The Demon Emperor's Throne (6)

“This voice… could it be the spirit of the Purple Heavenly Sword speaking to me?” Lin Qianshuang mused, her eyes shimmering with contemplation. With a fluid motion, she grasped the protruding thumb of the stone statue and settled herself atop its clenched fist. “Destined one?” she scoffed lightly, “Magical artifacts like you, possessing refined consciousness, shouldn’t solely rely on the concept of destiny. I awakened you, demonstrating a connection between us. So why wait for some elusive destined person instead of choosing me?”

The Purple Heavenly Sword emitted a beam of spiritual light, encircling Lin Qianshuang as if assessing her cultivation level. As the light receded, the sword spirit’s voice boomed with indignation.

“You insolent child! With your meager cultivation base, built upon mere elixirs and magic cores, you dare to covet this immortal? Who knows how many male cultivators you’ve seduced and exploited to attain such a level? This immortal despises those like you, demons who seek shortcuts to power through wicked means. The Purple Heavenly Sword, brimming with righteous energy, would never deign to be wielded by a shameless demon who brings harm to living beings! By what means did you even breach the barrier to arrive here? Do not even dream of gaining any benefit from me!”

This sword actually discriminates against cultivators and holds sexist views? Why must demon cultivators harm living beings? Why must female cultivators with high cultivation levels have seduced male cultivators and stolen their energy to achieve such power? Lin Qianshuang found the sword’s logic baffling. In modern terms, if this sword were a man, it would definitely be a typical misogynist.

Just as infuriating as its previous owner, this Purple Heavenly Sword.

Lin Qianshuang clicked her tongue and scoffed. “A relic from the primordial era, a stubborn old antique. How can you judge good and evil so arbitrarily? Is every path to ascension, besides the human way, inherently wrong? Isn’t the goal of cultivation to transcend, to become immortal or a god? With so many paths available, why concern yourself with which one someone chooses, as long as they ascend with a clear conscience? And in this dog-eat-dog world of cultivation, what does gender even matter?”

The Purple Heavenly Sword Spirit shrieked, “Audacious demon! Such heresy! I haven’t struck you down with my Qi only because you are female. One more word and I shall expel you from this place!”

Lin Qianshuang brushed the dust off her clothes and rose to her feet, her voice cold. “Just a broken sword, nothing more. Don’t flatter yourself thinking I actually want you. If not for them, I wouldn’t spare you a single glance.”

With a final show of disdain, she landed a few more kicks on the sword’s body.

The Purple Heavenly Sword, a legendary weapon revered by sword cultivators throughout history, was now being treated like scrap metal, kicked around without a care.

If not for the female demon cultivator’s somewhat pleasing appearance, the Purple Heavenly Sword Spirit would have already sliced her in two with its Qi.

This was unprecedented for the Purple Heavenly Sword Spirit. Never before had it encountered a cultivator with such audacity. Cultivators typically treated it with the utmost reverence, pleading for it to descend from the mountain and serve them. This female demon cultivator, however, defied all expectations. Not only had she resorted to physical violence, but she also dared to address it with disdain and defiance.

Lin Qianshuang, transformed into a wisp of demonic energy, descended to the ground. A sudden thought struck her, and she ascended once more.

Seeing her return, the Purple Heavenly Sword Spirit let out an arrogant snort within its consciousness. “Foolish woman,” it mused, “has she come to beg forgiveness? Perhaps with enough flattery, I might even bestow upon her some lost, wondrous techniques.”

“Senior,” Lin Qianshuang began, “I’ve been pondering. You appear rather… bare without a scabbard. A magnificent ancient divine sword like yourself deserves a scabbard that complements your elegance.”

Lin Qianshuang gazed at the Purple Heavenly Sword with feigned admiration, her blue eyes sparkling with a mischievous glint. “Senior,” she continued eagerly, “I happen to possess a rare, top-quality spirit stone, the kind one encounters only once in a millennium. It would be the perfect material for a scabbard, wouldn’t you agree? Allow me to craft one for you, as an apology for my earlier disrespect.”

The Purple Heavenly Sword Spirit basked in Lin Qianshuang’s admiring gaze, feeling quite smug. “See,” it thought, “even the cultivator who insulted me moments ago now flatters me. Women, so full of hypocrisy.” As an ancient divine sword, it knew it could only acknowledge one sheath in its lifetime, a choice it could never take back.

Purple Heavenly Sword Spirit, though filled with pride, wasn’t blinded by Lin Qianshuang’s flattery. Cautiously, it inquired, “What material do you intend to use for my scabbard?”

