiced non-demonic cultivation arts.

Bai Zhenye simply disdained the speed advantage offered by demonic cultivation, having joined the Demonic Sword Sect solely for the purpose of slaying others.

As a Charismatic Body Cultivator (TL Note: A cultivator who refines their physical body, often developing an innate charm or seductive aura as a byproduct of their cultivation), Chu Lingge seemed to possess an even more profound cultivation technique, one that appeared to be the work of a prominent family, making it inconvenient to inquire further.

“Any longer, and my demonic energy will be completely incinerated… then we won’t be able to cooperate.”

Chu Lingge, her eyes brimming with curiosity, meticulously played with the weakened Su Qin in her hand, much like a little girl who had stumbled upon a precious treasure.

Upon hearing this, she couldn’t help but put away her playful demeanor, revealing the earnestness befitting a Hall Master.

“Hall Master Su, there’s no need to rush. This concubine has never encountered such flames before, which is why I was observing them for a moment.”

Su Qin glanced at her; even when she adopted her most serious expression, an indescribable aura of seduction still emanated from her entire being.

And she smelled… scorching.

Yet, in Chu Lingge’s heart, her satisfaction with Su Qin deepened even further.

He was simply too perfect. With such a person by her side, what could possibly go wrong?

“This concubine now understands precisely what needs to be done.”

Chu Lingge offered a faint smile, then closed all the surrounding doors and windows.

Simultaneously, she instructed her maidservants to cancel all her appointments for the day, and ordered them not to disturb her, regardless of any sounds emanating from the room.

No matter who arrived, they were to be turned away at the door.

“Hall Master Su is Lingge’s ally; Lingge will certainly lend her full support. Please, Hall Master, reveal your true form.”

Su Qin nodded, then flew from her hand to the bed.

Given that medicine and martial arts were intertwined, and Chu Lingge was a Body Cultivator, she likely possessed considerable knowledge of human anatomy. In his human form, she would be better able to absorb all the flames.

This was truly being consumed by flames, a torment far worse than being consumed by desire.

As she had yet to adorn herself, Chu Lingge was clad only in a short tunic, its hem precariously cupping her full, rounded hips.

Every subtle movement she made stirred a faint worry that her soft, luscious flesh might just escape.

“Hall Master Su, you… why haven’t you transformed yet?”

Chu Lingge leaned in, slowly crawling closer, her body glistening with fine, fragrant perspiration.

Su Qin hesitated for a moment before revealing his true form. Having been scorched so thoroughly, his spiritual robes were gone, and his physique had become somewhat frail.

Chu Lingge visibly froze for a second, as if something within her heart had been stirred.

“Please, I beg you.”

Though disoriented from the burning, Su Qin’s face was alight with relief.

He had finally escaped the shadow of those few words.

Upon first awakening, he had gathered the cards in his hand, and truly almost fainted from shock.

For the past few days, he had been cautious everywhere he went: first, due to being unfamiliar with his surroundings and fearing exposure; second, out of concern that he might accidentally provoke some Child of Destiny (TL Note: A common trope in web novels referring to a protagonist blessed by fate), forcing him to an early demise.

Now, it seemed that destiny was not entirely unchangeable.

In that case, there was no need for such caution.

Su Qin lay comfortably prone, reveling in the kneading of her soft, smooth hands, as the internal heat within his body was gradually absorbed by Chu Lingge through their skin-to-skin contact.

Once most of the flames had dissipated, Su Qin raised an eyebrow.

Within Silver Blossom Hall, hundreds of thousands of blood beasts and their masters re-established their connection, and a bloody gust of wind slowly materialized beside him.

The battlefield, while fraught with the dangers of death, also presented numerous opportunities. It was through a burst of his potential this time that he had managed to harness this bloody wind.

From his perspective, this bloody wind was not yet in its complete form; with a bit of development, it should suffice for the near future.

