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Chapter 15: A Thousand Lights

As the Lunar New Year approached, a festive atmosphere filled the air. The Ejian Sect, secluded from the mortal realm, had a small village nestled at the foot of the mountain, a haven from the hustle and bustle of city life.

In reality, the village was simply too remote and impoverished to attract much attention. Despite this, the spirit of the New Year was alive and well. Every house was adorned with bright red lanterns, casting a warm glow upon the snow-covered streets.

Bai Jingxue, nestled in Luo Nianshang’s arms, found herself unexpectedly moved by the scene. She wasn’t one for crowds, but there was something undeniably charming about this simple celebration.

However, she noticed Luo Nianshang’s arms tense, her muscles hardening, making Bai Jingxue’s perch rather uncomfortable.

The other two weren’t exactly behaving themselves either. They darted ahead, their attention caught by the street vendors and the children bundled up in thick winter clothes, their eyes wide with wonder as they explored the world.

This festive atmosphere was a rare treat, a brief respite from the usual routine.

Laughter and chatter filled the air, dispelling the darkness of the winter night.

Bai Jingxue stretched, peering out from Luo Nianshang’s embrace. The New Year celebrations in her past life had become increasingly commercialized, losing their charm. She hadn’t expected to experience such a genuine celebration here.

But she couldn’t forget about the baleful energy clinging to the infant. Luo Nianshang, however, was completely captivated by the festivities. There was no way to distract her.

“A kitty!”

A small voice, filled with delight, reached their ears. A little girl, bundled up like a penguin, stood before Luo Nianshang.

She barely reached Luo Nianshang’s knees, no older than three, her eyes wide as she stared at the cat in Luo Nianshang’s arms.

She longed to pet the cat, but Luo Nianshang’s expression was too intimidating. She glanced at Luo Nianshang cautiously. “Big sister,” she asked timidly, “can I pet your kitty?”

Luo Nianshang looked down at the child, then turned to the cat in her arms. “What do you think?”

Bai Jingxue, surprised by the female lead’s consideration, glanced at the child. Meeting her hopeful gaze, she shook her head.

Luo Nianshang had already petted most of the fur off her head. If everyone was allowed to touch her, she would be bald in no time. She might be intelligent, but that didn’t mean she wanted to be hairless.

Seeing the cat’s refusal, Luo Nianshang walked away, carrying Bai Jingxue with her.

From a young age, Luo Nianshang had never fit in. She had always been different, her actions often perplexing those around her. They had called her strange, a freak.

But those who had mocked her were long gone, their faces fading into the mists of time. No one dared to call her a freak anymore.

Yet, she still felt like an outsider, detached from the warmth and camaraderie of the crowd.

Her disciple had wandered off, but she knew where to find her.

Firecrackers exploded, showering the streets with red paper scraps and smoke. Children covered their ears, their parents smiling indulgently. Elders watched with amusement, their faces etched with wrinkles. And perched on a rooftop, a dog and a cat observed the scene with varying degrees of interest.

Luo Nianshang stood below, gazing up at her disciple. Their eyes met, and Luo Nianshang was the first to look away.

As the festivities continued, she flew up to the rooftop, settling beside her disciple. But unlike Hong Ying’s relaxed posture, Luo Nianshang sat ramrod straight, as if she were still meditating.

The moment Lü Qingyan spotted Bai Jingxue, she wriggled out of the Demon Lord’s arms and dashed towards Luo Nianshang, snuggling up to the cat.

“Jingxue!” she exclaimed. “You’re finally here! I was so worried! I couldn’t even eat!”

Bai Jingxue glanced at the candied hawthorn crumbs clinging to the fur around Lü Qingyan’s mouth and closed her eyes, refusing to engage.

Lü Qingyan wasn’t worried about Bai Jingxue’s safety. After all, Luo Nianshang was currently the most powerful being in this world.

And the Demon Lord had been surprisingly generous, sharing her snacks with the dog, nearly spoiling her rotten.

Lü Qingyan licked her lips, realizing there were crumbs on her face. She grinned, revealing a flash of white teeth, then a wave of contentment washed over her. Life was good.

She didn’t want to return to the Demon Palace. It was too far from Bai Jingxue. The thought of being separated from her again was unbearable.

“Jingxue,” she whimpered, “this all feels like a dream.”

The sadness in her voice melted Bai Jingxue’s feigned indifference. She opened her eyes and placed a paw on Lü Qingyan’s head.

Memories of their past life surfaced. Unlike the quiet, reserved Bai Jingxue, Lü Qingyan had been a ray of sunshine, her laughter infectious.

Their paths had been intertwined for years. They had attended the same schools, from elementary to university. But before their senior year of high school, they had never been friends. Lü Qingyan had gone through friends like water, but Bai Jingxue had never been part of that ever-changing circle.

Bai Jingxue had been too quiet, too withdrawn. If it hadn’t been for her exceptional grades, she would have been invisible, a ghost haunting the hallways, her chin resting on her hand as she stared blankly into space.

Their parallel lives had finally intersected during their senior year. Lü Qingyan’s grades were abysmal, and her parents, desperate to salvage her academic career, had approached Bai Jingxue.

Their offer had been too generous to refuse. Bai Jingxue, struggling financially, had moved out of the student dorms and into the apartment Lü Qingyan was renting.

After evening study hall, Bai Jingxue had instinctively started walking towards the dorms, but she caught herself, turning towards the school gate instead.

The familiar sound of a bicycle bell reached her ears. Lü Qingyan, her long hair pulled back in a ponytail, her blue and white uniform crisp and clean, extended a hand towards her. “Hop on, brainiac,” she said, grinning. “I’ll give you a ride.”

Walking home alone was dangerous. Bai Jingxue hesitated for a moment, then took Lü Qingyan’s hand and climbed onto the back of the bicycle.

The cool night air dispelled her nervousness about going to a stranger’s home.

Lost in thought, she followed Lü Qingyan up the stairs. The key rattled in the lock, and Lü Qingyan pushed the door open, flicking on the light. She then retrieved a pair of cat-shaped slippers, offering them to Bai Jingxue with a smile.

Bai Jingxue slipped on the slippers and settled onto the sofa. It was already 9:45 pm, but she wanted to get some studying done. She retrieved her math textbook and began to work on some practice problems.

Lü Qingyan, fresh from her shower, watched her, her movements quiet as she didn’t want to disturb Bai Jingxue’s concentration.

The soft scratching of pen on paper lulled Lü Qingyan towards sleep. She yawned, wiping a tear from her eye.

When she opened her eyes, she saw that Bai Jingxue was looking at her.

The warm light from the lamp illuminated the girl’s face. She was thin, almost too thin, her hair barely long enough to cover her ears.

Many students had cut their hair short to save time during the stressful exam period, but Bai Jingxue’s short hair had a different reason. She had sold it to make some extra money.

