"What's wrong?" Ye Fan asked casually.
"Someone was spying on us earlier," the little demoness narrowed her eyes. "But it seems I scared them off."
"Oh," Ye Fan replied absently.
"Do you want to catch them?" the little demoness inquired.
"Whatever you want," Ye Fan answered with a detached air.
"Never mind, I can't be bothered." The little demoness sighed.
Despite her great age, her actual experience was still at the stage of a novice cultivator.
Things like philosophy were a bit too stimulating for her…
A few days later.
In the same dimly lit room, You Ci pushed the door open and entered.
"How was the reconnaissance?" Third Brother asked indifferently.
"Third Brother, it seems we've encountered a tough opponent," You Ci said, still shaken. "Unless the Sect Master personally intervenes, I'm afraid we're no match for them!"
You Ci then recounted the entire incident.
Especially the oppressive aura the little demoness had unintentionally exuded, which still sent shivers down his spine recalling it.
"If that woman had made a move then, I fear I wouldn't have made it back!" You Ci added at the end.
"You Ci, who fears nothing, is actually this scared," another cloaked man inside said sarcastically. "I think you've had too comfortable a life and have become afraid of death."
"You Sha, what do you mean!" You Ci shot back coldly.
"Do I need to be any clearer?" You Sha retorted in his usual sarcastic tone. "Then I'll say it again: you're scared!"
"Alright, stop arguing," Third Brother interjected. "There's still some time before the Ancestor emerges from seclusion… You Sha, your stealth and tracking skills are better, you go this time."
"But don't provoke them this time," Third Brother added. "The main objective is to observe those two spirit beasts and to ascertain their relationship with those demonic path cultivators."
"Don't worry, Third Brother," You Sha replied, then shot a defiant look at You Ci. "I'll definitely do a better job than some people!"
This time, You Ci didn't get angry. He even cast a look of pity at You Sha…
After the two left, Fifth Brother, who had been silent, spoke up.
"Third Brother, you're asking You Sha to keep an eye on the demonic path, are you…?"
"That's right," Third Brother nodded. "It's been rumored for a while that the old guy from the demonic path is on his last legs. The opening of the Evil Flame Secret Realm this time should be his last chance. If the rumors are true, people from the demonic path will surely make contact with the woman by Ye Fan's side."
"Ye Fan and that woman are newcomers, aren't they? They dare to interact so openly at this time?" Fifth Brother asked, puzzled.
"It's not a question of whether they dare," Third Brother said flatly. "It's that they have no choice."
"However, judging by Ye Fan's reaction…" Third Brother mused to himself. "It seems he's also unaware of what happened with the Ancestor back then…"
"Third Brother, it's not that I don't believe you…" Fifth Brother hesitated before speaking. "Are those jade pendants left by the Ancestor really that powerful?"
"You joined later, so it's normal that you don't understand," Third Brother explained. "The Sect Master was able to use them for a day back then, which is how he achieved his current accomplishments. The benefits those items bring to us ghost cultivators are beyond imagination to outsiders!"
"If we can retrieve those jade pendants…" Third Brother became noticeably excited at this point. "Let alone Ge City, the outside world will belong to us!"
"Alright, go and prepare for the Evil Flame Secret Realm," Third Brother instructed. "If the clues left by the Ancestor are correct, it's highly likely that one of them has been left for us in this Evil Flame Secret Realm."
Seven days later.
Shanzi had recovered well and was now full of energy, ready to return to the brothel for rigorous cultivation.
"Shanzi, wait a moment," the little demoness beckoned. "Come here."
"Boss, you command," Shanzi said obsequiously.
The little demoness pulled out two wisps of black demonic energy and infused them into their bodies.
"There," the little demoness clapped her hands. "If you encounter any danger in the future, activate these two wisps of demonic energy, and I'll come to save you."
"Boss, you're too good to me!" Shanzi exclaimed, immediately trying to throw himself into the little demoness's arms.
"Get lost!"
The little demoness kicked him away.
"Got it! I'm rolling away!"
"Shanzi, I think something's not right about this…" After they left, Xiangjunjun spoke up. "That guy seemed to be targeting Big Brother and Big Sister. Shouldn't we do something?"
"That's why we need to act as usual!" Shanzi said righteously. "Only then will the enemy reveal themselves, and we'll have a chance to act!"
"But it seems we're not their match?" Xiangjunjun still expressed his concern.
"That's why we need to cultivate diligently!" Shanzi stated matter-of-factly. "Look, isn't that what I'm doing now?"
"Though I feel like something's off…" Xiangjunjun mumbled, scratching his bald head. "But I don't know how to refute you…"
The beast leisurely drove towards the brothel.
Inside the car.
"Shanzi," Xiangjunjun asked curiously. "We can completely fly there now, why are we still using this kind of transportation?"
"Brother Jiao, are you an idiot from reading too much?" Shanzi explained. "Just because we have the ability doesn't mean we have to use it. Style, do you understand style?!"
"Humans are truly a complex and troublesome species…" Xiangjunjun said, stroking his bald head. "They often like to make simple things overly complicated. It's much easier being a demon…"
After his lament, Xiangjunjun closed his eyes and began to meditate.
Golden and green light continuously flowed over his body, indicating he had entered a cultivation state.
"Brother Jiao, you're so diligent," Shanzi said, feeling ashamed. "You're really seizing every moment to cultivate!"
"I'm not cultivating," Xiangjunjun explained. "These past few days, I've found that the two cultivation techniques Big Brother gave me seem to have commonalities, and I'm trying to merge them."
"Have you made any progress?!" Shanzi asked curiously.
"Yes," Xiangjunjun nodded. "Besides being a cultivation technique, the Great Might Heavenly Dragon seems to contain something that can convert people."
"Combined with this, I've understood a truth," Xiangjunjun took out the book "Philosophy." "Even those who are extremely wicked are not entirely without a chance to return to goodness."
"I understood every word, but when put together, it's a bit confusing…" Shanzi was bewildered. "Brother Jiao, what exactly are you trying to say?"
"I believe the reason the human world is so complex and troublesome is actually due to malevolent thoughts," Xiangjunjun's eyes sharpened instantly. "Therefore, I plan to, starting now, strive to save every soul that has strayed."