The Side Character Who Wins by Doing Nothing

If we hold true to our purpose, what is there to fear of the future?

A simple sentence, yet it thundered deep within Xie Ningyuan’s soul, the echo refusing to fade.

The shackles deep within his soul seemed to silently dissolve at that moment.

The problem with his Heart Demon wasn’t that he couldn’t understand certain principles. To put it plainly, even when he did, he would be plagued by self-doubt.

If he were to fail and console himself with the thought that ’as long as I did my best, the outcome doesn’t matter,’ he would see it as a mere excuse—a way to shirk his responsibility.

But when it came to Lu Sangjiu, despite being at the center of the situation, she maintained such a broad perspective. She wasn’t obsessive or fearful, possessing only the courage to press ever forward.

He simply felt... that this was wonderful.

He couldn’t help but raise a hand to his chest. He felt a sense of ease and relief he had never known before.

’The Heart Demon that’s plagued me for centuries... Perhaps it’s finally time to break free.’

Lu Sangjiu didn’t notice Xie Ningyuan’s reaction. After speaking, her own misgivings and worries had vanished as well.

She turned and resumed her search, hoping to find any other records related to the trafficking of Demon Cultivators.

Unfortunately, a search of the entire secret chamber yielded nothing else of use.

Lu Sangjiu then asked Xie Ningyuan, "Where is Ji Heng’s secret chamber? Let’s go take another look together."

Xie Ningyuan nodded. "There wasn’t much time before, so I didn’t get to investigate thoroughly. We might find something new if we go back."

The two of them went over. Lu Sangjiu went into the secret chamber to investigate, while Xie Ningyuan searched Ji Heng’s room and the City Lord’s study outside.

Lu Sangjiu searched everywhere, but it seemed Ji Heng truly had no part in the Demon Cultivator trafficking. The hope of finding clues through her was a dead end.

Though she didn’t find what she was looking for, she did uncover something else.

As she stared at the ancient tomes recording various Evil Techniques and the very familiar Qilin Sect insignia on them, pieces of the puzzle she couldn’t previously solve began to fall into place.

’So Ji Heng is also from the Qilin Sect. No wonder Miao Miaomiao—that is, Qin Miao—and her group had no reaction to the glaring inconsistencies last time.’

’Instead, just like the City Lord, they were fixated on finding Ah Ming.’

’Although Qin Miao is likely a Combined Cultivator, she must have gone to great lengths to deceive everyone and infiltrate the Joyful Union Sect.’

’I don’t know her exact method, but it surely isn’t something that would let her unseal and reseal her cultivation at will. That must be why that little trickster Ah Ming managed to luckily escape from her clutches.’

’Also, Qin Miao probably already knows about my Immortal Demon Dual Cultivation. That’s why she used news of Demon Cultivators to lure me away from the Joyful Union Sect, certain that I would take the bait.’

’Fortunately, Qin Miao is no saint herself. Even if she exposed my Immortal Demon Dual Cultivation, no one would believe her.’

’Besides, Qin Miao probably wants to capture me herself to get the secret to Immortal Demon Dual Cultivation, so she wouldn’t just leak the information.’

’Something else I couldn’t figure out now has an answer: why Ji Heng and her people suddenly moved against me.’

’The Joyful Union Sect must have already made a move on Qin Miao, so Ji Heng got the order to capture me alive or, failing that, kill me.’

’But Ji Heng had her own selfish agenda. She wanted to use us as fodder for her Evil Array to temper and purify her Spirit Root.’

’So Ji Heng subtly manipulated the City Lord into making a move, while she planned to reap the benefits without lifting a finger.’

’Of course, considering the Evil Array needed enough energy to include the Nascent Soul Stage City Lord, it’s clear Ji Heng never intended for him to survive.’

’The City Lord’s infatuation was tragically misplaced.’

As she pieced all this together, Lu Sangjiu’s face suddenly paled. ’Wait... if the Joyful Union Sect already moved against Qin Miao and failed to capture her, she’ll definitely come here!’

Lu Sangjiu’s heart leaped into her throat. She spun around and shouted, "Xie Ningyuan, we have to go, now!"

The two rushed back to the courtyard and gathered the wounded. Lu Sangjiu immediately pulled out a Teleportation Talisman.

But just as the talisman was about to activate, a fiery light descended from the sky, and the talisman in her hand instantly burst into flames.

It was too late to save it. She could only let go, allowing the talisman to fall to the ground and burn to ashes.

At the same time, a woman’s soft chuckle rang out. "Everyone, I trust you’ve all been well?"

Everyone looked up to see a woman in black gauze with an exquisite figure standing before them.

She was stunningly beautiful, with a countenance and aura completely different from Miao Miaomiao’s. But upon closer inspection, one could still faintly discern a trace of Miao Miaomiao in her features.

Lu Sangjiu’s gaze hardened. She subtly moved to shield the others. "...Qin Miao."

There was no longer any need for speculation. The woman before them was, without a doubt, in the Body Integration Realm.

One could clearly sense her cultivation had been advanced through some sort of Evil Technique. Even so, for her to survive successive Heavenly Tribulations and break through to the Body Integration Realm despite her wicked methods was a testament to her skill.

It was a known fact that Evil Cultivators were anathema to heaven and earth. It was several times more difficult for them to safely pass a Heavenly Tribulation and advance than it was for ordinary Cultivators. Furthermore, the higher their cultivation and the more sins they had committed, the more severe the tribulation would be.

This was why, despite the power Evil Cultivators wielded, few were willing to walk that path.

To be rejected by heaven and earth meant that their path of cultivation was one of defying the heavens... and since ancient times, how many who defied the heavens had ever met a good end?

When Qin Miao heard Lu Sangjiu speak her name, the corners of her lips curved into a slight arc.

"Come to think of it, we’ve crossed paths several times, yet this is the first time I’ve shown you my true face."

"So let’s have a proper introduction... I am Qin Miao, the current Sect Master of the Qilin Sect—the one you destroyed."

As she spoke that last sentence, Qin Miao’s tone was light and her smile never faltered, but Lu Sangjiu could see endless killing intent in her eyes.

’I’ve ruined her plans several times, and her master died at my hands. Her hatred for me must run bone-deep.’

Despite facing the killing intent of a Body Integration Realm expert, Lu Sangjiu’s expression remained unchanged. She said coolly, "I would have thought you’d be frantically evading the Joyful Union Sect’s pursuit right about now. What, did you take time out of your busy schedule just to come make a new friend?"

"Hah. I’ve already led those fools from the Joyful Union Sect far away. Did you really think... anyone would come to save you this time?"

Qin Miao’s eyes turned sharp and cold. "I always thought I’d keep you alive, but now... I’ve changed my mind. You can just die along with the rest of them."

"The road to hell won’t be so lonely for you."

Having stalled for the time it took to exchange a few words, Lu Sangjiu finally finished silently chanting the Teleportation Talisman’s Spell. The Eighth-grade Teleportation Talisman in her other hand—her last resort—activated instantly.

As a golden light flared, she held onto the others for dear life. Her eyes were fixed on Qin Miao, her heart pounding with anxiety as she counted down in her mind, ’Three... two... one...’

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