The Meeting of Two Drama Queens (1)

Back in the cave, Han Shengyao concentrated on practicing on the thousand-year-old ice stone bed. However, whenever she meditated, she couldn’t help but think about the little beast that circled around her in the sea of consciousness.

Would Shuang’er get used to it there?

After all, this was her first time living in a strange environment.

Han Shengyao’s mind suddenly flashed back to the unkind look Bai Wan had given Lin Qianshuang when she took her away. The more she thought about it, the more uneasy she became.

Bai Wan was a scheming person. But this time, she was here to pick up her apprentice and take her to a new residence. She might want to give her apprentice a hard time. If the apprentice failed to establish authority there, how would she be able to stay in the Demon Emperor’s harem next time?

The more she dwelled on these thoughts, the more agitated she grew, and the demonic energy that flowed freely through her became momentarily muddled by her jumbled thoughts.

Realizing that her current state was not conducive to cultivation, Han Shengyao stepped down from the stone bed and opened the entrance to the cave.

The moonlight, like liquid silver, cast an ethereal glow over the vast expanse of snow-covered peaks. The frigid wind brought a measure of clarity to her mind and calmed her tumultuous emotions.

Upon the white mountaintop, heavy snow fell in feathery flakes, gradually obscuring the traces of the fierce battle that had transpired between master and disciple.

“Master, I must depart.”

As the disciple turned and walked away, the forlorn expression that had etched itself upon her face once more filled Han Shengyao’s heart.

Han Shengyao finally couldn’t suppress her desire to visit Lin Qianshuang, and her figure disappeared in a flash amidst the falling snow.

Tianyi Hall.

Under the guidance of Su Qing, the Right Protector, Lin Qianshuang arrived at the entrance of the side hall assigned to her.

Instead of entering the magnificent side hall immediately, she went to inspect the more than a thousand Frostwoods transplanted by the Demon Emperor in the periphery.

The ancient wood forest that covered the sky set off a circle of silver-white waves under the night wind. The frosty white tree trunks emitted a faint white light, and pure pale purple demonic qi lingered between the luxuriant branches and leaves.

Lin Qianshuang closed her eyes, sensing the influx of magic qi surrounding her body. When she opened her eyes again, her face took on a color of joy.

She had profited greatly. With such pure magic qi, inhaling just a mouthful had significantly accelerated the operation of the magic core in her dantian. Compared to the slow progress before, her cultivation progress at the moment was also much faster.

It just so happened that Lin Qianshuang had not yet practiced in detail the sword technique given to her by Du Shuang, so now was an opportune time to practice.

Her eyes flickered slightly as she casually snapped off a branch from the low-hanging limb of a Frostwood and made her way to a clearing.

Figures wielding swords emerged in her sea of divine consciousness, and she imitated their movements, picking up the branch and gesturing with it as if it were a sword.

Compared to her constrained demeanor during the competition at Jiuyang Peak, her swordsmanship had become much more fluid at this moment. Her once-disorganized steps had become lighter and more refined as she gradually grasped the essence of sword intent.

Frost-white fallen leaves danced chaotically around the white-clad woman wielding a sword in the forest. Her posture was agile as she shifted the position of her sword, her steps twisting neatly. The branch in her hand gradually corroded in the surge of demonic energy. Unconsciously, the demonic energy in her hand condensed into a dark purple sword.

Emerging from her meditation, Lin Qianshuang gazed in surprise at the sword in her hand, which had been condensed with demonic energy.

She had broken through the first layer of the Penglai Immortal Sect’s Floating Sword Technique: Gathering Qi and Condensing Sword.

“I never imagined that Miss Lin would practice the sword path like those pedantic righteous cultivators. Your sword technique is truly remarkable, an eye-opening experience for me.”

Applause echoed from behind her.

Lin Qianshuang turned to find Bai Wan standing nearby. Her usually mournful almond eyes were fixed unblinkingly on Lin Qianshuang’s waist, arousing a sense of unease.

Could her clothes have become disheveled during her sword practice?

Puzzled, Lin Qianshuang checked her clothing, only to find the belt still firmly in place.

Bai Wan’s voice dripped with sarcasm as her gaze shifted from Lin Qianshuang’s waist to her face.

It wasn’t the graceful sword dance that had so captivated Bai Wan, but rather, her attention had been drawn to the slender, supple waist that moved effortlessly before her eyes. The beautiful face that evoked envy in Bai Wan was now flushed with a thin sheen of sweat, as if inviting seduction.

Recalling Lin Qianshuang’s alluring emergence from the water at the banquet, Bai Wan couldn’t help but be momentarily captivated, just like the demon cultivators in attendance.

“Born to bewitch men,” Bai Wan cursed silently, before approaching Lin Qianshuang with a composed expression.

“Bai Wan, why haven’t you left? This is my bedchamber.”

Lin Qianshuang regarded Bai Wan with caution, the demonic energy sword in her hand dissipating into the air.

Bai Wan’s prolonged presence in the Frostwood Forest at such a late hour seemed to be more than merely absorbing the demonic qi present in her abode.

“Do not presume that I will be indebted to you for saving my life. I still remember the scar on my face that you inflicted, causing the Demon Emperor to shun me for two days.”

Bai Wan’s remaining vulnerability dissipated, and she cast aside her pretense, striding towards Lin Qianshuang. Her warning was laced with provocation. “Heed my words, Miss Lin. I am destined to be the Demon Empress, while you will meet the same fate as your master, despised by the Demon Emperor.”

