Grinding EXP From a Demon Hunting Ship

Chapter 481: Chapter 441: Aftermath Fades, Demonic Shadow Emerges

Meanwhile.

「Volcano State.」

WHOOSH!

A thin, haggard figure descended from the sky. His body was engulfed in flames and a toxic, fiery Evil Qi, his Daoist robes in tatters.

An overwhelming heatwave washed over them, and the faces of the Golden Core cultivators, led by Ran Ningshuang and Chiyou and all affiliated with the Star Casting Hall, twisted in fear.

They could sense that this surging, toxic, fiery Evil Qi was powerful enough to incinerate their bodies and souls in an instant!

"What vicious fire poison..."

"Mmm... Is Master Yuan Lan alright?"

The fiery light blazed.

It took several minutes for the light to gradually fade.

Yuan Lan waved his hand, scattering the fiery, toxic Evil Qi. He changed into a fresh set of Daoist robes and revealed himself to the crowd once more.

Seeing this, the crowd of Golden Core cultivators immediately flew over and gathered around him.

"Master, are you unharmed?"

"Master, what was that commotion just now...?"

Yuan Lan glanced at them, his voice weary and faint. "All units, guard Volcano State and await orders..."

"I have already sent a message to the Star Casting Hall for reinforcements. There is no need to panic..."

Yuan Lan paused. Seeing the uneasy Golden Core cultivators, he frowned and patiently forced himself to explain.

"This fire poison was caused by a clash between Nascent Souls that shook the very void. You Golden Core cultivators can rest assured. As for Li Jinhua, there’s no need to worry. She and I have reached an agreement."

"The Nascent Soul cultivators will stand down. The fate of the Grotto Heaven will be decided by a battle between Golden Core cultivators."

Ran Ningshuang’s expression didn’t change.

"What?"

"Master, this..."

But the parolees from the Demon-Suppressing Tower and the Candle Python Cave Golden Elixirs all looked grim.

They also recognized Li Jinhua’s identity—a Nascent Soul of the True Treasure Pavilion and the Dragon Woman of the Cangyuan Dragon Palace!

The arrival of such an important figure in the Day Flame Sea Region was enough to show how much the True Treasure Pavilion valued this Grotto Heaven.

Even if this Ms. Li truly kept her promise and refrained from acting again—a prospect these unorthodox Golden Core cultivators found hard to believe. After all, a mighty Nascent Soul cultivator had already stooped to sneak-attacking them. Could she really be trusted to keep her word?

Even so, the battle of Golden Cores would be extremely perilous for them.

It wasn’t that they doubted the Star Casting Hall would win the battle for the Grotto Heaven... but the fate of the collective was entirely different from the fate of the individual.

Even if the Star Casting Hall ultimately defeated the True Treasure Pavilion and seized the Grotto Heaven, how many of them—the Golden Core cultivators—would die in the process? Or rather... how many would survive?

After all, besides the Golden Core cultivators from the True Treasure Pavilion, the Grotto Heaven itself was fraught with peril!

Hadn’t they just seen how even a Nascent Soul cultivator dared not underestimate that fiery, toxic Evil Qi? How many more dangers of that caliber lurked within the Grotto Heaven?

’Damn my luck...’

Xuetu lowered his head, regret welling up in his heart.

’If I had known it would come to this, I would’ve deserted the Candle Python Cave rather than come to conquer the Day Flame Sea Region.’

’Anyway... with my Golden Core cultivation, I can live well no matter where I go.’

Unfortunately, there was no turning back.

’The Star Casting Hall shows no mercy to traitors.’

’Besides, Yuan Lan of the Star Casting Hall, a grand cultivator of the Nascent Soul Realm, is right here... Desert under his very nose?’

Xuetu shivered just thinking about it.

The other Golden Core cultivators were thinking more or less the same thing.

Yuan Lan said with satisfaction, "Since there are no objections, you are all dismissed."

"I will enter a brief seclusion. During this time, Ran Ningshuang will be in charge of all matters."

"Ningshuang, step forward."

Yuan Lan turned his head. With a flick of his finger, a Silver Talisman Sword flew out and landed in Ran Ningshuang’s hand.

"Anyone who avoids battle, flees, fears the enemy... or does anything to shake morale, you may execute them with this sword!"

As Yuan Lan spoke, his sharp gaze swept over the crowd in a clear warning.

