Chapter One Hundred and Ten: Things Got Out of Hand
“Tai Ku La!”
The voice echoed clearly across the square.
Between the mountain gates.
Even in the surrounding mountains.
Everyone was deathly silent, staring at him.
Not just the crowd of cultivators below were left in a state of confusion.
Hua Jianglian, Tang Yubbing, and Master Yu Xia.
Even the bunch of Sang family members backstage.
All stared at him blankly.
Clearly, not a single person knew what Young Master Sang was trying to pull.
Young Master Sang still maintained his carefree demeanor.
But inside, he was already cold sweating.
…What’s happening?
Why is there no reaction?
Is what I said wrong?
But I remember last life, when superstar singers acted all high and mighty, just saying a few words would get the crowd cheering and screaming.
Or did I miss the point completely?
After an eternity, sparse applause and murmurings finally broke the silence, preventing Young Master Sang from suffering utter humiliation.
There were even many cultivators whispering to each other.
“This Demon Lord… doesn’t seem very bright, does he?”
“Can’t say, after all, he’s an ancient monster who’s been stuck in closed-door training for thousands of years, might just have a few quirks.”
“He’s a half-saint in the Great Ascension realm; perhaps his words contain meanings we can’t grasp.”
“Exactly, just obediently listen.”
Young Master Sang forced himself to calm down and continued to project that high-and-mighty persona, saying coolly:
“I have been in closed-door cultivation for a thousand years, finally completed my breakthrough the other day. Now I’ve reached the Great Ascension, only one step away from the ultimate Dao fruit.”
“This step, I wonder if in this lifetime I can take it.”
“However, having reached such scenery, I can be said to be content. Knowing there are still many demon cultivators like I once was, without a place to belong in this world, I cannot help but feel for them.”
“So, I have decided to take charge of the Demon Path, effective immediately, recruiting all those lost souls from the cultivation world—providing shelter for all demon cultivators to find joy!”
What a powerful declaration! The cultivators looked in awe.
Providing shelter for all demon cultivators to find joy?!
What a domineering and utterly rebellious statement!
If they were to let the Demon Path grow this strong, is there even hope left in the world?
“However, the demon cultivators under my command are not just anyone who can join.”
Young Master Sang scoffed: “To join my Demon Path, one must undergo a strict examination of personal history and that of their immediate family.”
“Young female practitioners with large breasts, long legs, fair skin, and beauty will be given priority. Male practitioners must be diligent, able, willing to work hard, obedient, not complain about low pay or lack of vacation…”
Everyone: “?”
What kind of bizarre standards are these?
Is this even a Demon Path anymore?
But then again, the entry bar for sacred places was already exceedingly high. For instance, the Sword Flower Palace only accepts female disciples and rejects male ones.
Some sharp-minded folks sensed that the Demon Path might be trying to take this opportunity to wash its hands clean while stepping up to the sacred ground.
For a moment, Young Master Sang rambled on the stage, while the cultivators below pondered over the hidden meanings in his words.
“…And that’s the way it is.”
After talking a whole bunch in a dry throat, Young Master Sang finally cleared his throat and said sternly:
“What I wanted to say is just this. Now if anyone has doubts about me or the Demon Path, feel free to ask.”
“If there are no objections, I shall announce that we are entering the next segment of this promotion ceremony—”
Young Master Sang thought his task was about to be wrapped up perfectly.
However, at that moment, someone suddenly stood up and said confidently:
“Demon Lord Senior, I am Xie Qi, head of the Qingtai Chamber, I dare to ask you to clarify.”
Hmm?
Someone actually dares to ask questions?
Aren’t you afraid I might actually be an old monster in the Great Ascension realm, and if I’m in a bad mood, I could squash you like a bug?
While internally alarmed, Young Master Sang still replied calmly: “Speak.”
The middle-aged cultivator named Xie Qi seemed nervous but mustered the courage to ask:
“Senior claims to be named Sang Zhe, but according to disciples I’ve taken in from the Water Moon Sect, Sang Zhe is said to be a traitor of the sect, a little foundation-stage cultivator who fell into the Demon Path.”
“What is your relationship with this person…”
Once he finished, he sneakily glanced at the Yuanming Daoist and Elder Yongning.
The two gave Xie Qi a thumbs-up behind the scenes.
That’s right, Xie Qi was the planted spy they had set up.
They were most suspicious of this Punishment Department Demon Lord identity after all.
Today, they were determined to uncover this person’s true colors.
Upon hearing this question, Young Master Sang’s heart tightened.
But fortunately, he had prepared for this moment.
He propped his head with one hand, his eyes peeking behind the mask at the notes in his palm, and spoke flatly:
“Indeed. I have taken over the body of a little demon cultivator named Sang Zhe.”
“It’s just that after a thousand years of closed-door cultivation, my original body had decayed, and I had no choice but to resort to possession.”
“By coincidence, in the Punishment Department of the Demon Path, I saw this handsome young man named Sang Zhe; his looks could charm countless female cultivators in the world. Furthermore, his talent is exceptionally rare, and his character is humble and gentle…”
He rambled on about a bunch of things that had nothing to do with him, then suddenly flipped the script:
“I’ve had fate with him, which is why I took over his body to be reborn.”
“After a thousand years, I’ve completely forgotten my own name, so I’m just casually using this kid’s name.”
“Any more questions?”
Xie Qi hesitated for a moment, and seeing that Yuanming Daoist and Elder Yongning were vigorously signaling him, he mustered the courage to press on:
“Se-Senior, having just reached the Great Ascension, you must have gained profound insights during a thousand years of cultivation.”
“Might you… might you…” He stammered for quite a while. Still, he gritted his teeth and asked:
“…Might you be willing to offer guidance to all the junior cultivators present?”
This proposal stunned everyone.
Because this suggestion was actually quite rude.
As a Great Ascension realm demon cultivator, there was no reason to use his insights to instruct those external cultivators.
However, this proposal was a genuine test of whether this so-called Demon Lord was indeed truly of the Great Ascension realm.
So despite the whispers growing louder, no one spoke out to stop him.
Young Master Sang was also extremely displeased.
He could tell this guy was directed by Elder Yongning and Yuanming to probe him.
But he had no idea what dirt they had on him to make him take this risk.
After all, they didn’t know whether he really was in the Great Ascension realm.
If he truly lost his temper and eliminated the instigator, tough luck for them.
But it must be said.
He definitely couldn’t withstand the probing.
After a moment of silence, Young Master Sang could only grit his teeth and scare them off, suddenly slamming the table:
“Impudence!”
Immediately, the surrounding day darkened.
A wave of inexplicable fear and pressure engulfed Xie Qi, making him shiver involuntarily, his legs weakening as he knelt: “Senior, please quell your anger!”
“Who are you? Why should I guide you?”
“I…” Xie Qi’s face turned pale with fear, stammering for words.
But the next moment, a voice that astonished everyone resonated:
“By my authority.”
“Is that enough?”
Support me by donating at least $10, and you'll have the right to request any novel from Novelpia (excluding 19+ content) using a newly developed tool.