Lin Qianshuang retrieved a piece of titanium alloy from the jade slip, and the strange stone, shimmering with the unique silver luster of rare metals, immediately captivated the Purple Heavenly Sword Spirit.

“What kind of spirit stone is this? I’ve never encountered such a material before; it’s truly extraordinary. Perfect for my scabbard,” the sword spirit remarked, captivated.

The sword light emanating from the Purple Heavenly Sword danced around the titanium alloy, its movements betraying its growing delight. It promptly etched a sword mark onto the stone, leaving its exclusive imprint on the soon-to-be scabbard.

The system-provided titanium alloy proved undeniably effective, effortlessly winning over the Purple Heavenly Sword Spirit who nonchalantly marked the scabbard as its own.

“Host, no need to thank me. I’ve enhanced this titanium alloy with additional materials, adding a hefty four pounds to its weight. Hehehe, I guarantee that Liang Jingxuan, that thin bamboo pole of a man, won’t even be able to lift his waist after receiving the sword.”

Lin Qianshuang chuckled, offering the system a few words of genuine praise. “Excellent work. Ancient divine swords are known to be sheathed seamlessly, never leaving the body of the blade. Once separated, blood will inevitably be scoreed. This will certainly keep Liang Jingxuan quite occupied.”

She patted the hilt of the Purple Heavenly Sword, her mind turning to the task at hand. It was time to design the scabbard.

Lin Qianshuang paused in thought for a moment, then declared with a mischievous glint in her eye, “The scabbard’s color should be a gaudy Death Barbie pink. That eye-searing hue perfectly complements the sensibilities of a typical, self-important man.”

No sooner had she spoken than the metal morphed into a scabbard, bathed in a vibrant, girly pink.

A playful grin spread across Lin Qianshuang’s face as she continued, “Remember that children’s show I used to watch, Balala the Fairies¹? The little wings on their magic wands were rather adorable. They looked so lively and energetic. And then there’s the pentagram, the quintessential symbol of a magical girl who saves the world. Hmm… I think the sword’s engravings should be Peppa Pig. Countless Peppa Pigs, covering the entire scabbard! It’ll conquer not just the Earth, but the entire universe!”

The system, without a hint of judgment, implemented Lin Qianshuang’s design. The Death Barbie Pink scabbard, now suspended in mid-air, instantly sprouted two small, snow-white wings and a pentagram embedded right in the center. Peppa Pig engravings proliferated along the length of the scabbard, quickly covering its entire surface.

Lin Qianshuang surveyed the 34-pound pink monstrosity with satisfaction, picturing Liang Jingxuan straining and groaning as he bent over to carry this flamboyant scabbard. The image nearly brought tears of laughter to her eyes.

The pink scabbard enveloped the majestic Purple Heavenly Sword, merging them seamlessly into one.

The Purple Heavenly Sword Spirit seemed utterly bewildered by the scabbard’s outlandish style and wildly vibrant colors. Never before had it witnessed such an unconventional scabbard design.

As this scabbard was destined to accompany it for eternity, the Sword Spirit had never encountered, nor could it comprehend, such a vibrant pink hue.

The Purple Heavenly Sword Spirit inquired of Lin Qianshuang, “Demon Cultivator, are you jesting? Why does this scabbard appear so peculiar?”

Lin Qianshuang, suppressing her amusement, adopted a solemn expression and elucidated in the patient and sincere tone she typically reserved for clients discussing design concepts: “Senior, you are quite misinformed. The patterns adorning this scabbard depict auspicious symbols lost to the ages. The pink hue mirrors the legendary lotus blossoms of the Guanghan Heavenly Pond, signifying nobility and purity. Mortals often speak of ‘ascending as immortals,’ and the wings represent this aspiration. As they flutter in the wind, they resemble a phoenix soaring towards the heavens, harmonizing with your golden and purple sword aura to create a magnificent spectacle of dragon and phoenix presenting auspiciousness. Observe the central embellishment – the Ziwei Emperor Star. Its placement at the heart of the scabbard exudes a regal air, amplifying the majesty of your ancient divine sword.”

Upon hearing Lin Qianshuang’s explanation, the Purple Heavenly Sword Spirit, despite feeling that the scabbard was somehow unsuitable, couldn’t identify a single flaw in her reasoning. It was left speechless. As it carefully pondered each of Lin Qianshuang’s words, it inexplicably began to see some merit in them, and even the scabbard started to seem somewhat more agreeable.

“Senior, someone awaits me outside, so I shall take my leave. This scabbard, crafted exclusively for you by my own hand, is a secret we shall keep between us.”

Lin Qianshuang offered a respectful bow towards the Purple Heavenly Sword, her eyes twinkling with a playful glint.

