Cultivation: Starting from a Mortal Bone

Inside the main hall atop the central peak.

"Fairy Xiyue, I have a matter I hope you might answer with sincerity."

After everyone else had departed, Leng Feng, the Sect Leader of the Demon Sect, rose to his feet, bowing gently to Su Xiyue, his tone earnest, devoid of the usual overbearing dominance and majesty befitting the Demon Sect’s master.

Even Su Xihe was moved by this scene.

In terms of combat power, Leng Feng, Sect Leader of the Demon Sect, was surely one of the top figures in Yunlan Domain. When had he ever lowered his head to another?

Even Su Xihe herself, when beset by internal and external troubles, had never been so conciliatory.

At the same time, her doubts grew stronger within her heart.

She secretly pondered: What matter could be so grave as to compel the Demon Sect’s leader to set aside his pride, even showing what seemed close to supplication?

Still, it was not her place to ask.

Su Xihe glanced lightly at her younger sister Su Xiyue, responding on her behalf, "Sect Leader Leng, you exaggerate. Xiyue rarely involves herself in affairs of the Immortal Sect, I fear she cannot help resolve your concerns."

Her words, though tactful, contained an unmistakable refusal.

Clearly, Su Xihe assumed Leng Feng wished to inquire about the Dao Bone.

"Sect Leader Su, this matter concerns only my daughter Ruyu, it has nothing to do with Immortal Sect matters."

Leng Feng understood Su Xihe’s implication, but having come himself, he would not abandon his efforts so easily.

At this, he took a deep breath, his expression growing exceedingly grave: "If Fairy Xiyue would be generous enough to share her knowledge, then no matter the price, whichever method can remove the black Qi from Hundred Sword Sect, I will do my utmost to fulfill it!"

"This..."

Su Xihe’s heart trembled slightly at these words.

Any condition?!

She hadn’t expected this Demon Sect master to humble himself so thoroughly.

And all for his daughter.

What is Cyan Mountain Sect lacking now?

Time!

Resources!

Whether Su Xiyue, Qin Yu, or the entire Immortal Sect, all needed time to grow and recover.

If Cyan Mountain Sect and Demon Sect could join forces, even temporarily, Hundred Sword Sect would not dare act rashly.

That would be enough!

One could say Leng Feng’s offer left Su Xihe without any ground for refusal.

Of course, she did not let excitement cloud her reason, and instead turned her gaze to Su Xiyue.

Hundred Sword Sect, black Qi.

Liu Zixiao had mentioned it to her, but without direct experience, one could hardly comprehend the mystery and stubbornness of black Qi.

Could it be...

Perhaps in the Trapping Array, Leng Ruyu was afflicted by it, and Demon Sect could not dispel it?

Upon hearing "black Qi," Su Xiyue immediately understood this Demon Sect master’s intent.

At the time, she had tried countless measures, swallowed numerous elixirs, all to no avail.

In the end, it was the Warm Current she received from Qin Yu in her dazed state that finally purged the black Qi completely.

Her expression shifted at once.

The matter of the Warm Current, she hadn’t even told her sister and Aunt Liu—how could she possibly divulge it to outsiders?

"Fairy Xiyue, regarding that incident, the fault lies with my daughter Ruyu. Here, allow me to apologize to you on her behalf!"

Seeing Su Xiyue silent, Leng Feng made no excuses, and produced a storage ring once more: "Inside are two hundred thirty-four top grade spirit stones, consider them a token of apology!"

Words alone are useless; he turned directly to action.

The uneven count clearly showed he had reached the limits of what he could offer.

His sincerity was unmistakable.

Over two hundred top grade spirit stones!

Even Su Xihe was tempted.

Even the Cyan Mountain Sect’s spirit vein only yielded dozens of top grade spirit stones per year, and those had to be distributed among the elders.

This was obviously the Demon Sect leader’s accumulation over decades, at least.

Forgiveness?

Su Xiyue, at heart, had no desire to grant it.

Though Leng Ruyu hadn’t meant to kill her, she had cost Su Xiyue her purity, and but for disaster turning to fortune, she might have perished then and there.

How could spirit stones buy forgiveness?

Yet, the current situation in Yunlan Domain forced Cyan Mountain Sect to unite with Demon Sect in resisting the escalating threat from Hundred Sword Sect.

Suppose.

If this Demon Sect master was rebuffed and turned to Hundred Sword Sect, Cyan Mountain would be endangered.

Admittedly, that possibility was slim.

After all, should Hundred Sword Sect absorb Cyan Mountain Sect, their next target would surely be Demon Sect.

Demon Sect knew this well, and would not dig their own grave.

Still, this Demon Sect leader had gone so far for his daughter, so nothing could be entirely ruled out.

Thinking thus, Su Xiyue was torn with countless conflicting thoughts; the pressure she bore at this moment, perhaps no one else could fathom.

"Xiyue?"

Su Xihe, noticing her distraction, gently took her hand: "With me here, speak your mind freely!"

Though she was tempted by the spirit stones, she would not interfere with her sister’s decision.

The greater the sincerity, isn’t it a sign the offense was all the graver?

Su Xiyue did not reach for the storage ring, but her heart was already resolved. With cool detachment, she looked at the Demon Sect master: "As for this matter, I cannot yet give you a definitive answer."

"However, perhaps I can try to see if I can suppress the black Qi."

She herself did not know if the Warm Current within her could suppress or dispel the black Qi that had infected Leng Ruyu.

The Warm Current was beyond her control, yet because she possessed it, she feared not the black Qi, and saw no harm in attempting.

If it failed...

She was unwilling to expose Qin Yu’s existence.

After all, she wouldn’t send her own man to save a demoness, would she?

Absolutely impossible.

Perhaps even Fairy Xiyue herself hadn’t realized she’d subconsciously begun to see Qin Yu as her... man.

...

Su Xiyue’s compromise was evidently all for her sister’s sake, forgoing personal enmity—at least for now.

Cyan Mountain Sect needs time.

She needs time too!

"Thank you, Fairy Xiyue!"

Leng Feng was overjoyed, about to offer the storage ring again, but Su Xiyue still refused it.

This showed she harbored no intent to forgive Leng Ruyu.

A trace of bitterness swept across Leng Feng’s face, and in the end he could only clasp his hands and say, "I hope Fairy Xiyue will let me know. My Demon Sect is willing to pay a fair price."

Yet, Su Xiyue did not mention the matter of compensation, replying only coolly, "For this, Leng Ruyu must come in person!"

"This..." 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦

Leng Feng’s brows furrowed tightly.

He had confidence coming himself and departing unharmed, but if Leng Ruyu came, it would be like a lamb facing the tiger’s maw.

Just as it would be if Su Xiyue visited Demon Sect—would Su Xihe permit it?

Obviously not.

As if sensing Leng Feng’s worry, Su Xihe smiled gently: "Sect Leader Leng, if Xiyue truly had ulterior motives, wouldn’t it have been easier simply to refuse?"

Indeed it would.

Leng Feng’s expression softened somewhat as he said, "For this, allow me to offer my thanks beforehand to Fairy Xiyue."

He didn’t agree just yet; he’d have to consult his daughter first.

Watching the Demon Sect leader’s receding figure, Su Xihe could no longer contain her curiosity, and turned to her younger sister, asking softly, "Xiyue, what is that black Qi of Hundred Sword Sect?"

Su Xiyue shook her head, then rose and walked out of the great hall.

This was already the greatest compromise she could offer!

Qin Yu, already returned to his residence, naturally had no idea what these influential figures discussed within the main hall.

For him, raising his Flame Points was still the most important thing.