Chapter Three: Thus Contemplating White Bones

As expected, the followers of the White Lotus Pure Sect are here as well. Ji Feichen rubbed his temple, a smile curling at the corner of his lips. Although the situation was growing increasingly dire, his spirits soared higher. Among the major demonic sects, there was always a hierarchy, distinctions to be made.

"Engaging with these demonic sect disciples is the perfect opportunity to discover a way to break the blood curse."

The sect Ji Feichen belonged to, the Shadow Nether Sect, was also one of the Ten Demonic Sects. Under the leadership of the boundless Blood Sea—sanctuary of the demonic path—they resisted the three thousand immortal gates and held firm their place within Xuanzheng Continent. Yet compared to the three sanctuaries of the Daoist sects, the Blood Sea fought alone, unable to truly contend with the Daoists. Thus, demonic disciples always kept a low profile; the Shadow Nether Sect frequently moved its mountain gate, currently hidden deep in the southern wilderness. The Radiant Sun Demon Cult, claiming to be the leader of all southern demon sects, was likewise among the Ten Demonic Sects.

Then there was the Lotus Fairy, who had secretly dispatched Old Cao. White lotus petals drifted around her, her face adorned with a compassionate expression. Yet her ruthlessness was no less than any of the demon folk beside her.

"Blooming flower sees me, lotus purifies the world"—this was the essence of the White Lotus Pure Sect, also one of the Ten Demonic Sects.

With Ji Feichen lurking in the shadows, three major demonic forces had converged here.

Ji Feichen disliked the demonic sects' atmosphere; their pillaging, debauchery, and even cannibalistic cultivation crossed his moral boundaries. Unfortunately, when he transmigrated, he found himself among their ranks, bound by a blood curse: any thought of betrayal or escape would bring upon him a swarm of insects, devouring him alive.

Thus, Ji Feichen could only endure and conceal himself, seeking a way to break the blood curse, so that he might flee far away, find a place of peace to cultivate, and never meddle in demonic affairs again.

"The methods by which the sects control their disciples are largely similar. Perhaps I can find something useful among them?"

The Lotus Fairy dispatched Old Cao with a single palm, then walked to the other side of the cave, playing with the paperweight in her hand, smiling at those around her.

The man from the Radiant Sun Demon Cult narrowed his eyes. "Sister Qiu, won't you come over?" Had it not been for Qiu Yuelian’s report yesterday, he might never have found this place. Yet now, her attitude seemed to diverge from their previous agreement to cooperate.

Qiu Yuelian toyed with the paperweight; part of its secret pertained to the cave. The formation here was perfectly preserved, left behind by a certain master of the Daoist sects. The paperweight was split, half remaining here, and when united, would form a powerful treasure.

Hence, the Lotus Fairy coveted the cave, and another idea began to take root in her heart.

"As a disciple of the Divine Sect, it is my duty to uphold the world. This place is shrouded in baleful energy, which calls for our Divine Sect’s 'White Lotus Universal Purification Mantra' to dispel the evil. I feel this cave is fated for us; would you, brother, be willing to let it go?"

White clouds drifted on waves, mist unfolded and rolled; at the cave entrance, three factions stood in tense equilibrium.

Hearing the Lotus Fairy’s words, Sima Kang of the Radiant Sun Demon Cult burst into laughter: "Enough, sister. We’re all from the same lineage—who doesn't know each other? You really dare use your sect’s 'salvation for all' slogans in front of us?"

As fellow demon sect members, who didn’t know the other’s true face? The White Lotus Pure Sect’s motto—"save the world, deliver all sentient beings"—was all talk, never practice, a pretense used to deceive outsiders. Otherwise, how had a proper sect ended up being condemned by all?

Sima Kang gestured to his disciples, who stepped forward to surround the Lotus Fairy. "Besides, you’re building a separate residence at our southern gate. Are you planning to meddle in the southern wilderness as well?"

The southern wilderness was a chaotic place, home to many tribes, a region where the Daoist sects could not easily intervene. Of the Ten Demonic Sects, three were rooted here.

The Radiant Sun Demon Cult claimed supremacy among southern demon sects. Also present were the Black Holy Palace, long active in the south, and the Shadow Nether Sect.