The old woman who had bought her hair had been ruthless, leaving her with an unflattering cut. But Bai Jingxue, blessed with good features, had somehow managed to pull it off.

“If you have any questions, feel free to ask,” Lü Qingyan said. “Oh, and where do I sleep?”

The small apartment had only one bedroom. Lü Qingyan shrugged. “With me,” she said.

Bai Jingxue blinked, but she didn’t seem particularly bothered. She resumed her studying.

Lü Qingyan, suddenly wide awake, settled across from Bai Jingxue, observing her with a newfound intensity.

She remembered Bai Jingxue’s worn-out canvas shoes, the fabric faded and thin. A wave of sympathy washed over her. She waited until Bai Jingxue paused in her work before speaking. “Where do you want to go to university, brainiac?”

“C University.”

Her voice was flat, devoid of emotion, but Bai Jingxue had the grades to back up her ambition.

Lü Qingyan was impressed by her confidence. “Do you want to be a teacher?” she asked.

What had Bai Jingxue’s response been? Something about not being interested in teaching, that she had chosen this path for…

And in the end, she had become a teacher.

A strange sense of unreality washed over Bai Jingxue. She closed her eyes, her voice losing its usual detachment. “Do you like this dream?” she asked.

“Of course,” Lü Qingyan replied without hesitation.

Bai Jingxue fell silent. She remembered a sunny afternoon, the warm light filtering through the window.

Lü Qingyan had vowed to get into the same university as her. And through sheer determination, she had succeeded, though barely scraping by.

Their homes were far apart. Bai Jingxue, despite Lü Qingyan’s persistent attempts to keep her close, had refused to impose on her any longer.

She had packed her meager belongings, preparing to leave. As she zipped up her suitcase, Lü Qingyan burst through the door, waving her acceptance letter in the air.

“Jingxue!” she exclaimed. “We get to stay together!”

Bai Jingxue opened her eyes, the familiar words echoing through this strange, unfamiliar world.

Lü Qingyan beamed. “Meeting you again must be fate, Jingxue.”

Bai Jingxue didn’t reply, merely letting out a soft “mm-hmm,” her thoughts unreadable.

The Demon Lord, watching Luo Nianshang surrounded by her cat and dog, couldn’t help but feel a pang of jealousy. She resorted to passive-aggressive tactics, her voice dripping with faux sweetness. “My, my, Master. You certainly have a way with animals.”

Luo Nianshang turned to face her, noticing the flicker of sadness in her eyes. She decided to offer some reassurance.

She looked up at the night sky, her voice calm and even. “No, I’ve always been disliked.”

The Demon Lord feigned surprise, her voice laced with disbelief. “How could anyone dislike you, Master?”

Luo Nianshang had long since come to terms with her past. She stroked the cat’s head, her gaze downcast. “I was quite unattractive in my youth,” she said. “I was often ostracized.”

The Demon Lord stared at her profile, illuminated by the moonlight, her lips twitching.

Unattractive? With a face like that? This woman was subtly bragging.

But that face, adorned with a touch of rouge, would be even more captivating.

The Demon Lord decided to forgive her.

Gazing at the thousand lights twinkling in the village below, she fell silent, then sighed. “I have no family,” she murmured. “None of those lights are for me.”

The firecrackers continued to explode, their booms mingling with the laughter and singing.

A peaceful, joyous atmosphere enveloped the village, highlighting the isolation of the four figures perched on the rooftop.

Luo Nianshang’s family had long since succumbed to the passage of time. She, too, had no light waiting for her.

But it didn’t matter. What mattered was…

“I don’t need someone to light a lamp for me,” she said, her voice filled with conviction. “I will be the one to light a thousand lamps for others.”

The Demon Lord’s gaze snapped towards her, her eyes filled with a complex mix of emotions. Finally, she scoffed.

Chapter 14: Meow~

The Demon Lord seemed to be enjoying her role-playing a little too much. Not only was she attempting to poison Luo Nianshang with her atrocious cooking, but she was now branching out into other areas.

Bai Jingxue stared at the bowl of “special” cat food the Demon Lord had prepared for her and closed her eyes.

She was seriously considering running away.

And she was a cat of action.

With a flick of her tail, she darted out of the chamber, her speed rivaling that of the wind.

As she raced through the sect, a familiar white blur materialized beside her.

“Jingxue, where are you going?”

“Somewhere I can’t see you.”

Lü Qingyan’s ears drooped for a moment, then she brightened, a brilliant idea striking her. “Just close your eyes!” she exclaimed. “Then you won’t see me!”

Bai Jingxue couldn’t believe the dog’s logic.

She screeched to a halt and leaped off a cliff, landing gracefully on the roof of the sect leader’s grand hall.

Unfortunately, this tactic failed to shake off Lü Qingyan, who simply teleported to her side.

Resigned, Bai Jingxue allowed the dog to follow her.

“Wow, this is even more impressive than it was in the book,” Lü Qingyan exclaimed, her eyes wide with wonder as she took in the scenery.

Bai Jingxue hadn’t paid much attention to the sect’s architecture. She was too lazy, her days spent eating, sleeping, and staring blankly at the meditating Luo Nianshang.

In her past life, she had struggled to motivate herself to walk. Now, with four legs, it was even worse.

“The Demon Palace is also quite grand,” Lü Qingyan continued, “but the colors are too bold. I prefer this elegant style.”

The cat and dog strolled past the training grounds where the Inner Sect disciples practiced their swordsmanship. Bai Jingxue’s aloof demeanor was a stark contrast to Lü Qingyan’s unrestrained enthusiasm.

They drew stares from the disciples, but Bai Jingxue didn’t care. She was simply wandering aimlessly. But when she spotted Fu Yuan, she changed her mind.

She stopped, settling beside a stone bench at the edge of the training grounds, her gaze fixed on Fu Yuan.

Lü Qingyan gasped. “It’s Fu Yuan!” she whispered, nudging Bai Jingxue with her nose. “Her spiritual energy seems strong. Looks like she escaped unscathed.”

Bai Jingxue twitched her ears, trying to ignore the annoying sensation.

She was curious about the characters from the novel, and Fu Yuan was no exception.

“Isn’t that Ancestor Luo’s cat?”

“It’s so cute! I want to pet it!”

“And the dog is adorable too! Don’t they look like Dumb and Dumber?”

“Hey, the cat isn’t dumb! It takes after its owner. It’s aloof!”

“What about the dog?”

“Hmph, it takes after its owner too. Brainless.”

The truce between the righteous and demonic sects might be holding, but the animosity and prejudice lingered.

Lü Qingyan, overhearing their conversation, bristled, barking furiously at the disciples.

Unfortunately, her small size and adorable appearance rendered her efforts ineffective. She was all bark and no bite.

“Hey, it’s got spunk! Let’s catch it and make dog stew!”

“I like the way you think.”

Bai Jingxue’s eyes narrowed. She rose to her feet and sauntered towards the two disciples who had spoken.

