Chapter 116: If One Doesn’t Live for Oneself, Heaven and Earth Will Destroy Them
The Evil Lotus Secret Canon was divided into three parts: the unique cultivation method centered around the Demonic Lotus Heavenly Yin, the secrets of the Demonic Realm and the Night Enchanting Heaven, and the secret techniques for controlling the Evil Lotus Sect’s disciples.
Shi Hao listened intently, memorizing the scriptures and circulating his demonic energy according to the described methods, his power subtly increasing.
Su Mei smiled, “To ensure the sect leader’s chosen disciple holds a special position within the sect, their cultivation speed must naturally surpass that of their peers. The Demonic Lotus Heavenly Yin and the Secret Canon are essential for achieving this.
“Not only must they excel within the sect, but they must also stand out among all the younger generation of the demonic sects. That’s the importance of the Secret Canon.
“Traditionally, I should have chosen a child under three years old and raised them myself. You’re a bit… old. But technically, according to the flow of time in the mortal world, you’re three hundred years younger than me, practically a newborn infant, hee hee!”
Su Mei moved behind him, her delicate hands massaging his shoulders, “As for the tradition of choosing only female disciples, that’s just a custom. The previous two generations only chose female successors, so it became a tradition, an unspoken rule. But the Evil Lotus Sect’s ancestors never established such a rule, and the demonic rituals for interacting with the Night Enchanting Heaven never specified that only women could perform them.
“In fact, I’ve considered taking on a male disciple, raising him myself. It would be… interesting. It’s a pity I didn’t get the chance. The Evil Lotus Sect’s leadership has always been a single lineage. Since I’ve chosen you, I won’t take on any other disciples. Hee hee, you owe me one.”
Shi Hao said resolutely, “Don’t worry, Master. When I surpass you in skill, I’ll find a boy for you to raise and train.”
Su Mei chuckled, “We’ll see if you’re capable of that. Don’t disappoint me.”
Although demonic cultivators were selfish, they devoted all their resources to their chosen disciples, not fearing being surpassed but rather worried their disciples wouldn’t be able to carry on their legacy.
She didn’t mind his impudent words, only hoping he could live up to them.
She leaned against his back, her body swaying gently, and smiled, “You still have some time. Memorize the scriptures. I won’t disturb you. Just be mindful of the time.”
With a giggle, she spun around, the water parting as she leaped out of the pool and floated away.
The water flowed back, submerging Shi Hao’s head, but he remained there, sitting cross-legged in the lotus position amidst the blooming golden lotuses.
He circulated the Unfettered Demon’s Boundless Art, and gradually, the water around him began to swirl, forming a vortex, while he sat motionless in the center, his eyes closed, reciting the scriptures, pondering their meaning.
After six hours, he finally left the pool.
He removed his wet clothes, wrung them out, dried them with his demonic fire, smoothed them out, and then put them back on.
Reaching the upper level, he heard the Emerald Beauty’s cries from behind the carved screen, “Master! Master! No… no… ah… ah…”
Shi Hao’s eyes widened. What’s that sound? He peeked through the screen and saw Su Mei, her left hand on the table, her head turned slightly, using a small wooden stick to poke and prod the doll, which lay on the table beside her discarded rainbow robe.
Su Mei, without turning around, said, “Disciple, have you memorized the Secret Canon?”
Shi Hao said, “Yes, Master.”
Su Mei said, “Then go to your… little wife. I won’t see you out.” She seemed preoccupied.
Shi Hao said, “Oh…” Master/Wife seems very busy.
Shi Hao left the hall and headed towards the other side of the Primordial Grotto Heaven.
As he walked, he realized something was amiss.
According to Su Mei, the Demonic Lotus Heavenly Yin suppressed the Evil Lotus Sect’s techniques.
Indeed, after receiving the mark, the effects of the Butterfly Flower Finger had vanished.
Although the Butterfly Flower Finger was a powerful technique, it was ultimately just a variation of the Severing Meridian Burning Heart Finger.
So, when Su Mei had taught him the Butterfly Flower Finger and let him practice on her, her reactions… had all been an act?
He reached the waterfall, its water cascading into a shimmering pool.
The sky above was a dull grey, the surroundings dim, the only light coming from the waterfall and the reflecting pool.