Chu Lingge shivered, instinctively glancing at the corner of the room, but finding nothing, she resumed her massage.

Yet, for some unknown reason, the more purple flames she absorbed, the more inexplicably feverish her body became, and her soft, beautiful thighs began to unconsciously rub together.

The demon lord’s slightly weakened form was entirely to her liking; with every touch, her breathing involuntarily deepened, and her heart rate never slowed.

She longed, she yearned to press him down, and then…

‘No, Chu Lingge, the main task is paramount…’

As for drawing “正” (TL Note: The character ‘正’ can mean ‘proper’ or ‘straight,’ often used humorously to imply maintaining composure or moral uprightness), that could wait for later.

‘Hmph, let’s see who dares to provoke me now!’ Su Qin proudly raised an eyebrow.

When a demon lord is preoccupied, you might pluck a few hairs from them, and they won’t react. But once they catch their breath, he’d like to see who would be so blind as to still offend them.

Su Qin was completely relaxed, sprawling languidly.

As the flames diminished, Chu Lingge hesitated for a moment, then flipped him over.

‘What strong hands she has.’

Su Qin sighed inwardly, but then suddenly realized something was amiss.

‘Why flip me over?!’

Seeing Chu Lingge exhaling fragrant breaths, her face flushed crimson, and her peach-blossom eyes seemingly spitting fire, Su Qin hastily said:

“You, you first… stop!”

“Hall Master Su, this is a crucial moment; please cooperate!”

Chu Lingge, speaking with righteous conviction, pressed her smooth hand against him.

Su Qin was stunned for a moment, but upon closer inspection, he saw the purple flames being drawn to the surface of his dantian, and a look of sudden understanding dawned in his eyes.

First, use massage to relax him, then guide the purple flames to a specific area, and finally, draw them out.

They had to be thoroughly extinguished, or they would remain hidden within his dantian, continuing to burn, much like a smoldering lamp.

“Then, I shall trouble you.”

Su Qin gritted his teeth, silently enduring.

***

After finally shedding the torment of the purple flames, Chu Lingge went to cleanse herself, while Su Qin donned the bathrobe she had provided.

“Shall we continue?”

Returning after freshening up, Chu Lingge, too, was clad in a bathrobe, and with a charming smile, she cast a flirtatious glance his way.

“Ahem, let’s settle the bill first.”

Su Qin awkwardly rubbed his nose, knowing that even between allies, accounts needed to be settled clearly.

The two sat facing each other on the bed, each maintaining a serious demeanor.

“You will abide by our alliance, right?” Su Qin confirmed once more.

“Indeed. This concubine will help you handle the aftermath, ensuring no public opinion (TL Note: Refers to public sentiment or media scrutiny) implicates you.”

“Good.” Su Qin nodded.

This point was incredibly valuable. According to their alliance, whenever such incidents occurred in the future, Su Qin would be responsible for the action, while she would handle the disposal of illicit gains and the aftermath.

Su Qin was well aware of this immortal maiden’s ability to control public discourse.

Following this, he produced several bags of spirit stones. When he had duplicated the blood beasts, he had also thoroughly plundered the area; now he possessed far more than a million.

“Sect Master, please wait a moment! Please allow your subordinate to announce your arrival!”

The shouts of a Sehua Hall disciple came from outside the door. Upon hearing the words “Sect Master,” Su Qin’s powerful body stiffened.

“My Lord! Our Hall Master is currently meeting with an important guest, please…”

Bai Zhenye remained silent, her expression utterly frigid.

Terrifying spiritual energy violently tore the door from its hinges. With a flash, she entered, her beautiful eyes anxiously searching for her target.

And at this very moment, the man who owed her a child, and her best friend, were both sitting on the bed.

Both were wearing identical bathrobes, looking as if they had just broken a sweat. Su Qin, feeling a pang of guilt, lowered his head.

He didn’t even dare to meet her gaze!

And on their intertwined hands rested several full bags of spirit stones.