My Answer

Qin Ximo carried many healing pills, but she no longer had the miraculous kind that could revive flesh and bone.

Those had originally been prepared for herself, and she hadn’t had many to begin with.

After swallowing a few pills, Cao Xueyan’s complexion improved noticeably.

She didn’t know whether Lu Qianyun had done it intentionally or not, but the medicinal pills she had fed her earlier were… questionable.

As a result, though Cao Xueyan was a cultivator, her wounds were healing far too slowly.

But thinking of Lu Qianyun’s identity as a demonic saintess, it was hardly surprising.

The only reason she bothered to treat Cao Xueyan at all was because the girl was still useful to her.

Once everything was settled, Qin Ximo immediately turned her attention to Lu Qianyun.

The oppressive presence of a Nascent Soul cultivator spread out.

Lu Qianyun pretended to stay relaxed, but inside she had already grown wary.

“I was careless.”

Qin Ximo said.

“I didn’t expect you to break free of the God-Suppressing Talisman by borrowing the power of heavenly tribulation.”

“Fairy Qin, if you have something to say, just say it.”

Lu Qianyun dropped the act — Qin Ximo was strong, but at this moment still couldn’t kill her.

At least not yet.

Besides, as the leader of a righteous sect, Qin Ximo couldn’t remain in the cave-heaven for too long.

The demonic sects were not limited to the Pleasure Sect alone.

The outside world was filled with demonic chaos — without the sect leader, Qingyun Sword Sect would be in danger.

Thus, Qin Ximo would have to negotiate, and Lu Qianyun could use this chance to secure a future for the Pleasure Sect.

“You have a way to get us out of this cave-heaven, don’t you?”

Lu Qianyun answered honestly:

“There is another teleportation array within this immortal mountain.

It leads to the outside world.

But… I’m not sure where exactly it connects.

Still, it’s the only way out I know.”

Qin Ximo frowned.

“The teleportation array we used to enter — can it not be used to exit?”

“That array is one-way.

It only allows entry.

Even if you return the way you came, you won’t find a single trace of it.”

Having said this much, Lu Qianyun simply laid her cards on the table.

“Fairy Qin, I know you don’t think much of a demoness like me — but with the current state of the cultivation world, wasting time on me is pointless, isn’t it?”

“What do you want?”

“My demands are few.

I only ask Fairy Qin to swear a heavenly oath —

After we leave the cave-heaven, you shall not harm the Pleasure Sect for three hundred years.”

Lu Qianyun lifted her head, looking directly into Qin Ximo’s eyes.

“This request shouldn’t trouble you too much, should it?”

Qin Ximo replied calmly:

“Three hundred years is too long.

One hundred at most.”

Lu Qianyun’s eyes brightened — it meant she was willing to negotiate.

She took a step closer, trying to seem friendly.

But Qin Ximo clearly disliked her.

Sensing the cold aura radiating from her, Lu Qianyun let out a dry laugh.

“How could three hundred years be long?

You are now Nascent Soul — your lifespan is over a thousand years.

Three hundred years is but a blink to you.”

“True, it is not long for me.

But for your Pleasure Sect, it is too generous.”

Qin Ximo said.

“You demonic cultivators grow stronger faster than ordinary cultivators.

And you have obtained the inheritances here.

Give your sect three hundred years, and ‘raising a tiger to bring disaster’ is an understatement.”

“We of the Pleasure Sect have never sought to bring chaos to the world.”

Lu Qianyun said earnestly.

“Since our founding, we have only followed our ancestral teachings — seeking joy and pleasure for our disciples.

Bloodshed and slaughter are not our interests.

If not for Fairy Qin killing so many demonic cultivators centuries ago, forcing the demonic sects to cling together for survival,

we would never have joined them.”

Qin Ximo clicked her tongue.

“So you’re saying my righteous actions back then caused trouble for your sect?”

“I dare not blame Fairy Qin.”

Lu Qianyun said quickly.

“I can also swear a heavenly oath:

For the next three hundred years, the Pleasure Sect will close its doors, disband all external operations, and forbid disciples from leaving the mountain.