Before they could react, she leaped, delivering a swift swat to each of their faces, sending them sprawling to the ground. She then proceeded to lick her paws with an air of nonchalant elegance.

Lü Qingyan, who had been about to intervene, was stunned by the cat’s sudden display of violence. She swallowed, then her face lit up with joy.

“Jingxue defended me!” she thought, her tail wagging furiously. “She cares!”

Her joy was short-lived. Bai Jingxue’s voice, cold and flat, reached her ears. “Serves them right for calling me dumb.”

Lü Qingyan’s ears drooped. She whined softly, then her mood shifted again.

She stared at Bai Jingxue with adoration, settling beside her. “You were amazing, Jingxue!”

Bai Jingxue, seeing her unwavering cheerfulness, glanced down at her paws. This body was special. Spiritual energy surged through her veins, growing stronger with each passing day.

Fu Yuan, struggling to maintain her composure, thought that her ancestor’s cat was truly extraordinary, just like the child her ancestor had taken in.

Speaking of the child, a wave of anxiety washed over her. She wasn’t sure if she should inform the Elders.

Seeing the two unconscious disciples, her unease intensified. She decided to take them to the sect’s infirmary.

The remaining disciples, their initial desire to pet the cat replaced by fear, retreated. Being slapped unconscious by a cat would be incredibly embarrassing.

Bai Jingxue had intended to approach Fu Yuan from the start. She followed the woman, Lü Qingyan trailing behind.

Suddenly, Lü Qingyan vanished. A moment later, she reappeared before one of the disciples, snatching his identification token and disappearing again.

Bai Jingxue, watching the dog proudly display its stolen prize, had to suppress a laugh.

She had been observing Lü Qingyan’s movements and knew that the token belonged to one of the disciples who had insulted them.

Lü Qingyan tossed her head, sending the token flying into a patch of bushes. The green token would be difficult to spot against the snow-covered ground. It would take at least a day to find it.

She grinned, pleased with herself. “He won’t be able to access his room or receive his cultivation resources today,” she said gleefully.

Bai Jingxue slowed her pace. She sensed someone approaching. It was the disciple who had lost his token.

She turned, her body tense, her eyes narrowed in warning.

The disciple hesitated, his gaze falling upon the bell around Bai Jingxue’s neck. He thought better of approaching.

Lü Qingyan, lost in her own amusement, realized she had walked ahead of Bai Jingxue. She doubled back and, spotting the disciple she had targeted, began to bark at him, emboldened by Bai Jingxue’s presence.

The disciple, though furious, knew better than to antagonize the ancestor’s pet. Missing out on a few days of cultivation resources was a small price to pay compared to incurring the wrath of the Sword Saint.

He glared at the barking dog, then stormed off.

Bai Jingxue resumed her leisurely pace. She couldn’t shake off the feeling that something was wrong with Fu Yuan. She decided to investigate.

“You were amazing, Jingxue!”

Bai Jingxue sighed. “Couldn’t you smell his aura?” she asked. The dog’s attempt at sabotage had been pathetic.

Lü Qingyan blushed. “But I’m surrounded by your scent,” she said earnestly. “I can’t smell anything else.”

Bai Jingxue’s eyes widened. She shook her head, a small smile tugging at her lips.

This dog hadn’t changed a bit. She still had a knack for saying the most disarming things, rendering Bai Jingxue incapable of staying angry.

Come to think of it, she hadn’t bathed since her transmigration. What exactly did she smell like?

Did cats even bathe like humans?

The thought of her own scent troubled her. She wondered how to convey her desire for a bath to Luo Nianshang.

She quickened her pace, but Lü Qingyan matched her stride, staying close.

Bai Jingxue didn’t understand why, but she felt a sudden urge to escape.

She gave up.

Fu Yuan, a talented disciple with a high cultivation level, had been granted a private room. However, due to Luo Nianshang’s recent decision, she was no longer alone.

The sound of a baby’s cries echoed from within the small room, followed by Fu Yuan’s gentle cooing.

“There, there, little one. Go to sleep.”

Bai Jingxue leaped onto the windowsill, peering into the room. Fu Yuan was rocking a cradle, her expression a mixture of exhaustion and tenderness.

“Look what you’ve done, Luo Nianshang,” Bai Jingxue thought.

Lü Qingyan joined her on the windowsill, her eyes wide with curiosity. “Instant motherhood?” she remarked.

Fu Yuan, seeing the cat and dog staring at her, was momentarily speechless. When they both tilted their heads in unison, she couldn’t help but feel a surge of exasperation.

It felt like her entire life was being scrutinized by these two furry voyeurs. She glared at them, but they remained unfazed.

Once the baby had fallen asleep, she approached the window, intending to close it and shoo away her audience.

The window slid down from the top. As she reached for the latch, the black cat extended a paw, bracing it against the frame. No matter how hard Fu Yuan tried, she couldn’t close the window.

She gave up, forcing a smile. “Ancestor’s cat is quite strong,” she said.

“Jingxue, something seems off about that baby,” Lü Qingyan whispered.

Bai Jingxue, intrigued, leaped through the window and onto the cradle, peering down at the sleeping infant.

The child’s features were still developing, its face a bit squished and wrinkled. It had been restless, but the moment the cat appeared, it settled down.

Bai Jingxue closed her eyes, then opened them again. This time, she saw it. A faint aura surrounding the child.

And it was tainted with baleful energy!

Thin, red threads, like tiny worms, pulsed beneath the child’s skin. Bai Jingxue frowned. She extended a claw, severing the threads, but they slowly began to regenerate.

Her eyes narrowed. She leaped off the cradle and back onto the windowsill, taking one last look at the infant before slipping out of the room.

Lü Qingyan followed close behind, her voice filled with concern. “Jingxue, what did you see?”

Bai Jingxue didn’t answer directly. “What about you?” she asked. “What did you notice?”

Lü Qingyan, never one to hide her thoughts, replied, “The baby’s scent is strange. It smells… inedible.”

Bai Jingxue paused, her brow furrowed. She shot Lü Qingyan a skeptical look, then resumed her walk, her voice low.

“It’s tainted with baleful energy,” she said. “The novel mentioned it. It’s a mark of a sacrificial offering.”

Lü Qingyan gasped, her fur bristling. “Who would do such a thing?” she exclaimed, her voice filled with outrage.

Newborn infants possessed the purest souls, allowing them to see things that were hidden from others.

That was probably why the child had been so restless.

And black cats were known to ward off evil. Bai Jingxue, with her enhanced abilities, was even more potent.

Bai Jingxue’s eyes narrowed. She needed to get Luo Nianshang to examine the child. The baleful energy was faint, easily overlooked.

As if summoned by her thoughts, Luo Nianshang appeared before them.

She had been worried when Bai Jingxue hadn’t returned after her meditation session. The cat’s food bowl was untouched. Fearing that the cat was hungry, she had set out to find her.