Lin Qianshuang found Bai Wan’s words trite, childish, and unoriginal. Such banter between love rivals was a cliché in countless novels.

With nonchalant indifference, she patted Bai Wan’s shoulder and leaned back against the gnarled bark of an ancient tree. A yawn escaped her lips as she drawled, “Rest assured, Miss Bai. I have no ambition to claim your position as Demon Empress. Nor do I have any interest in the Demon Emperor.”

Beneath her haughty exterior, Lin Qianshuang thought to herself, “I aspire to be the Demon Emperor. Who cares about being the Demon Empress? Let whoever wants it have it.”

The woman in white had a solemn expression, and it was clear from her eyes and subtle movements that she didn’t care at all.

Bai Wan had seen all kinds of people since she was a child, and had long honed her ability to see through them. The woman in front of her was not pretending; she was truly not interested in the position of the Demon Empress.

However, the position of the Demon Empress was clearly a lifelong pursuit of women in the Demon Realm, and no one could resist its allure.

Unless, the woman in front of her already had a sweetheart.

Bai Wan’s eyes flickered for a moment, and a rather bizarre thought suddenly surfaced in her mind. She recalled the intimate interaction between Han Shengyao and her disciple at the banquet, as well as their intimate parting at the Nine Yang Peaks. This was certainly not the ordinary interaction between a master and disciple. Could it be that… The woman in front of her had taken a fancy to Han Shengyao, and because she loved her master, she was willing to be a pawn placed beside the Demon Emperor?

Bai Wan’s gaze towards Lin Qianshuang was no longer hostile but instead took on a bit of sympathy. They were both pawns, but Lin Qianshuang was clearly more pitiful.

The pain of being sent as a gift by her beloved to the side of her rival was bound to be heartbreaking.

“I recall that when you saved me, there were no wounds on your hands, but when you arrived before Han Shengyao, there were inexplicably a few more blood marks.”

Bai Wan suddenly approached Lin Qianshuang and leaned beside her, her black eyes piercing everything as they looked sharply at her. “You deliberately scratched yourself up to make Han Shengyao pity you.”

Lin Qianshuang’s indifferent expression froze for a moment. She thought to herself that this White Lotus was quite formidable, as she had seen through her small actions. It was not difficult to believe that Bai Wan suspected that her relationship with Han Shengyao was not as simple as a mere master and disciple. However, it was beneficial to be misled. After all, she would need to find Bai Wan as an ally sooner or later, for the sake of the power of the Three Demon Sects behind her. It was good to let her realize that she was not a love rival first.

Lin Qianshuang’s eyes flickered with a dim light, and she deliberately turned her head to the side, looking very uncomfortable. She clasped her hands and said, “So what? It’s none of your business.”

“You like Han Shengyao, right?”

Bai Wan’s face slightly flushed, and her protruding pregnant belly touched Lin Qianshuang’s lower abdomen.

Startled by Bai Wan’s sudden approach, Lin Qianshuang was about to withdraw when suddenly her hand was firmly pressed against her abdomen by Bai Wan.

The pulsating sensation of life left Lin Qianshuang completely dazed, as she dared not retract her hand, fearing that the uncontrollable demonic energy might harm the child in Bai Wan’s belly.

Bai Wan leaned in close to Lin Qianshuang’s ear, glancing at the figure slowly approaching in the depths of the forest, and whispered, “Your master is about to arrive here, and if she were to discover her disciple’s virtuous demeanor and harbored different feelings, how do you think she would view you?”

Lin Qianshuang scoffed inwardly, knowing that Han Shengyao’s temperament would have her immersed in rigorous cultivation.

As Han Shengyao drew near, Bai Wan pretended to be shy and pressed her body against Lin Qianshuang’s. She seized Lin’s hand and firmly pressed it against her bulging abdomen. “Don’t speak, don’t resist,” Bai Wan whispered, her voice barely audible. “Or I’ll tell the Demon Emperor tomorrow that you planned to harm the child in my womb, leaving your touch on it.”

Lin Qianshuang’s eyes widened as she stared at Bai Wan, her mind racing. What was this woman’s game?

Then, her thoughts turned to her hand, which was pressed against Bai Wan’s abdomen. She couldn’t shake the feeling that something was wrong. The demonic aura emanating from within Bai Wan’s belly was eerily similar to the one she had sensed when she swallowed the magic core.

“Protector Lin’s melancholy demeanor suggests you’re thinking about Sister Shengyao again. You’re so deeply infatuated with her, yet she has cast you aside,” Bai Wan’s voice echoed clearly in the quiet atmosphere.

Her soft hand, like a water snake, grabbed Lin Qianshuang’s other hand and touched her face. Her rippling ink eyes looked into Lin’s with a mischievous glint. “The child in my belly is rubbing uncomfortably. Your touch is not bad. Rub it a little more gently.”

Lin Qianshuang felt Bai Wan’s hand on her face, seemingly tracing the contours of her eyebrows and eyes. Bai Wan’s laughter was clear and flirtatious. “Once my stomach is comfortable, you can touch my face again, my neck, and a little bit further down~. Hey girl¹, how do you think about my appearance? Can you compare it with your heart’s Sister Shengyao?”

Bai Wan guided Lin Qianfang’s hand down toward her cheeks, her petite body leaning closer and closer to her, the teasing look in her eyes deepening.

Lin Qianfang was taken aback by Bai Wan’s teasing advances. For a moment, she was at a loss for a solution. Suddenly, she spotted Han Shengyao, clad in red, not far away. Feeling as though she was struck by lightning, her face drained of color.

“Master!”