We will sever ties with other demonic sects.”

Qin Ximo thought for a moment.

“You’re straightforward — but three hundred years is still too long.”

Lu Qianyun immediately replied:

“If Fairy Qin agrees to my terms, two hundred years is acceptable.”

The room fell silent.

A needle dropping could be heard.

Finally, Qin Ximo nodded.

“Very well.”

Lu Qianyun’s face lit up.

“So Fairy Qin agrees?”

“Don’t push your luck.”

Qin Ximo’s expression remained cold.

“I will not harm the Pleasure Sect —

But if I meet your disciples committing evil, do not expect my sword to show mercy.”

“Naturally.

From now on, if Fairy Qin sees our disciples committing wrongdoing, feel free to act.

Our oath will not bind your justice.”

…

“The tribulation… stopped?”

Xiao Menglan stared at the sky, incredulous.

“We haven’t even seen the person undergoing tribulation — how could it just… end?

Did something go wrong?”

“According to those from Gusu Immortal City, this place contains a secret realm — practically a small cave-heaven.

Anyone capable of leaving behind such a secret realm must possess unimaginable power.

There must be someone undergoing tribulation — we are simply too weak to see it.”

An elder beside her said.

“If so, who was the one transcending tribulation?”

“Yes — if it was someone from another sect, what will become of our Qingyun Sword Sect?

We still can’t reach the Sect Master!”

Xiao Menglan grew annoyed at the chatter.

She finally slammed her sword hilt and said:

“Instead of panicking, why not go ask how to enter the secret realm below?

My senior sister might still be inside — I won’t leave her alone.”

Qin Ximo was strong, yes — but ancient secret realms were not things modern cultivators could easily tamper with.

Xiao Menglan had planned to stabilize her cultivation in preparation for a breakthrough, but this matter kept haunting her mind.

Especially in recent days — something had given her a deep, inexplicable dread, as if her senior sister truly had encountered a life-and-death crisis inside.

Now that the tribulation clouds had dispersed and the sky had returned to clarity,

Those scheming to profit from chaos began silently withdrawing.

After all — the tribulation was over, yet no one had caught sight of the transcender.

There was no treasure to seize, no opportunities nearby, and no other sects present.

Why stay and risk death?

Following Xiao Menglan’s orders, several Foundation Establishment disciples rode their swords into the sky —

And soon returned with results.

Xiao Menglan looked at the rogue cultivator dragged before her.

She turned to the disciple who captured him:

“Who is this? Why did you bring him?”

The disciple bowed.

“I saw him together with a demonic woman from the Pleasure Sect.

I thought he was a demonic cultivator and captured him.

As for the Pleasure Sect woman — her escape techniques were too strong.

I was unable to pursue her.”

“We’ll deal with that later.”

Xiao Menglan scanned him with her spiritual sense.

He had not cultivated demonic arts.

But his qi and blood were weak, his realm unstable — clearly overdrawn from dual cultivation with that demoness.

“I ask you — since you associated with a Pleasure Sect witch, do you know of their plans?”

At the question, the man collapsed, crying and kowtowing repeatedly.

“Mercy, immortal master!

I’m just a wandering cultivator!

I was greedy for shortcuts and dual cultivated with her!

I’ve never practiced demonic arts!

I swear I’m not part of the Pleasure Sect!”

Xiao Menglan frowned.

“So your connection was merely brief — and you know nothing else?”

“N-no… not exactly.”

The man stammered.

“She mentioned that the Pleasure Sect has been contacting other demonic sects recently…

Something about joining forces for a great plan.

Even their Saintess has descended the mountain.

I… I think she’s in the secret realm.”

Xiao Menglan ordered the disciples to take him away.

He wasn’t a demonic cultivator, and his ties weren’t deep — Qingyun Sword Sect wasn’t unreasonable.

However—

Wait.

Something was happening inside the secret realm below.

Not only Xiao Menglan — every Golden Core cultivator present seemed to sense something,

And they all turned to look toward an unremarkable mountain ravine.