And where Luo Nianshang went, the Demon Lord followed.

The Demon Lord, cradling Lü Qingyan in her arms, turned to Luo Nianshang, her eyes gleaming with mischief. “Master,” she said, “it seems your companions are eager for an outing.”

Bai Jingxue stared at her, bewildered. She had no desire for an outing! She had been driven from her home by the Demon Lord’s culinary atrocities!

She meowed in protest, but Luo Nianshang misinterpreted her cry as agreement.

The female lead, a fellow homebody, considered this for a moment, then made a decision.

“Let’s go down the mountain,” she said.

The Demon Lord’s eyes lit up. “May I accompany you, Master?” she asked sweetly. “You’ve been secluded for so long. I wouldn’t want you to be overwhelmed by the outside world.”

Luo Nianshang was about to refuse, but seeing the hopeful expression in her disciple’s eyes, she swallowed her words and nodded curtly.

The Demon Lord, pleased with her success, leaned in, her voice a syrupy purr. “You’re the best, Master.”

Luo Nianshang shuddered, fleeing as quickly as possible.

Chapter 13: Shameless

Bai Jingxue was utterly baffled by the recent turn of events. This world, having diverged from the original plot, was becoming increasingly unpredictable.

The Demon Lord was cooking?

No, that couldn’t be right. Their relationship was far too hostile. Bai Jingxue was more inclined to believe she was poisoning the food.

Her emerald eyes gleaming with suspicion, she hid in her cat bed, observing the situation. She contemplated knocking the dishes over, just to be safe.

Luo Nianshang, deep in meditation, suddenly began to tremble. Black wisps of energy emanated from her body, her face flushed, sweat plastering her robes to her skin.

She looked like she was in a sauna.

Suddenly, her eyes flew open, and she coughed up a mouthful of blood. Bai Jingxue, startled, rushed to her side, meowing in concern.

“Meow?”

Luo Nianshang wiped her mouth, her fingers coming away stained crimson. Her smile was strained. The scent of blood mingled with another aroma, something sweet and enticing.

Bai Jingxue’s gaze fell upon the four dishes and a bowl of soup laid out on the table. She leaped onto the table, extending a paw towards the food, only to be scooped up by the scruff of her neck.

“Master, your cat is adorable,” a voice purred. “Look at her little pink paw pads.”

Bai Jingxue glared as the Demon Lord squeezed her paws. She was tempted to lash out, but she wasn’t keen on testing the nine lives theory. She endured the indignity.

Luo Nianshang, finally remembering her new disciple, resumed her usual aloof demeanor.

Glancing at the food, she said, “I no longer require sustenance.”

“Of course, Master,” Hong Ying replied smoothly. “But I do. I thought I’d prepare a meal for both of us.”

Bai Jingxue’s mind raced. This was all so bizarre.

Even though the original plot was no longer a reliable guide, this was a complete deviation. In the novel, the only person worthy of the Demon Lord’s culinary skills had been the male lead.

Then, a memory surfaced. The Demon Lord had only cooked once, and the male lead had nearly died after consuming her food. It wasn’t poisoned, just incredibly disgusting.

Bai Jingxue felt a surge of pity for Luo Nianshang. She couldn’t help but stare at her with sympathy.

Hong Ying’s eyes sparkled with anticipation. “Please, Master, have a taste,” she urged. “Let me know what you think of my cooking.”

Bai Jingxue couldn’t bear it. She meowed loudly, but Luo Nianshang didn’t understand.

Despite her cold exterior, Luo Nianshang had a soft spot for those who asked for favors. And she wasn’t one to refuse a request, especially from her new disciple.

She nodded, taking a seat at the table. Hong Ying had already filled a bowl with rice and served her a portion of each dish.

Luo Nianshang picked up her chopsticks and took a bite, her expression unchanging. “It’s good,” she said calmly. “Why are you standing there? Eat.”

Only then did Hong Ying release the cat.

Bai Jingxue rushed to Luo Nianshang’s side, relieved to see that she seemed unharmed. But her relief was short-lived. A thud echoed through the chamber.

She turned to see Hong Ying sprawled on the floor, unconscious.

What was happening? Bai Jingxue had always considered herself intelligent, but this plot twist baffled her.

Luo Nianshang, startled, rushed to Hong Ying’s side, her voice laced with concern. “What’s wrong?”

Hong Ying’s eyes fluttered open. “I’m fine, Master,” she whispered, her voice weak.

She took a deep breath, her gaze meeting Luo Nianshang’s. “Did you… truly find the food palatable?”

Luo Nianshang nodded, her expression serene. “It was quite good.”

The Demon Lord had never cooked before. She hadn’t even bothered to taste the food as she prepared it. Seeing the appealing presentation and smelling the enticing aroma, she had assumed she had done well.

But that single bite had nearly killed her.

She would go down in history as the first Demon Lord to be slain by her own cooking.

She couldn’t help but admire Luo Nianshang’s fortitude. To think that she had managed to swallow that abomination and declare it “good.”

Bai Jingxue leaped onto the table. If the Sword Saint had deemed it safe to consume, then it couldn’t be that bad. Curiosity got the better of her, and she dipped a paw into the soup, taking a tentative lick.

The taste…

She fell off the table.

Bai Jingxue, deceased, at the tender age of one.

Just kidding. She had merely fainted. As her life flashed before her eyes, she longed for Lü Qingyan’s cooking. Her ex-girlfriend had been a culinary genius, spoiling her with delicious meals in their past life.

She was suddenly back in her old apartment, the familiar scent of chicken soup filling the air as Lü Qingyan emerged from the kitchen, a large pot in hand.

“Meow.”

Luo Nianshang, having revived her disciple, then turned her attention to the cat. She issued a strict order forbidding Hong Ying from ever entering the kitchen again. To ensure the order was enforced, she added it to the sect rules.

***

A few days later, a small, furry figure crept towards the Ejian Sect’s main gate.

It scurried from behind a boulder, then rolled to a stop behind another large rock, peering out cautiously.

A dilapidated kitchen stood before it, a sign hanging above the entrance. The sign read: “Kitchen: Restricted Area. Hong Ying, Do Not Enter.”

Lü Qingyan didn’t know her owner’s current alias. After observing for a while, she decided to make her move, dashing towards the sect gate.

The night held no terrors for Lü Qingyan. She effortlessly dodged the patrolling disciples, circling around to find a less guarded entrance.

However, infiltrating the Ejian Sect, the most heavily fortified sect in the righteous realm, was no easy feat. The moment she brushed against the protective barrier, the entire sect was bathed in blinding light.

Silence shattered, replaced by a chorus of panicked shouts.

“Enemy attack!”

“Isn’t that the Demon Lord’s dog? The Demon Lord is here!”

“The Demon Lord is attacking!”

The Demon Lord, deep in meditation, frowned, her eyes snapping open.

Luo Nianshang, too, heard the commotion. She rose to her feet, heading towards the exit. Pausing, she reinforced the protective barriers around her chamber, just to be safe.