Smiling lightly, she said, “I wish you luck in finding your destined wielder soon and breaking free from the constraints of the Prison Sword Formation.”

Silently, she added, “Hopefully, Liang Jingxuan stumbles upon you quickly. I can’t wait to see how dashing he’ll look with you at his side… oh, it’ll be quite the sight.”

Suddenly, a wisp of demonic energy surged from the gaping chasm in the earth. The oppressive aura of a Nascent Soul realm demon instantly sent tremors of fear through the vicinity, causing monsters within a radius of dozens of miles to flee in terror.

Lin Qianshuang stood tall, her robes billowing around her like storm clouds. With a flick of her sleeve, she unleashed a surge of demonic energy, whipping the surrounding sand and dust into a massive vortex. This vortex then engulfed the site of the Purple Heavenly Sword, burying everything beneath and leaving the ground smooth and undisturbed once more.

“Shuangshuang, what took you so long? I was worried sick!” Bai Wan called out, her voice laced with concern. She stood a short distance away, her face etched with worry after what seemed like an agonizing wait.

Seeing Lin Qianshuang emerge unharmed, Bai Wan rushed towards her and pulled her into a tight embrace.

The hands clasped around Lin Qianshuang’s waist tightened with a strength that felt like iron bands.

“Xiaowan, why are you squeezing so tight? Are you trying to kill me? My waist is about to break!” Lin Qianshuang exclaimed, pushing Bai Wan away and clutching her sides with a pained expression.

“Shuangshuang, I’m so sorry! Let me rub it for you,” Bai Wan apologized, reaching out to soothe the ache she had caused.

With a look of concern in her eyes, Bai Wan placed her hands on Lin Qianshuang’s waist, skillfully kneading and pressing with a mixture of light and firm touches. In the unseen shadows, a hint of satisfaction flitted across her face, having taken advantage of the situation.

Lin Qianshuang, highly sensitive to physical contact and with a fear of itching, initially wanted to decline Bai Wan’s massage. However, as she was about to speak up, Bai Wan’s pained expression deterred her, causing her to relent.

The warmth generated by the massaging fingertips on her waist seeped through her clothes and onto her skin, creating a sensation of heat. Unsure if it was merely her perception, she noticed the rapid beating of the heart of the person behind her, along with their escalating breath.

As the temperature in the surroundings seemed to rise, Lin Qianshuang started to feel a sense of discomfort. She couldn’t help but wonder if her heightened sensitivity was contributing to this peculiar sensation of increasing warmth.

A particularly sensitive area on her waist, prone to itching, was pressed several times, seemingly with vague intention.

Lin Qianshuang’s breath hitched, her eyes welling up as Bai Wan’s fingers brushed against a particularly sensitive point on her waist. Instinctively, she reached out and grasped the wandering hand.

Confusion clouded Bai Wan’s features as she looked at Lin Qianshuang, “What’s wrong? Am I pressing too hard?”

A blush crept up Lin Qianshuang’s neck. She couldn’t possibly confess to Bai Wan that a simple waist massage had elicited such a reaction from her.

Back in the real world, she had been labeled as frigid on more than one occasion. Explicit imagery held no allure, as bland and uninteresting as plain water.

Why then, was her body so responsive and easily aroused here?

The stark contrast between how she was and her more recent reactions to Han Shengyao and now, Bai Wan, only intensified her flustered state, making the situation all the more awkward under Bai Wan’s confused gaze.

Lin Qianshuang swiftly changed the subject, saying, “Xiaowan, didn’t you promise to tell me your real name once I overcome the final tribulation? It wouldn’t feel right to keep calling you by a pseudonym after that.”

“I was wondering what you were asking for. So, it was my name you wanted to know.” A smile graced Bai Wan’s face, her eyes filled with fondness as she playfully pinched Lin Qianshuang’s cheek. “Xuan Luowan, that’s my real name. Remember it well, and don’t you forget it.”

Xuan Luowan. The name resonated with a strange familiarity, as if she had encountered it somewhere before. It danced on the edge of her memory, like a fleeting mention in a novel, a name uttered in passing dialogue. Lin Qianshuang blinked, her memory failing to grasp the specific chapter and conversation. Xuan Luowan—the name’s structure echoed the Beast Emperor’s. Could she actually be…?

The thought sent a jolt of panic through Lin Qianshuang’s heart. She quickly summoned the system, desperate for answers.

“Host, Xuan Luo Wan is not the target of your rescue mission. Your target is the Nine-Tailed Demon Emperor, Xuan Luo Qing. The favorability task interface will automatically appear once you encounter your target, so please do not worry.”

