Chapter 37: The Price of Provocation

‘A doubt couldn’t help but arise in his heart:

‘Shouldn’t losing a battle trigger a defeat cutscene? What exactly is happening here?’

“Don’t you dare say I have a smell! Taste this properly, then apologize!”

Qi Ning’s cheeks flushed crimson, indicating that Su Qin’s unintentional provocation had truly struck a nerve with her.

In truth, Su Qin hadn’t smelled anything; he had merely provoked her into action, intending to launch a sneak attack.

The Blood Demon Spirit Body’s keen sense of smell primarily targeted emotions, perceiving them and converting them into olfactory signals in the brain, rather than actually detecting a physical scent.

As for why he resorted to such insults, an ‘old brother’ from an internet forum in his previous life had once imparted the wisdom that personal attacks were the most effective way to provoke the opposite s*x.

‘That old brother led me astray…’

As Su Qin watched Qi Ning’s increasingly rough actions, a wave of humiliation washed over him, filling him with regret.

Back then, as the Saintess of the Righteous Path, the Azure Mystic Immortal was accompanied by auspicious clouds wherever she ventured, and a subtle, lingering fragrance would follow her into any chamber.

Picture this: people frantically dodging the attacks of sinister demonic cultivators, only for a goddess, bathed in radiant light, to descend in their moment of despair, permeating the surrounding ten li (TL Note: A traditional Chinese unit of distance, approximately 0.5 kilometers) with a faint, exquisite aroma.

It was precisely this striking impression that had earned Qi Ning her widespread renown in those days.

However, these intangible ‘buffs’ had been withdrawn after her failed tribulation; the Righteous Path would never acknowledge a failed Saintess.

Consequently, what Su Qin now perceived was actually a very strong, lived-in scent, tinged with a hint of saltiness.

‘Has she merely had her defenses broken?’

Su Qin pondered this inwardly, but swiftly dismissed the notion.

‘No, a true “prison player” (TL Note: A slang term referring to a dedicated, often hardcore, player who might engage in repetitive or challenging gameplay) whose defenses are truly broken would enter a withdrawn state, not act this wildly; she must have some other motive.’

Su Qin simply closed his eyes, his jaw still tightly clenched, and seeing this, Qi Ning grew increasingly displeased, that particular remark from him weighing ever heavier on her mind.

Nevertheless, she smiled malevolently and adjusted her posture.

“I don’t believe your eyes are truly empty.”

Qi Ning leaned close to his ear, whispering softly, then blew a breath of humid air, causing Su Qin to involuntarily shiver.

“Now is the moment.”

The immortal revealed a triumphant smile, as a gray phantom in the air suddenly erupted with a powerful suction, as if a gaping, bloody maw had clamped down on Su Qin’s right arm.

– CRACKLE

A wisp of red soul essence detached from his upright body, and to Su Qin’s astonished gaze, it was swallowed in one gulp by the aerial phantom.

‘This is a method similar to the Soul Refining Furnace?!’

The excruciating pain of his soul being torn apart made Su Qin feel as if his head were about to explode; he endured the agony, biting the tip of his tongue to forcibly regain his composure.

‘She wants to refine a Demonic Soul Clone, but why would a Nascent Soul cultivate such a thing?’

Not only could only Soul Transformation cultivators refine clones, but even if one were created, a Nascent Soul’s spirit would be unable to withstand it; possession would immediately lead to being consumed by tribulation clouds.

However, a ‘prison player’ wouldn’t do something foolish, so a conjecture began to form in Su Qin’s mind.

‘Her soul is already at the Soul Transformation level! She was struck down mid-ascension, which is why she lacks a Soul Transformation body!’

Su Qin broke out in a cold sweat, gazing at the Immortal Slaying Valley, which had nearly transformed into a lake; the ability to alter the natural environment of an entire region was simply not a divine ability possessed by a Nascent Soul cultivator.

‘It seems there are still difficulties, though; based on her actions, this must be the only way for my soul to be fully absorbed and for the refinement to succeed.’

In that case, he absolutely could not let her have her way!

If this ‘old hard coin’ (TL Note: A slang term for someone cunning, stingy, or difficult to deal with) were to reach Soul Transformation, she would certainly not spare his Silver Blossom Hall, nor would she spare the Demonic Sword Sect.

A demonic overlord might die, but the aftermath must also be considered!

Qi Ning observed the demonic soul, whose aura had clearly ascended a level, and couldn’t help but reveal a look of delight before leaning in again.

This time, however, the opponent firmly guarded his mind, and the Demonic Soul Clone failed to succeed.

‘Chancellor, help me!’

Su Qin repeatedly recited the chancellors’ masterpieces in his mind, chanting any chancellor’s work he could recall, and it proved remarkably effective.

Qi Ning bit her cherry-red lips with a hint of displeasure, her eyes sparkling with anger.