“Stay here,” she instructed. “I’ll be back soon.”

“Yes, Master,” Hong Ying replied obediently.

The moment Luo Nianshang was gone, the Demon Lord dropped her facade.

She smiled, stretching out on the bed, her posture deliberately alluring.

Only the cat and the Demon Lord remained in the chamber. The Demon Lord, amused by the cat’s wary distance, rose to her feet and sauntered over, crouching before it.

“You recognize me, don’t you?” she purred.

Despite the Demon Lord’s seemingly harmless demeanor, Bai Jingxue opted for playing dumb. She tilted her head and meowed, her expression innocent.

The Demon Lord chuckled. “Don’t worry,” she said. “I have no interest in harming your precious master.”

Bai Jingxue’s eyes widened. Was she planning to torture her nemesis instead?

Why couldn’t they just get along?

Luo Nianshang, having left the chamber, extended her divine sense, searching for the Demon Lord. There was no trace of her, but she did find a small white dog being chased by a group of disciples, heading straight for the sect’s deadly protective barrier.

She teleported, intercepting the dog and scooping it into her arms.

“The threat has been neutralized,” she announced calmly. “Return to your duties.”

Lü Qingyan, her heart pounding from the chase, was eternally grateful for her ability to teleport. Otherwise, she would have been shredded.

Luo Nianshang was truly a kind and compassionate soul.

Lü Qingyan regretted ever doubting her.

“Where is your owner?” Luo Nianshang asked.

Lü Qingyan shook her head. She had no idea. She only knew that the Demon Lord had been gone for days, and she had finally seized the opportunity to escape the confines of the palace, only to nearly get pulverized by a magical barrier.

But now that Luo Nianshang had rescued her, she could finally see Jingxue again!

Luo Nianshang had the same thought in mind. She carried the dog back to her chamber. As they approached the entrance, the dog began to tremble.

Seeing the falling snow, Luo Nianshang assumed the dog was cold. She cast a warming spell, but the trembling continued.

Lü Qingyan had caught a whiff of the Demon Lord’s scent. It was faint, carefully concealed, but her nose was incredibly sensitive.

Hong Ying, setting the cat aside, rose to her feet and sauntered towards Luo Nianshang, her gaze falling upon the trembling dog. “You certainly have a way with creatures, Master,” she said, a sweet smile on her face.

Her words were innocuous, yet there was an underlying current of something else, something darker.

Luo Nianshang felt a flicker of unease, but she couldn’t pinpoint the source. She set the dog down.

The moment her paws touched the ground, Lü Qingyan darted behind Bai Jingxue, cowering like a frightened puppy.

The cat and dog resumed their private gossip session.

Lü Qingyan peeked out from behind Bai Jingxue, her voice hushed. “Jingxue, what is the Demon Lord up to?”

Bai Jingxue stretched out, letting out a yawn. “How should I know?” she replied. “I’m a cat, not a mind reader.”

Lü Qingyan took offense to that. “You’re much cuter than a mind reader!” she retorted. “Don’t put yourself down like that!”

Bai Jingxue sighed.

The cat might have been aloof, but the dog’s enthusiasm was relentless.

“Don’t you find this situation strange?” Lü Qingyan continued. “In the original story, they would have been at each other’s throats the moment they met. They practically wanted to rip each other’s heads off.”

Bai Jingxue shifted position, finding a more comfortable spot. Despite her nonchalant demeanor, she shared Lü Qingyan’s concern. She finally confronted the unspoken issue that had been looming over them.

“Isn’t that what you’re here to figure out?” she asked lazily.

Lü Qingyan considered this. It was true. But she was so accustomed to relying on Bai Jingxue’s judgment that she had developed a habit of seeking her input, even if she didn’t always follow her advice.

She scratched her head sheepishly. “But you’re the brains of the operation,” she said.

Bai Jingxue shot her a sideways glance. “Do you want to save the world?”

Lü Qingyan’s ears perked up, her tail wagging excitedly. “Of course!” she exclaimed. “It would be a waste to transmigrate into a novel and not do something epic.”

Bai Jingxue, seeing her enthusiasm, inched away slightly.

Glancing at Luo Nianshang and the Demon Lord, who were now engaged in a seemingly amicable conversation, Bai Jingxue couldn’t help but think that they looked rather good together, their red and white robes complementing each other perfectly.

She quickly banished the thought.

That was a dangerous path to go down.

She chuckled, her gaze returning to Lü Qingyan. “Look at them,” she said, her voice serious. “One is the strongest cultivator in the righteous realm, the other the leader of the Demon Realm. If we could get them together, wouldn’t that bring peace to the world?”

Lü Qingyan stared at her, her ears twitching in disbelief. “You can’t just play matchmaker with those two!” she exclaimed.

She was about to launch into a detailed explanation of why this was a terrible idea when she remembered the portrait in the Demon Lord’s chamber. Doubt crept into her mind.

She turned back to the two women, who were now discussing demon cultivators.

Luo Nianshang’s expression was serious. “Most demon cultivators are wicked and dangerous,” she said. “If you encounter one, be wary of their deceptive ways.”

Her gaze hardened. “Especially the Demon Lord.”

The Demon Lord, amused by this unexpected turn of events, feigned respect. “What is the Demon Lord like, Master?” she asked.

Luo Nianshang’s jaw clenched. The mere mention of the Demon Lord brought back unwelcome memories.

She couldn’t help but let her emotions slip. “Shameless,” she spat.

The murderous intent in her eyes made Lü Qingyan shiver.

“Yeah, maybe saving the world isn’t such a good idea after all,” she muttered.

Chapter 12: The Disciple

Ever since her emotional outburst, Luo Nianshang had been avoiding meditation. This, however, proved to be a trying experience for Bai Jingxue.

The female lead had lived a solitary life. She had no friends, struggled with social interaction, and her only form of entertainment seemed to be teasing her cat. Unfortunately, Bai Jingxue was also incredibly lazy. Thus, the chamber often became a stage for a silent standoff, two pairs of eyes locked in a battle of wills.

Bai Jingxue licked her paw, glancing at her clueless owner, who stared at her with an expectant gaze. With an elegant swish of her tail, she turned, presenting Luo Nianshang with a view of her backside.

Luo Nianshang, seeing the cat’s disinterest, felt a pang of sadness.

She couldn’t understand why Bai Jingxue had become so distant lately. She eventually concluded that it was because she hadn’t taken the cat out for some fresh air and excitement.

The Ejian Sect held an annual recruitment event for new disciples. The time for this year’s event had arrived. Normally, Luo Nianshang wouldn’t attend such gatherings. Large crowds made her uncomfortable.

But lately, she had been plagued by doubts and uncertainties. She wondered if she had isolated herself too much. She was a woman of action, and she decided to make an effort to be more present.