Lin Qianshuang breathed a sigh of relief. The system’s reassurance calmed the storm within her. True friends were a rare treasure in this fictional world, and the thought of deceiving one felt wrong.

“Shuangshuang,” Bai Wan began, her voice laced with intrigue, “during your final tribulation, the earth cracked open, revealing the previous Demon Emperor’s remains. His demonic aura lingered, his soul trapped within a wooden coffin. You won’t believe what I found.”

Curiosity piqued by Bai Wan’s secretive smile, Lin Qianshuang leaned in, “Tell me, what did you discover?”

With a playful wink, Bai Wan divulged, “I witnessed the current Demon Emperor refining the previous Emperor’s remains, absorbing his techniques and soul. After he left, I examined the body and found fatal wounds on his head, clearly inflicted by the current Demon Emperor’s magical weapon.”

A knowing smile graced Lin Qianshuang’s lips as a thought bloomed in her mind, “The former Demon Emperor was Han Shengyao’s mentor, yet he was slain by the current Emperor. I wonder, Han Shengyao, if you knew the man you once loved and supported was a treacherous murderer, would you still allow him to rule as the Demon Emperor?”

In the distant sky, clouds of tribulation lingered, taking their time to disperse and unveil the clear expanse above.

Resting within the Jiuyou Secret Realm, Han Shengyao sensed a disturbance and cast her gaze in a specific direction. Her transcendent cultivation allowed her to perceive movements within a hundred-mile radius. The closer one’s cultivation level to the Heavenly Dao, the more attuned they became to the fortunes of heaven and earth, the intricate threads of cause and effect floating within the meditative space like mustard seeds. Suddenly, a causal line connected to her shifted.

Han Shengyao’s eyes snapped open, her dark purple gaze momentarily deepening. In a mere half-month, her disciple had cultivated a demonic infant. Such superficial and foundationless progress would inevitably lead to a bottleneck, potentially costing her life upon attempting promotion.

“Unless she continues on this path, stealing the inner cores of other cultivators to replenish her incomplete foundation. Shuang’er, your impatience will cost you dearly. Do you understand the price you must pay?”

Han Shengyao’s purple eyes narrowed, a flicker of worry betraying her usual stoicism. She pursed her lips and unfurled her right hand, the Tourmaline gemstone resting within her palm like a captive star.

“Only a few months remain before I can emerge from the secret realm. Her defiance of fate will undoubtedly sow her path with trials and tribulations. Ascending and overcoming heavenly tribulations will be arduous, but once she submits and forms a Taoist partnership with me, we will practice the dual cultivation technique, merging our souls day by day. By culling a few demon cultivators each month to nourish her body, there is a chance, however slim, to alter her fate and reshape her demonic roots.”

Time, like a river, flowed on. In the blink of an eye, half a year had passed.

Within the opulent Yixiang Tower of Tianshu City, a new name graced the prominent nameplate: “Jieyu Gongzi²,” a cultivation master shrouded in mystery.

This individual, shrouded in mystery, had never revealed their identity, leaving their gender, species, and origins unknown. They were known only to accept assassination contracts, targeting notorious cultivators across all four paths.

Unlike the highly sought-after assassins who demanded exorbitant fees, Jieyu Gongzi requested only the corpse of their target as payment. This peculiar practice earned them the admiration of many human cultivators, who hailed them as a champion of justice, eradicating evil and upholding righteousness.

Rumors abounded regarding their exceptional musical talent, particularly their mastery of the zither. It was also said that they shared a close bond with the esteemed Sword Master, Du Shuang, often enjoying each other’s company over drinks and conversation.

Many men and women burdened with sorrow and despair would find their way to Yixiang Tower. After listening to Jieyu Gongzi’s melodies and sharing a few moments in conversation, they would leave with unburdened hearts and smiles upon their faces.

Jieyu Gongzi’s renown as one who could “interpret emotions” gradually spread throughout Tianshu City. Their elusive nature and enigmatic identity fueled endless speculation within the human cultivation world, transforming them into a figure of captivating mystery.

Within the secluded study on the fifth floor of Yixiang Tower, two figures sat facing each other, veiled by the soft glow of the room, sharing a quiet moment over tea.

Suddenly, one of the figures rose, gathering a hefty stack of sword technique manuals from the table, seemingly preparing to depart.

“Leaving in such a hurry?” the other figure inquired, a hint of amusement in their voice. “Today is the grand ceremony where the Demon Emperor crowns his Empress, is it not? It’s quite unexpected that he would choose someone as emotionally oblivious as you over the resourceful Bai Wan.”