‘What a greedy fellow; is this still not enough to satisfy you?’

The Azure Mystic Immortal’s gaze sharpened, and the Clear River Treasure Sword appeared in her hand at her summons; she raised it and plunged it abruptly into Su Qin’s chest.

It was useless; the demonic overlord didn’t even flinch.

Physical torment was ineffective against such a stubborn individual; only by exploiting matters of romance and passion could his inner resolve be loosened.

“Hmph, swords and blades may be useless against you, but there are things far more potent than mere weapons.”

Qi Ning sneered, tore a strip of cloth from her own attire, blindfolded Su Qin, then turned him and bound his hands and feet as well.

After a rustling sound, her feverish body pressed against something cool, comfortable, and firm, causing Qi Ning to let out a soft moan.

She detested demonic cultivators, loathing them to the extreme, yet this person seemed different.

When she had first captured such a ‘resilient little fellow’, she had momentarily been overwhelmed by joy, even considering simply using him directly, ‘frying him first then braking’ (TL Note: A euphemism for sexual intercourse, implying a rough or intense encounter).

Now, upon careful reflection, she no longer harbored such intentions, not merely because he was a demonic cultivator, but because she felt that fighting with ‘this type of fellow’… would make her faint!

Ultimately, there was no emotional attachment; she was merely doing this for her cultivation.

Everything was for the sake of achieving Soul Transformation and escaping her current predicament.

With cloth only covering his eyes, Su Qin could distinctly feel the uneven structure of her body pressing against him, and his mind grew agitated.

In just this short while, he had already recited all the works of those two chancellors.

‘Oh, the suffering! Old Du (TL Note: Referring to Du Fu, a prominent Tang Dynasty poet known for his solemn and often melancholic works), save me!’

He began to recite “Three Officials” and “Three Separations” (TL Note: Famous poetic cycles by Du Fu, lamenting the suffering of the common people and the turmoil of war), his mind filled with thoughts of national concern and the plight of the populace.

Suddenly, Su Qin felt a wetness against his chest—soft, tender, moist, warm, and indescribably agile—which abruptly halted the “Officials seizing people at night” (TL Note: A line from Du Fu’s poem “Shi Hao Official”) he had been about to recite.

“Hmph hmph, it seems your cultivation isn’t quite up to par, after all~”

The Demonic Soul Clone opened its bloody maw, biting repeatedly with a *crunching* sound, its aura increasing by another magnitude.

Excruciating pain surged through him, blurring Su Qin’s consciousness, while Qi Ning smiled with ever-increasing delight.

‘Is this also my vital weak point…’

For the sake of his cultivation, the demonic overlord had always deliberately avoided such matters, dedicating himself to his techniques and truly finding a sense of inner tranquility.

He had believed himself to have seen through the mundane world, immune to the allure of beautiful women (TL Note: ‘Yingying Yanyan’ is an idiom referring to charming women).

Yet, when truly tested, he immediately found himself on the defensive, realizing that matters between men and women were, in fact, his Achilles’ heel.

If Zhao Shuyun could sway him, and even the Qi Ning he detested could sway him, then his Dao heart was fundamentally flawed.

‘If I had more experience, would I be able to handle this with composure…’

What heaven offers but one does not take, one will suffer for.

If he had truly ‘eaten fiercely’ (TL Note: A euphemism for indulging in sexual activity) these past few days, perhaps he would be more composed when encountering such a situation.

But it was too late; a flicker of regret passed through Su Qin’s eyes.

Still, the same principle applied: even if he died, he couldn’t leave behind such a mess.

Yuhe, Zhenye, Jiaojiao… they still needed to live.

***

‘Hm?’

Su Qin suddenly recalled that in the game’s ending, the Su Qin illuminated by sunlight had his soul directly annihilated.

‘If I can stall until sunrise, there’s a chance I won’t be refined.’

Hope reignited within Su Qin as he recalled the image of a great person, and his mind instantly stabilized significantly; at this rate, he should be able to last until sunset.

Qi Ning watched, growing increasingly anxious, employing her hands, feet, and mouth, yet unable to speed up the process even a jot.

***

In the distance, Bai Jiaojiao watched the motionless Gu Yuhe, growing increasingly anxious.

“Hurry and go! If you don’t leave now, when do you intend to?!”

“I must wait for Master to emerge.”

Gu Yuhe’s gaze was resolute, her eyes filled with concern as she watched the distant semi-circular water barrier.

“If you want to leave, then go by yourself!”

Seeing this, Bai Jiaojiao fell silent; her state today was peculiar, as she kept doing things that went against her usual habits.

“I never said I was leaving… Besides, if I left you behind, that guy might very well spank me…”

“It’s, it’s not for anyone that I’m staying, got it!”

Gu Yuhe paid her no mind; sensing the aura of the thick fangs in her hand suddenly weaken, her breathing hitched.