Bai Jingxue, who had been preparing for a nap, was suddenly scooped up into the air and deposited in Luo Nianshang’s arms.

The next moment, they were walking down the mountain path.

Fresh snow crunched beneath their feet, their breath forming clouds in the crisp air. Bai Jingxue shivered, but not from the cold. The spiritual energy here was invigorating, surging through her body with renewed intensity.

She flexed her claws, longing for a target to test her strength on, but she was currently trapped in Luo Nianshang’s embrace. Such thoughts would have to remain fantasies for now.

It had been a long time since Luo Nianshang had walked this path. Time seemed to slow down, the world around her taking on a new clarity.

To avoid unnecessary commotion, she cast a concealment spell, allowing her to observe her disciples without the usual display of frantic bowing and scraping.

The further down they went, the lower the cultivation levels of the disciples. Those residing at the peak and mid-mountain levels had reached a certain level of mastery, allowing them to wear lighter clothing. But the disciples at the foot of the mountain were mostly at the Foundation Establishment realm or lower.

They were bundled up in thick robes, their faces flushed from the cold.

Luo Nianshang perched on a tree branch, observing their activities. Bai Jingxue nestled in her arms, her tail flicking back and forth.

A young disciple, barely at the Qi Refinement stage, rubbed his hands together, his face splitting into a hopeful grin. “I wonder if we’ll get any new junior brothers this year?”

A young girl, sweeping snow nearby, tossed her broom aside and retorted, “Why junior brothers? I say it’ll be junior sisters!”

The first disciple flinched, retrieving the discarded broom and resuming his task. “Junior brothers are better,” he muttered. “They can help with chores.”

The girl blew on her red hands. “Lazybones,” she scoffed. “Besides, the selection process is so strict. It’s been ten years since we’ve had any new disciples.”

She slumped onto a stone bench, her face etched with worry. “When do you think we’ll finally be free from these menial tasks?”

The boy, sneezing, shook his head. “Just focus on cultivating,” he said. “If we reach the Inner Sect, we won’t have to do chores anymore.”

The girl pouted. “And will we finally get to meet Ancestor Luo if we reach the Inner Sect?”

“Is that why you joined the sect?”

“Hmph, is there something wrong with that?”

The boy abandoned his sweeping duties, dusting the snow from his robes. “I heard Ancestor Luo will be participating in the recruitment this year.”

His voice took on a dreamy quality. “Imagine being chosen as her disciple,” he sighed.

The girl rolled her eyes. “Get real,” she said. “Ancestor Luo has sworn off taking disciples.”

Bai Jingxue glanced at Luo Nianshang.

The world believed that Luo Nianshang had chosen to focus solely on her cultivation, but having read the novel, Bai Jingxue knew the truth. The woman was simply terrified of social interaction.

Luo Nianshang, however, seemed to be pondering those words, a thoughtful expression on her face.

They continued down the path, eventually reaching the sect’s main gate. The selection process was conducted outside the gates. Aspiring cultivators would first have their spiritual roots tested, followed by a test of their spiritual energy.

Only those with single or dual spiritual roots and at least a B-grade level of spiritual energy were eligible to become ordinary disciples of the Ejian Sect. Each recruitment event was overseen by an Inner Sect disciple and an Elder from the Outer Sect.

This year, the designated Inner Sect disciple was Fu Yuan. But unlike her usual cheerful demeanor, she seemed troubled, her brow furrowed.

A crowd of rejected applicants lingered outside the gates, hoping to catch a glimpse of the lucky few who would be chosen.

Luo Nianshang dispelled her concealment spell and settled beside Fu Yuan, the cat still in her arms.

Her sudden appearance startled the Elders and Fu Yuan. They hastily knelt, bowing low.

“Greetings, Ancestor!”

Luo Nianshang, her attention focused on the cat in her lap, began to stroke its head. The cat, annoyed, swiped at her, its claws retracting at the last moment. Luo Nianshang remained unharmed.

The crowd erupted.

“Ancestor? Is it really her?”

“She looks exactly like the portrait! It’s the Sword Saint!”

“Sword Saint! I can die happy now!”

“Even though I wasn’t chosen, this was worth it! I’m going to brag about this for the next ten years! No, twenty!”

Amidst the excited chatter, a young woman, her features plain and unremarkable, stood out, her demeanor calm and composed.

She, too, was looking at Luo Nianshang, but her gaze held a different quality, a subtle intensity that set her apart from the others.

Fu Yuan, seeing Luo Nianshang’s discomfort, rose to her feet, her voice gentle but firm as she addressed the crowd. “Silence!”

The excited chatter died down, but the crowd continued to stare at Luo Nianshang with adoration. They longed to be in the cat’s place, basking in the glory of the Sword Saint’s attention.

Bai Jingxue squirmed, uncomfortable with the scrutiny. She looked up to see the envious gazes directed at her.

She sighed, acknowledging the female lead’s undeniable popularity.

“Let the testing resume,” Fu Yuan announced.

Bai Jingxue felt Luo Nianshang relax slightly, a hint of amusement creeping into her own heart. To think that someone so powerful could be so afraid of people.

Her amusement was short-lived. Luo Nianshang’s voice, transmitted directly into her mind, resumed its incessant chatter. Bai Jingxue tried to tune her out, but it was a futile endeavor.

“I’m still not used to this,” Luo Nianshang sighed. “I’m much more comfortable alone.”

“I performed a divination on myself,” she continued. “It seems I need to take on a disciple to progress further in my cultivation.”

“But what if I’m a terrible teacher?”

Bai Jingxue covered her ears with her paws, but the voice was in her head now. She couldn’t exactly rip her own brain out.

Suddenly, she missed Lü Qingyan’s mindless chatter. At least the dog was decisive, a creature of action. This melancholic, indecisive side of Luo Nianshang was exhausting.

Perhaps, the next time they encountered the Demon Lord, she could suggest a trade. The Demon Lord might be a bit hypocritical, but at least she wasn’t a constant source of existential angst.

As Bai Jingxue contemplated switching sides, Luo Nianshang’s gaze was drawn to a young woman dressed in red.

Her features were ordinary, yet Luo Nianshang couldn’t tear her eyes away. She stared for so long that the woman finally looked up.

Their gazes met, but the woman didn’t react with the same excitement as the others. She simply smiled, her expression calm and composed.

Luo Nianshang was the first to look away, her heart pounding in her chest. She was confused by her own reaction.

Soon, it was the woman’s turn to be tested. She stepped before a transparent crystal and placed her hand upon it. A blinding red light filled the air, silencing the crowd.

The Elder overseeing the test announced in a trembling voice, “Single fire spiritual root, A-grade spiritual energy. Pass!”

Even Fu Yuan was stunned. The purer the spiritual root, the better. And an A-grade level of spiritual energy was the highest possible. This wasn’t just “good potential.” This was exceptional talent, second only to the Sword Saint herself.

Luo Nianshang’s voice echoed in Bai Jingxue’s mind.

