Fleeting?

“The perfect solution is simple—because Yan Sha was originally sealed by Su’e.”

“Don’t… split your focus.”

“Yan Sha has been sealed for ages. It’s already extremely weak.

If Elder emits even a trace of Su’e’s aura, it will naturally submit in fear.

Then take the celestial meteorite—problem solved, everyone’s happy.”

Tang Qiaohuan truly wanted to indulge.

But she had to consider her Master’s feelings.

Teasing was one thing.

Going too far would make her hate her.

Gently refastening Gong Ning’s collar, Tang Qiaohuan couldn’t resist nuzzling her cheek against that soft warmth one more time.

If only Lu Yunling and Tao Lingling would just kill each other…

Then Master would be hers.

Gong Ning herself felt a flush of shame.

With the demoness—Desire—it had been forced.

She’d been made to endure, made to enjoy.

With Yu’ao—it had been mutual, heartfelt. She could accept that.

But this?

What was that word from her past life? Cosplay.

It felt like she’d become a mother, feeding a hungry child.

With someone like this, normal ethics didn’t work.

She feared nothing—invulnerable, flawless.

But did she have no weakness?

As Gong Ning pondered, she noticed Tang Qiaohuan’s eyes widen in sudden fear.

At the same moment, two long arms slid silently from behind.

Like serpents, they coiled around her waist, binding her.

She was pulled back into an unfamiliar yet familiar body.

Warm, damp breath brushed her ear.
“I let you go once.
How dare you come back?
Do you know what happens if you’re caught?”

It was her.

Desire.

Gong Ning’s breath quickened.

The fox spirit treasure—Dust-Hiding Pearl.

She’d heard of it.

It had protected the fox clan since ancient times.

Even Nascent Soul cultivators couldn’t detect it without clues.

“How did you find me?”

“You hid well.

But how could I forget your scent?

No matter where you hide… I’ll always find you.”

Gong Ning took a deep breath.
“Then at least let her go.”

“Her?

Is there someone else here?”

She had sensed Gong Ning—but not Tang Qiaohuan.

Tang Qiaohuan was furious.

Letting her hands all over her Master was bad enough—though deep down, her Master clearly enjoyed it.

But this demoness had ruined her plans again.

Now, powerless, she could only watch as her Master was embraced by another.

“Say it. What are you here for?”

“To stop you.”

Desire mused, “If I help you… will you like me more?”

Gong Ning hesitated. “I… suppose so.”

“Will you or won’t you?”

“I will.”

“What’s your goal now?”

“The Xuan Yuan Sect captured a group of disciples. What’s their status?”

“They’re refining some formation—about half an hour from completion.

Then, the disciples become sacrifices.

You want to save them?”

Gong Ning exhaled, then spoke firmly.
“I must save them.”

There was no other choice.

To Gong Ning’s surprise, Desire said, “I can help.”

“What’s in it for you?”

“If I tell you… will you like me more?”

Here she goes again.

“Depends on the reason.”

“Then you’ll definitely like me.

You offer more than the Xuan Yuan Sect.

You matter more.”

Enough.

Was this about gain… or something else?

“How will you help?”

“You stepped on the splitting formation and got separated, right?

I can reunite you.

I’ll tell you how to bypass traps, where the disciples are—then you can pass the intel to the others.”

She was doing everything.

Tang Qiaohuan, hearing this, was about to explode.

The Xuan Yuan crisis wasn’t hard.

Its impact was huge only because of the scale of destruction.

In truth, it was just a minor side quest—easily cleared by Jiang Yuyao.

The only difficulty? Information.

Tang Qiaohuan had wanted to use this intel to earn her Master’s favor, build a secret bond known only to them.

But now, this demoness had ruined her entire plan.

Gong Ning’s reaction was the opposite.

“Thank you…”

Without her, countless would have died.

Yes, she was a demoness.

But objectively—this was a good deed.

Gong Ning also noticed Tang Qiaohuan’s blank expression.

The girl rarely showed emotion.

So when she was expressionless—she was feeling something.

Not now. Focus.

“I have one more request.”

“Say it. I’ll grant it.”

“…The celestial meteorite.

Can you help me obtain it?”

“That thing?

The sect’s already given it to me for study.

If you want it… consider it my engagement gift.”

Gong Ning’s heart stirred—then sank.

“Leave the Xuan Yuan Sect.

Otherwise, our paths differ—we can never walk together.”

“Do you… truly like me?”

“Not because I do.

But because you haven’t sunk too deep.

You can still be saved.”

“No.

The things I’m interested in go beyond what the world accepts.

And I… follow my heart.”

She released Gong Ning.

“Enough.

Our brief intimacy ends here.”

She placed two items in Gong Ning’s hand.

“This is the Xuan Yuan Sect’s token—carry it, and no formation will trigger.

This is a map.”

“Thank you.”

“Don’t be so humble.

You’re my most satisfying creation.

The most perfect being.

You should stand above all, deserving praise and help.”

Words were always the easiest.

Desire turned and left—doing nothing extreme.

Only the two items in Gong Ning’s hand still held warmth.

Gong Ning took a deep breath.
Then slowly let it out.

“Let’s go. Find them.”

“No need.”

“Hm?”

“Wait a quarter hour… half that is enough.”

At this critical moment—wait?

Gong Ning was about to scold her for not understanding the urgency—when a sound came from above.

She looked up.

A crescent moon slashed across the cliff face, carving a deep fissure.

Then, a figure crashed into the crack.

It was… Desire.

“Oh. Maybe not even half a quarter.”

She turned.

There stood Jiang Yuyao.

Her presence was imposing, sharp spiritual energy swirling, almost solidifying around her.

This was the power of Nascent Soul.

In an instant, the Sword Immortal’s sword formed a shadow.

Immense power surged—like a dragon exhaling mist—and erupted.

The one she had just been talking to…

Was gone.

Jiang Yuyao flicked her sword, sheathing it.

“Did you face any danger?”

“No. No danger.”

Gong Ning crushed the map and token in her fist.

“Let’s end this quickly.

I’ve had enough of delays.”

Her expression was cold.

Gong Ning’s sudden disappearance had terrified her.

And now, this Desire dared to appear before her?

One slash—no words needed.

Luckily, the demoness had fled toward Gong Ning.

That, at least, brought Jiang Yuyao relief.