’These unorthodox Golden Core cultivators were forced into submission. Their loyalty is highly questionable... They must be strictly controlled.’

Of course, he didn’t rely solely on force.

He also offered rewards for combat and described the riches within the Grotto Heaven to the Golden Core cultivators.

By employing this combination of carrot and stick, he managed to stabilize their morale.

Afterward, Yuan Lan flew off to enter seclusion and recuperate.

Ran Ningshuang took over, redeployed the defenses of Volcano State, and managed the aftermath of the battle.

...

「Late that night.」

Her work finished, Ran Ningshuang returned to her residence.

Volcano State was the capital of the Flame Alliance, so naturally, it was well-developed.

This residence was rich in Spiritual Qi, elegant, and serene. A lone peach tree stood in the courtyard, its falling petals drifting in the air.

Thanks to the insulating properties of the array, the scorching heat from outside was completely absent in the courtyard. The temperature was cool and pleasant, and there was even an open-air hot spring.

Haaaah...

Ran Ningshuang reached up and removed her silver mask.

She tied up her long hair, shed her tight-fitting combat attire, and slowly stepped into the pool.

This true disciple of the Star Casting Hall had an incredible physique. She was slender but not fragile, her well-defined abs radiating a healthy sensuality and an aura of power!

SPLASH.

The water level gradually rose.

It passed her ankles, her calves, her knees... finally stopping at her chest.

Ran Ningshuang relaxed her mind and considered her strategy. For her, the current turn of events was actually a good thing.

’After all... if everyone makes a mistake, it’s as if no one made a mistake...’

’Yuan Lan gave me temporary command. Maybe... I can atone for my failures?’

Ran Ningshuang muttered to herself.

Just then, she suddenly raised an eyebrow, her expression turning cold and stern. "Who’s there?"

"Sister Ningshuang, forgive me for visiting so abruptly."

"Qinghua?" Ran Ningshuang thought for a moment, then with a slight stir of her Magical Power, she released the array’s restrictions.

CLICK.

The crisp sound of high heels echoed as a beautiful woman walked into the courtyard.

She had phoenix eyes and willow-leaf brows, a delicate and enchanting jade-like face, and a graceful, supple figure.

Her jade-green qipao swayed, half-concealing long, slender legs as exquisite as carved ivory. They seemed to glow with the fair radiance of fine jade, an alluring sight that stirred the heart.

Additionally, there was one very critical detail. She was stacked!

On a scale of one to a hundred, this beautiful woman’s looks were at least a 98.

What was even rarer was that her stunning beauty was almost entirely natural, not the result of body modifications made possible by an increase in cultivation.

Therefore, even though Mrs. Qinghua was one of the Candle Python Cave Golden Elixirs and belonged to the unorthodox faction, Ran Ningshuang—who had a habit of judging people by their looks—was on quite good, even friendly, terms with her.

"Qinghua?"

"What is it?"

"If you’re here to plead for those guys, then don’t bother. This Grotto Heaven is critically important. Even the Golden Core cultivators of my own sect will have to risk their lives to fight for it, let alone them."

Ran Ningshuang snorted lightly.

"Of course not..."

"I know that. I only saw how tired you were from your hard work today, sister, so I came to help you relax a bit~"

Qinghua, her expression calm, moved naturally to Ran Ningshuang’s side, just as she had in their previous meetings. Her slender hands came to rest on Ran Ningshuang’s shoulders, and she began a careful, gentle massage.

Under her unique technique, Ran Ningshuang closed her eyes. A comfortable, tingling numbness spread through her entire body. Under Qinghua’s care, she gradually lowered her guard.

"By the way..."

"Sister Ningshuang, I’d like to ask a favor of you?"

"Speak."

"It’s just... could you, perhaps, submit to me?"

"Hm?!" Ran Ningshuang’s eyes flew open in shock.

"What are you talking about? Apologize now, and I can pretend you never said... what?!"

Mrs. Qinghua sat calmly by the hot spring, her eyes cold and profound, reflecting a... blood moon?!

"A blood moon?!"

"You’re a demon..." Ran Ningshuang’s expression suddenly twisted in terror.

She tried to struggle free, only to find her entire body was limp and weak. Even worse... the entire courtyard was enveloped in a barrier!

"Shhh."

"You mustn’t say such things." Qinghua smiled and placed a hand over Ran Ningshuang’s lips.

"Go and get some sleep. When you wake up, you can say goodbye to your old life."

"Good night."

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