“I feel a connection with this one. Perhaps I should take her as my disciple. With her talent, she can learn on her own. I’ll only need to offer occasional guidance.”

Bai Jingxue, however, felt a surge of unease. The woman’s aura felt strange, familiar in a way she couldn’t quite place. Then, a minor detail from the novel surfaced in her mind.

The Demon Lord, in a moment of vulnerability, had confessed to the male lead that before her spiritual root had been shattered, it had been a supreme-grade single fire spiritual root.

And judging by the timeline, the Demon Lord’s spiritual root shouldn’t have been shattered yet.

Could this be an act of revenge?

Despite her reservations about Luo Nianshang, she didn’t want to see the female lead suffer. She shook her head vehemently.

Seeing the cat’s strong reaction, Luo Nianshang decided to observe further. However, by the end of the day, the woman in red was the only one who had passed the test.

Luo Nianshang, trusting in fate, approached the woman. “What is your name?” she asked, her voice cool and detached.

The woman looked up, a gentle smile gracing her plain features. “Hong Ying,” she replied.

Luo Nianshang, sensing her calmness, relaxed slightly. She unhooked a jade pendant from her belt and offered it to Hong Ying. “Would you be my disciple?”

Bai Jingxue saw the flicker of triumph in Hong Ying’s eyes as the pendant was presented.

But what truly confirmed her suspicions was the familiar scent of spiritual energy emanating from the woman.

It wasn’t Lü Qingyan’s aura.

And the only person who would be in such close proximity to Lü Qingyan was the Demon Lord.

Bai Jingxue was about to protest when she noticed Hong Ying staring at her, a subtle threat in her eyes.

“The Master’s cat seems quite intelligent,” she purred.

Luo Nianshang, misinterpreting her words as a compliment, encouraged Hong Ying to pet the cat.

Bai Jingxue froze as Hong Ying’s hand lingered on her neck, her fingers pressing down slightly.

It was a warning.

Logic dictated that she remain calm. She suppressed her urge to lash out, her concern for Luo Nianshang growing with each passing moment.

In the original story, the main conflict had revolved around the male lead. Jealousy and rivalry had been the norm.

Now, the only conflict stemmed from their opposing factions. Could it be that Luo Nianshang had received the inheritance from the secret realm? Was the Demon Lord here to steal it?

Lost in her paranoid musings, she didn’t realize they had returned to Luo Nianshang’s chamber until they were inside.

Perhaps deeming the spartan surroundings too harsh for her new disciple, Luo Nianshang snapped her fingers, transforming the bare stone chamber into a more comfortable dwelling.

“It’s not much,” she said, “but a cultivator should not be concerned with material possessions.”

“Your teachings are wise, Master,” Hong Ying replied dutifully.

Luo Nianshang, unsure of what to do next, struggled to recall the basics of cultivation. She decided to start with the fundamentals of guiding spiritual energy into the body.

She sat on her newly acquired bed and began to meditate. “Observe,” she instructed.

Hong Ying nodded obediently.

But Luo Nianshang, lost in her meditation, forgot all about her new disciple.

As Bai Jingxue watched in horror, Hong Ying turned towards her, a predatory smile spreading across her face.

“Remember, little kitty,” she purred, her voice laced with malice. “Too much intelligence can be a dangerous thing.”

Chapter 11: Disorientation

Lü Qingyan jumped to her feet, her voice filled with indignation. “That counts?”

Bai Jingxue slowly retracted her claws, her emerald eyes twinkling with amusement. “What do you think?”

Lü Qingyan, momentarily mesmerized, found herself nodding. “I guess so,” she conceded.

But she couldn’t imagine Luo Nianshang’s reaction if she were to receive the inheritance. It would be hilarious.

The idea of the stoic, aloof female lead practicing dual cultivation techniques was simply too absurd.

Bai Jingxue settled beside Luo Nianshang, observing her closely. Her face was flushed, her skin radiating an unnatural heat.

The spiritual energy surrounding her was chaotic and unstable. Bai Jingxue couldn’t help but worry.

Lü Qingyan, never one to filter her thoughts, sat beside Bai Jingxue, her eyes widening as she took in the scene. “They look like they’ve been drugged!” she exclaimed.

Bai Jingxue shot her a withering glance and shook her head.

She tried to recall the relevant passage from the novel, but all that came to mind was a barrage of steamy imagery. She grimaced, pushing those thoughts away.

As she stewed in her frustration, the color returned to Luo Nianshang and the Demon Lord’s faces. Their breathing evened out, but the air grew thick with a palpable sense of anger.

Suddenly, their eyes snapped open. They stared at each other for a moment, then scrambled to their feet, putting as much distance between them as possible.

Luo Nianshang’s ears were bright red, but the temperature in the chamber plummeted as her anger intensified. Frost crept across the walls.

The Demon Lord clutched her chest, gagging, but she had long since surpassed the need for food. There was nothing to expel.

The cat and dog, caught in the crossfire, exchanged confused looks.

What on earth had happened?

Luo Nianshang, seeing the Demon Lord’s distress, gripped her sword, her knuckles white. Her rage unleashed a blizzard within the chamber, icy winds swirling around them.

Bai Jingxue dug her claws into the ground to avoid being swept away. Lü Qingyan, however, wasn’t so lucky.

Unable to bear it, Bai Jingxue extended a paw, hooking it onto Lü Qingyan’s collar. She was grateful for her enhanced strength. Otherwise, her paw would have been ripped off.

The Demon Lord, ignoring the chaos, continued to gag, wiping her mouth with the back of her hand. Seeing Luo Nianshang’s fury brought a perverse sense of satisfaction.

The icy winds whipped at her clothes, clinging to her body, revealing her curves. The sight of Luo Nianshang’s anger only fueled her amusement.

“It was just a dream, Venerable One,” she chuckled. “Surely, you’re not going to hold me accountable for that?”

A gust of wind, sharp as a blade, sliced through the air, severing a lock of the Demon Lord’s hair. The black strands landed on the frost-covered ground, then scattered in the wind.

The Demon Lord wiped at the cut on her cheek, her laughter fading. She stared at Luo Nianshang’s flushed ears, a knowing smile playing on her lips.

Finally, the blizzard subsided. The cat and dog settled down, their black and white fur a stark contrast against the snow-covered ground.

Lü Qingyan, her concern outweighing her bewilderment, inspected Bai Jingxue’s paw. “Are you hurt?” she asked anxiously. “Does it hurt?”

Bai Jingxue tucked her paws beneath her body, her voice flat. “I’m fine.”

Lü Qingyan didn’t believe her. She knew Bai Jingxue well enough to recognize her stubborn refusal to admit weakness.

Before she could press further, the Demon Lord scooped her up and, in a blink, they were airborne.

The secret realm was collapsing. The Demon Lord was fleeing, her parting words echoing in their ears.

“Until next time, Venerable One. Don’t forget about me!”

