Unannounced Arrival Can Only Mean an Enemy

In the East Victory Divine Continent, a hundred miles away from the Silent Bone Forest, within Li Family Village, a young woman named Donggua stood with a frosty expression, gazing down at the crowd kneeling before her.

"This is no ordinary demonic cultivator," Donggua said, her voice icy yet measured. "With just a few words, he saw through the pawn we prepared for him. In less than a quarter of an hour, he grew bored with the interrogation and killed without hesitation."

"His mind is steady—at the very least, we know he isn’t swayed by feminine charms. He’s no reckless brute driven by bloodlust. His decisiveness in killing marks him as a true inheritor of the demonic path, his cunning rivaling that of elite orthodox cultivators, yet far more ruthless than them."

"A rare and formidable demonic hand."

The young girl Donggua had sent was embedded with a communication crystal, allowing her to overhear conversations within a limited range. Though the distance wasn’t vast, it was enough for Donggua to learn that within mere minutes, the exchange had ended in bloodshed.

"Should we eliminate him to avoid obstructing the higher-ups’ plans?" someone below ventured.

Donggua pondered briefly before shaking her head. "Such decisive killing, though his identity remains unclear, makes it far more likely he’s a genuine demonic cultivator."

She understood well that Xigua was not by nature impulsive. Despite his youthful appearance, he was in truth an aged elder, merely pushed forward by circumstance.

Whether it was the Mysterious Purity Heavenly Sect suddenly uncovering real leads in their investigation or their plans here being accidentally exposed to the Tianyan Sect—every major operation had been relentlessly hunted down and crushed.

The higher-ups had long held a pessimistic view of their prospects. Time was slipping away, and operating covertly under the watch of the Eighteen Immortal Sects of the Central Continent was no easy feat. Once a clue was caught, it was only a matter of time before they were rooted out.

This was why they rarely sent their own people to execute plans, preferring to manipulate unrelated demonic cultivators instead. No matter how cautious their operatives were, traces and clues would inevitably be left behind when interacting with others.

Only those with no ties could prolong the time before discovery.

If this operation were delayed again because of a suspected baiting demonic cultivator…

The more bad news piled up, the more likely the higher-ups would abandon meticulous planning in favor of an all-or-nothing gamble.

After all, these schemes had been in the making for countless years, with untold sacrifices already paid.

With their backs against the wall and discovery meaning certain death, striking first with everything they had was the only viable path.

Yet, a desperate gamble meant slim chances of victory.

Living like rats in the shadows for years, only to still meet a dead end—no one could accept that.

Not Xigua, and not Donggua either.

Perhaps… they needed to give the higher-ups some good news, to make them believe victory was still possible.

Donggua rose to her feet. "A talent like this would be an asset if brought under our banner. His methods speak for themselves—a true demonic cultivator, unmoved by lust, would surely crave power above all else."

"This time, I’ll negotiate with him personally."

As her words fell, the kneeling crowd couldn’t help but look up in surprise.

One dared to speak up: "Esteemed Superior, isn’t it too risky for you to go yourself? These matters still require your oversight."

Donggua shook her head slightly as she stood.

"Xigua’s reinforcements have arrived in part, easing our shortage of hands. We can’t afford further losses."

"Prepare for both outcomes. I’ll negotiate in person, and you’ll mobilize every available fighter to accompany me. If talks fail, I’ll execute the demonic cultivator on the spot. Your task will be to eliminate any fleeing cultivators—leave no survivors."

The subordinates exchanged glances but quickly responded in unison:

"As you command!"

Silent Bone Forest.

What was once a somewhat spacious hideout for demonic cultivators now felt cramped.

Thanks to a certain demonic sect leader who only cared about recruiting and not about preparing accommodations, his followers were practically sleeping shoulder to shoulder.

But morale was high.

For one simple reason: their leader was terrifyingly strong.

A Blood Qi demonic cultivator at the Nascent Soul realm, he pummeled the others into submission until none dared even raise their heads.

Bullying mortals was fun, but crushing fellow demonic cultivators was even better.

What were mortals worth? Just their blood and flesh—nothing compared to the treasures hoarded by other demonic cultivators over the years.

The sect leader was also generous. Aside from spirit stones and weapons, he distributed nearly everything else to his followers.

Compared to past leaders who only exploited them and left them starving, this demonic sect was downright benevolent.

Inside the council hall.

Wen Zuo and Yu Jing sat in chairs, studying a map with grave expressions.

"Have the scouts found nothing at all?" Li Xingtian frowned slightly. "It’s been days since our last hunt. What if this delays Master’s plans?"

Wen Zuo thought for a moment before replying,

"The sect leader’s might has spread far and wide. Demonic cultivators excel at hiding—it’ll naturally take more time to root them out now."

"No need to flatter me like a mantra," Li Xingtian tapped the table lightly. "With so many underlings now, send them all out. Punish those who fail, hunt down deserters. If we can’t find them, make them exhaust every method to do so!"

"Yes…" Wen Zuo quickly assented.

This sect leader’s methods were ruthlessly righteous.

He went to great lengths to save innocent mortals, but his treatment of demonic cultivators—whether his own or enemies—was brutal.

Just as Li Xingtian was about to leave the meeting, a faint tremor ran through the ground, accompanied by a wisp of demonic aura.

His eyes narrowed instantly. "Are we under attack?"

Yu Jing hurriedly stood. "No. Earlier today, some followers reported that the sect’s caves can’t hold any more members. They proposed building a simple outpost on a nearby peak to house newcomers."

"I thought it a minor matter and allowed it. The noise must be from the construction."

Li Xingtian chuckled. "They’re planning ahead, it seems."

Yu Jing didn’t respond, unsure whether the sect leader’s words were mocking the demonic cultivators.

Given Li Xingtian’s current approach, his followers might not have a bright future.

The best they could hope for was being rounded up and dealt with by the Taidao Sect.

Having learned the reason, Li Xingtian paid it no further mind and turned to leave.

But as his foot reached the closed door, he suddenly halted. Spiritual energy coiled around him, and a magical artifact materialized in his hand.

Wen Zuo and Yu Jing stared in shock and confusion.

"Sect Leader, must you strike so swiftly? Won’t you hear what this humble servant has to say?"

Outside the door, a calm and gentle woman's voice sounded.

Li Xingtian responded just as decisively. Raising the long blade in his hand, he slashed forward, blasting open the stone door and striking at Donggua, who stood before him.

Donggua narrowed his eyes, the supple sword at his waist coiling around Li Xingtian's blade. The strike hadn’t been meant to kill—there was still room to talk.

Li Xingtian’s eyes burned crimson as he issued his final warning in an icy tone:

"To arrive unannounced can only mean you are an enemy."

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