“Come here,” the Holy Jade Immortal’s gentle voice came from behind the waterfall.
Shi Hao, circulating the Gathering Essence Flowing Pearl Technique, walked across the water’s surface.
Reaching the waterfall, he jumped through it.
He found himself on a narrow path that led to a hidden grotto.
The grotto was dimly lit, but it was filled with strange, glowing plants, woven into intricate patterns on the walls, illuminating the space with an ethereal light.
“Those are Cave Meditating Grass,” the Holy Jade Immortal said, appearing beside him, a fragrant breeze accompanying her, “They’re incredibly rare in the mortal world, far more valuable than Night Fragrance Grass.
“Some Daoist elixirs require Cave Meditating Grass. Finding even a single stalk is incredibly difficult.
“But here, they grow like weeds. I’ve been weaving them into these patterns to pass the time.”
Shi Hao turned and looked at Ye Zi Yin. She still wore a white robe, but its style was different now.
It was a pleated dress with a wrap-around top, a sash tied around her waist, her appearance ethereal and even more beautiful.
Ye Zi Yin glanced at him and asked, “Su Mei has made you her true disciple and taught you the Evil Lotus Secret Canon?”
Shi Hao knew he couldn’t hide anything from them. He nodded, “Yes.”
He felt a twinge of anxiety. He was now a disciple of the Evil Lotus Sect. It was understandable if Ye Zi Yin no longer wanted to help him. And as a dual cultivator, he needed both of them for his continued progress.
But Ye Zi Yin didn’t seem to mind, her expression almost as if she had expected it. She took his hand, “Follow me.”
Shi Hao followed her, then, after a moment of thought, decided to ask, “Sister Zi Yin, will you be upset that I’ve become a disciple of the Evil Lotus Sect?”
Ye Zi Yin looked back at him, a faint smile on her face, “It’s not that I’m upset, but rather… relieved. Su Mei is unpredictable and cunning. No matter how kind she might seem, it could all be an act.
“If you displease her, she’ll be ruthless. But now that she’s made you her true disciple and imparted the Secret Canon, she won’t harm you. Inheritance is paramount in the demonic sects. Unless something unexpected happens, she won’t choose another successor.”
“Although your situation is unique. Normally, demonic cultivators prefer to train their chosen disciples from childhood, forging a strong bond. But Su Mei is trapped here, and the three Evil Lotus factions need to unite. And your talent and progress in dual cultivation are… unexpected.
“Instead of spending decades training another child, who might not even be as talented as you, she decided to gamble on you. That’s why, when she took you away earlier, I knew she was going to bestow the true inheritance upon you.
“In fact, it would be foolish of her not to do so.”
Shi Hao recalled his first visit to the Primordial Grotto Heaven. Ye Zi Yin had been trying to protect him when she fell victim to Su Mei’s scheme. If not for the unexpected turn of events, with Su Mei also affected by the Pleasure-Inducing Powder, he would have inadvertently harmed Ye Zi Yin.
Because of her concern for him, she now saw his becoming Su Mei’s disciple as a good thing.
Otherwise, even if there were no immediate danger, who knew what Su Mei might do in the future?
Ye Zi Yin said softly, “Normally, someone like you would never be chosen as a demonic sect’s inheritor. Their creed is, ‘If one doesn’t live for oneself, heaven and earth will destroy them.’ They believe that if you don’t prioritize your own survival, you’re defying the natural order, and you will be punished.”
“Therefore, good deeds are unrewarded, while evil deeds are rewarded. Those who live for others will die for them. When you risked your life for those two girls, without regard for your own safety, you disqualified yourself from becoming a demonic disciple. Inheritance is paramount. Someone who prioritizes others over themselves is not worthy.”
“That’s why the Emerald Beauty used the Dao Body Demonic Seed ritual, a trial for those two girls. It’s a test of their will, a twisting of their minds. If they succeed, they will sever their emotions and live only for themselves. Everyone and everything else will become tools for their own advancement.”
“But if they still cling to their attachments, their love and loyalty, they will fail the trial and die.”
“Let me put it this way, I don’t know those two girls, so I can’t judge them. But with your character, you would never pass such a trial.”
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