The Radiant Sun Demon Cult already struggled with these two formidable rivals; to add the White Lotus Pure Sect was unthinkable.

Impossible!

Qiu Yuelian sighed softly, "The Ten Paths of the Origin Gate are branches of the same tree. Why must you press so hard, brothers?" She lowered herself, her tone plaintive, evoking pity. The three lone cultivators beside her were nearly moved to jump forward in her defense.

But seeing Old Cao’s corpse, Feng Zhikang’s mind cleared, and he snapped back to his senses.

The White Lotus Pure Sect excelled at beguiling others, luring men to act as their pawns. As Qiu Yuelian employed her charm, Sima Kang produced a divine banner. Red-faced, golden-patterned, adorned with dragons and phoenixes, it radiated fiery energy, clearly a formidable treasure.

---

"Brothers, attack!" Sima Kang commanded in a deep voice, and the members of the Radiant Sun Demon Cult launched their offensive.

Seeing them close in, Qiu Yuelian smiled sweetly: "Since you brothers refuse, then let fate decide!" Suddenly, she struck, sending wind with a palm toward the stone lions flanking the cave entrance.

The stone lions abruptly sprang to life, seemingly sentient, attacking those at the entrance. But as the Lotus Fairy held the paperweight, the lions would not harm her, allowing her to calmly enter the cave.

"Sima Kang, if you survive, then come discuss the ownership of this place with me!" The Lotus Fairy floated inside, vanishing into the mist, her silver-bell laughter echoing.

Sima Kang gritted his teeth, rallying his four disciples, urging Feng Zhiming and the others, "If you don’t want to die, act now!"

The three, lost after Old Cao’s death, had no choice but to join forces with Sima Kang, repelling the stone lions.

These lions had been forged by the cave’s original master, each as powerful as a perfected spirit beast. Yet, after years of neglect, they could not withstand the combined assault. Having slain two, the lions began to falter. Ji Feichen, sensing the moment was right, withdrew the lions, letting the group enter.

"Sima Kang’s party now numbers six, plus the female cultivator from the White Lotus Pure Sect. Seven remain inside."

Ji Feichen manipulated the formation, about to seal the cave, when he saw a thread of yellow sand quietly follow Sima Kang’s group inside. His gaze deepened; this sand was all too familiar—it was often seen in the Shadow Nether Sect.

"A fellow disciple?" Upon closer inspection, the sand took human form.

"Liang Chuming—" Ji Feichen’s tone grew grave. An old rival. Now that Liang Chuming had entered, Ji Feichen would show no mercy for kinship.

"Enough. These eight will do." Ji Feichen clasped his hands, closing the cave door. The Eight Desolate Divine Cloud Formation contracted, hiding the cave within the ruins and concentrating its power on suppressing those inside.

"The Eight Gates Annihilated! Divine Golden Light!"

Ji Feichen activated the formation; from the rolling clouds above, countless golden rays descended.

Each ray wielded immense power, transforming into armored warriors that beset the cultivators. In an instant, four more fell to the golden light. Only Feng Zhikang, Liang Chuming, Sima Kang, and Qiu Yuelian remained.

Qiu Yuelian, guided by the map Ji Feichen had left on the paperweight, was first to reach the Treasure Hall. There, the other half of the Jade Dragon Paperweight awaited.

The Jade Dragon Paperweight was a pair, renowned as the Twin Jade Dragons of Literary and Martial Virtue—a rare treasure in this cave. When summoned, the twin dragons would attack foes, sweeping away all beneath the level of Immortal.

Qiu Yuelian found the golden tray holding the second paperweight. One was called "Literary Dragon," slender and refined; the other, "Martial Dragon," robust and tiger-like.

As she reached for the Martial Dragon paperweight, intending to pocket it, a sudden change occurred—

The Martial Dragon roared, leaping from the tray. Her Literary Dragon likewise transformed, and the two merged, sandwiching Qiu Yuelian between them.

A thunderous crash—

The paperweights closed, jade light fused, squeezing her into pulp, leaving only a streak of white light leaping out, which transformed into human form nearby.

"Is this the White Lotus Pure Sect’s Lotus Rebirth technique?"

