Chapter 777

Chapter 777: Hong Qianji

"Finally we’ve reached Red City." Mo Tianxiao grinned at the massive crimson fortress before them. "This hundred-thousand-mile journey drained me. Took more breaks than I can count."

"Brother Tianxiao, don’t you possess any movement cultivation methods?" Ye Yun raised an eyebrow. The man had flown using raw spiritual power alone, never employing speed-enhancing techniques beyond basic energy reinforcement.

With his Lightning Escape technique, Ye Yun could cover ten thousand miles in two hours. Yet Mo Tianxiao’s stop-and-rest approach had stretched their journey across multiple days.

"Brother Ye! Do you know how exorbitant proper movement techniques are?" Mo Tianxiao threw up his hands. "Ordinary ones are worthless, while Divine Arts cost billions of top-tier Immortal Spirit Stones in our Immortal Dao Sect! Should I spend decades hoarding stones just to buy techniques that’ll make me run errands for the sect?"

"Your sect’s rules amuse me." Ye Yun chuckled, recalling lazy disciple Shui Lingling. "If all members followed your example, the Immortal Dao Sect would collapse under its own sloth."

"Not true!" Mo Tianxiao protested. "Our junior disciples work hard under elder brothers’ guidance, hunting Demon Race for stones. The division’s fair – except when higher realm members get fewer stones than juniors. Nearly caused riots until the elders intervened. Unlike those spoiled geniuses in other sects, I’m practically a model disciple!"

Ye Yun nodded. "Your sect’s fairness is rare. Others let their geniuses bully outer disciples without consequence."

"Exactly! Those stubborn old men cling to outdated traditions. When I asked my Master for special treatment, he made me copy ten million characters of sect rules!" Mo Tianxiao grimaced at the memory.

"Your Master’s strictness shaped you well." Ye Yun chuckled. "Now go buy your essence blood at Beast Blood Pavilion. I’ll meet you at Red Qian Building later."

As Mo Tianxiao hurried off, Qing Li clung to Ye Yun’s sleeve. "Master? Where…" Her voice trembled while staring at the neon-lit streets.

"Relax." Ye Yun patted her head like an elder brother. "We’re just sightseeing."

Qing Li’s eyes widened at glowing paper lanterns. "Beautiful! We only had liquor barrels for celebrations in the Demon Realm. I’d sneak sips and get dizzy…"

Ye Yun’s smile faded. If some demons truly opposed war like Qing Li claimed, perhaps peace was possible. Though he knew most saw humans as mere obstacles to greater conflicts.

At Red Qian Building’s thousand-zhang tower, Qing Li gasped. "Human structures match the stone carvings!"

"Restaurant, not house." Ye Yun corrected gently. Two teal-qipao attendants ushered them to a riverside pavilion where cool breezes carried laughter from below.

The scene resembled mortal revelry – cultivators temporarily embracing mundane joys under Hong Qianji’s iron rule of nonviolence. Clever governance, Ye Yun admitted, though the peace felt artificial.

Qing Li poured wine with trembling hands when curtain beads clinked behind them. A girl with phoenix-shaped earrings appeared, scarlet sleeves fluttering.

"City Lord Hong Qianji graces us?" Ye Yun raised his cup, unfazed by the sudden visit.

"You sit in my restaurant yet question my presence?" The ruler’s playful tone hardened. Her crimson eyes narrowed at Qing Li cowering behind Ye Yun.

"Merely curious why Red City’s master visits a random guest." Ye Yun shielded the shaking succubus. "Have I offended you?"

Hong Qianji’s laughter tinkled like windchimes. "You visit often, Little Ye Yun. Could it be… you fancy me?" She leaned close, exotic fragrance clouding minds.

Ye Yun’s true qi surged, dispersing the mental invasion. "City Lord’s hospitality overwhelms."

"Impressive." She clapped, eyeing his Nascent Soul cultivation. "To resist my aura at your level… Yet you keep this succubus virgin? Her primal Yin could boost your cultivation tremendously."

"Women aren’t tools." Ye Yun’s smile didn’t reach his eyes.

"Such noble words!" Hong Qianji’s nails grazed his cheek. "But I sense darkness in you – suppressed rage that’ll devour you whole if unreleased. I once…"

Ye Yun’s cup cracked. How did she detect the demonic energy he’d hidden since Celestial Tower?

"Help me manage Red City," she whispered, "and I’ll teach containment methods." Producing a blood-red pill, she warned, "Three-Month Blood’s toxicity will kill even Heavenly Immortals if unresolved. The antidote? Suppress your inner demon before the timer ends."

Ye Yun swallowed the pill without hesitation. Fire poison had nearly destroyed him before – this was manageable.

"Foolish bravery!" Hong Qianji shook her head. "The pain escalates daily until you either conquer your darkness or die screaming. But first…" She yanked Qing Li’s veil off. "Why keep weaklings?"

The succubus froze under Hong Qianji’s touch, remembering how this woman tortured humans. Yet the ruler merely sighed. "Pathetic. Can’t even handle a finger’s pressure."

"Enough." Ye Yun’s voice turned glacial. "State your true demand."

"Eliminate the demonic rift west of Red City within three months." She vanished, leaving final words echoing: "Remember – true power lies not in suppression, but balance."

Qing Li collapsed, clutching her veil. Ye Yun stared at the moonlit river, already feeling the pill’s venomous heat spreading through his meridians.