Bai Jingxue stared at Luo Nianshang, her eyes narrowed. She was dying to know what had happened, but it was clear that the two women were now even more at odds.

Perhaps it was for the best. It would make it harder for Lü Qingyan to pester her.

She was suddenly lifted into the air, enveloped in a cool embrace.

“I’m sorry,” Luo Nianshang said, her voice filled with remorse. “I almost got you killed.”

Bai Jingxue meowed, but her words were lost on Luo Nianshang.

Luo Nianshang patted her head and flew towards the designated meeting point.

But they were too late. The exit had been sealed by a chaotic surge of spiritual energy. The disciples, recognizing the danger, had resigned themselves to their fate.

But when they saw a white figure approaching from the sky, a flicker of hope ignited in their eyes.

“Ancestor!”

“Ancestor, the secret realm is collapsing!”

Luo Nianshang surveyed the chaotic scene. Without the inheritance, the laws governing this pocket dimension were unraveling.

Bai Jingxue peeked out from Luo Nianshang’s arms, studying her expression.

Something was off. Luo Nianshang was still angry.

As if to confirm her suspicions, Luo Nianshang raised her sword, cleaving the collapsing secret realm in two. The space around them shattered, dissolving into dust.

The remnants of the secret realm crumbled away, revealing the desolate landscape beyond. Standing amidst the ruins, her robes billowing in the wind, was the Demon Lord.

She stood before a group of demon cultivators, her gaze fixed on Luo Nianshang.

Lü Qingyan, spotting the black cat in Luo Nianshang’s arms, struggled to break free from the Demon Lord’s grasp, but her efforts were futile.

Luo Nianshang, having vented her anger with that single, devastating strike, regarded the Demon Lord with a cold, calculating gaze.

Ignoring her disciples, she vanished.

The moment they returned to her chamber, Luo Nianshang collapsed, a trickle of blood, tinged with black, staining her lips.

Bai Jingxue, horrified, scrambled out from beneath her, meowing frantically.

Luo Nianshang wiped the blood away, her movements shaky as she struggled to her feet. “I’m sorry,” she said, forcing a smile. “Did I crush you?”

Bai Jingxue shook her head. Luo Nianshang had shielded her during their fall. She was unharmed.

She needed to know what had happened. Luo Nianshang hadn’t been injured in the secret realm. Could it have been the dream?

What had she seen?

Luo Nianshang massaged her temples, a wave of exhaustion washing over her. It had been so long, she had thought her inner demons were gone.

She let out a bitter laugh. “A fateful encounter,” she murmured, her voice laced with irony.

Back in the Demon Palace, the Demon Lord had locked herself and the dog in her chamber.

Lü Qingyan paced by the door, ready to bolt the moment it opened.

But the Demon Lord was acting strangely. She had always been prone to smiling, but those smiles had been a facade, a mask concealing her true emotions. Now, however, she sat before her mirror, brushing her hair, a genuine smile gracing her lips.

She seemed almost giddy.

Each time the Demon Lord smiled, Lü Qingyan flinched. She observed her owner cautiously, her instincts screaming that something was wrong.

Fear gnawed at her. She retreated to her bed.

Behind her luxurious dog bed stood a jade cabinet, its shelves adorned with trinkets. A small portrait hung on the wall above it.

The Demon Lord propped her chin on her hand, her gaze fixed on the portrait.

Lü Qingyan, eager to escape her owner’s line of sight, crept towards the other side of the room.

Curiosity got the better of her, and she glanced at the portrait. She gasped, covering her mouth with a paw.

The woman in the portrait looked exactly like Luo Nianshang.

Lü Qingyan’s mind reeled. She was starting to think she wasn’t smart enough to handle this situation. She decided to file this information away and ask Bai Jingxue to analyze it later.

The Demon Lord stared at the portrait, her smile fading as her giddiness subsided. A sense of emptiness washed over her, as if a part of her had been hollowed out.

Her gaze darted around the room, searching for the dog. Spotting Lü Qingyan cowering beneath the bed, she smiled again.

Lü Qingyan, feeling her gaze upon her, scrambled further under the bed, only to be yanked out, her yelps echoing through the chamber.

The Demon Lord stared at the struggling dog in her arms, her expression a mixture of sadness and self-pity. “Am I that repulsive?” she murmured.

She seemed fragile, like a broken doll.

Lü Qingyan stopped struggling, letting out a soft whimper. “What’s wrong?” she seemed to ask.

***

Back in Luo Nianshang’s chamber, the scent of blood had been cleansed with a purifying spell. Luo Nianshang stroked the cat’s head, forcing a smile. “Don’t worry, I’m fine.”

Unable to focus on her cultivation, she played with the cat for a while, then realized that her feline companion was rather aloof, content to observe her from the safety of the futon.

No matter how much she tried to engage her, the cat remained unresponsive, occasionally even shooting her a disdainful look.

Luo Nianshang chuckled, feeling a bit dejected. She scooped up the cat and resumed her petting session.

She coughed, a harsh, grating sound.

Bai Jingxue recoiled, repulsed by the scent that filled the air. She leaped from Luo Nianshang’s lap, her eyes wide with concern.

Luo Nianshang covered her face with a hand, then thought better of it. The cat wouldn’t be frightened. She lowered her hand.

Bai Jingxue’s pupils constricted. Luo Nianshang’s appearance was truly horrifying.

Her beautiful, ethereal face was covered in a network of red veins, like a spiderweb etched into her skin. Her eyes were wide, the whites stained black, as if a statue of a deity had been defiled with blood.

Luo Nianshang sat in meditation, her breathing slow and deep. Gradually, the redness faded from her face, her features returning to normal.

She opened her eyes and apologized, her voice strained. “I’m sorry,” she said, forcing a smile. “It’s not a pleasant sight.”

Bai Jingxue padded over and rubbed her head against Luo Nianshang’s knee, then leaped onto her lap and meowed softly.

“Are you comforting me?” Luo Nianshang asked, her voice filled with wonder.

“Meow.”

“Thank you.”

Luo Nianshang shook her head, her gaze drifting around the empty chamber.

She remembered the Demon Lord’s words, spoken in a moment of frustration.

No matter how powerful she was, she couldn’t save everyone.

Doubt, a feeling she hadn’t experienced in years, crept into her heart. And once again, there was no one to offer guidance or reassurance. But she had a cat, a silent companion who wouldn’t judge her.

“Meow?”

Luo Nianshang snapped out of her thoughts, forcing a smile. She wasn’t sure if she was addressing the cat or herself. “Do you think all demon cultivators are inherently evil?”

“Meow?”

What was wrong with the female lead? Why was she pondering such things?

Bai Jingxue didn’t understand.

But based on the limited information from the novel, she knew that not all demon cultivators were villains, and not all righteous cultivators were saints.

The male lead, despite his protagonist status, was a perfect example of this. He was a truly despicable person.

Some things were just too complex to categorize.