Still reeling, Qiu Yuelian heard hearty laughter behind her, dread overwhelming her heart. She turned sharply; within the hall, a streak of black light descended, the Demon Dragon Mace striking her spine, knocking her to the ground.

The Lotus Rebirth technique allowed her to substitute a lotus for herself, feigning death. Yet after escaping, her power plummeted, leaving her helpless.

"Cough, cough..." The female cultivator spat blood, the Jade Dragon Paperweight flying into the man’s hand. He wore a dark blue robe, dignified and heroic, his black eyes gleaming like stars.

---

Qiu Yuelian tried to rise, but her shattered spine left her sprawled on the ground, forced to watch Ji Feichen approach.

He toyed with the paperweight, his smile ambiguous. This paperweight was said to be invincible beneath the level of Immortal. Indeed, anyone who tried to take the Martial Dragon paperweight would be crushed by the merging force—certain death. This was Ji Feichen’s trap. Yet Qiu Yuelian survived, thanks to her sect’s secret technique.

"Is it you, senior brother of the Shadow Nether Sect? We, the Ten Paths of the Origin Gate, are branches of the same tree. I’ve never had any enmity with you—why are you so ruthless?" Qiu Yuelian’s mind raced, and she feigned a pitiful appearance. Her naturally alluring aura evoked pity, making it hard for men to strike.

Origin Gate was the demonic sects’ self-designation. Otherwise, why would they label themselves as demons? They merely disagreed with the Daoist philosophy.

The Daoists called themselves "Xuanmen," meaning "profound gate," based on the principle of the Great Dao.

The demonic sects used "Primal Origin, unity of the Dao, creator of all things," calling themselves the Origin Gate, subtly implying their roots predated the Daoists.

"Enough, sister. Don’t waste your efforts. We’re all of the Origin Gate; your White Lotus Pure Sect’s beguiling arts won’t work on me." Ji Feichen’s black eyes flashed. "I am from the Shadow Nether’s Black Lineage."

"The Black Lineage?" Qiu Yuelian’s expression turned hopeless. The White Lotus Pure Sect specialized in psychological manipulation, using their bodies as weapons to gain advantage over male cultivators. But the Shadow Nether Sect’s Black Lineage practiced the "White Bone Contemplation."

Lustrous jade and alluring fragrance appeared to Ji Feichen as mere withered bones, stirring no emotion. Such was the White Bone Profound Nether method.

"Enough talk. How much do you know about the Origin Gate’s blood curse?"

"Blood curse?" The Lotus Fairy’s gaze shifted. "You wish to break the Origin Gate's sacred blood oath?"

"You ask too many questions." Ji Feichen placed the Demon Dragon Mace against her neck, white jade skin bleeding.

"The Ten Paths’ blood curses differ. Your Shadow Nether Sect’s Blood Silkworm Curse is unlike our Divine Sect’s Lotus Heart Blood Curse. I don’t know how to break them." The Lotus Fairy tried to stall, seeking a chance, slowly entangling Ji Feichen in conversation. "Why must you break the curse, senior brother? If you reach the Earth Immortal realm and become a Grand Elder of the Shadow Nether Sect, you can remove the curse and rise as a demonic overlord. Then, I would gladly serve you."

"Oh," Ji Feichen replied. Qiu Yuelian’s eyes brightened, but suddenly, the Demon Dragon Mace struck her crown hard.

Crack—

Qiu Yuelian looked incredulous. She had all but offered herself to Ji Feichen—why would he still act?

"Rest easy, sister. I’ll make it quick, send you to reincarnation." Ji Feichen swept the mace, sending her soul into the Netherworld.

Both righteous and demonic paths had rules: death extinguished the lamp. Killing the body was fine, but not the soul. Even the Ghost God Path, once skilled in soul refinement among the Ten Demonic Sects, was annihilated by nether spirits for violating these laws.

The nether spirits cared not for worldly matters; as long as you sent the soul to the Netherworld after death, they would purify it for reincarnation, another turn in life.

Staring coldly at the corpse, Ji Feichen murmured, "The first."

If the blood curse is not broken, life and death are at another’s whim. Even if the Shadow Nether Sect ordered Ji Feichen to kill and burn, he would be powerless to resist. Thus, he must dispel the blood curse before ascending to Immortal, lest he fall further under the demonic sect’s control.