Once a Demonic Cultivator, Always a Demonic Cultivator

Lu Yunyun had achieved her goal, so naturally she was in an excellent mood.

She walked to the stone gate, circulated her cultivation technique, gathered spiritual power into her palms, placed both hands against the cold stone, and gently pushed.

Ziii–

With a tooth-aching scraping sound, that seemingly heavy stone gate was actually pushed open so effortlessly by the delicate-looking Lu Yunyun.

As the scene behind the gate gradually revealed itself, everyone craned their necks with anticipation, only to see a fairly spacious stone chamber.

The chamber was mostly empty, but the floor was carved with intricate formation patterns, and bronze-colored formation flags were placed around the perimeter.

“A teleportation array?”

Qin Ximo, who had already stepped forward, glanced once and immediately identified the formation inside the chamber.

Indeed—this was a teleportation array.

The name sounded simple, but ever since the decline of the ancient era, the art of creating teleportation arrays had long been lost.

In the current cultivation world, only a few damaged teleportation arrays remained, and no one knew how to repair them or where they led.

However, many large ancient ruins used teleportation arrays as their entrance.

On the other side might be an unknown place, or perhaps a small world created by an ancient powerhouse through great mystical power.

That was something even Nascent Soul cultivators could not accomplish—only cultivators of the Spirit Transformation Realm could do such a thing.

Leaving that aside, the activation method of the teleportation array before them was simple—placing enough spirit stones in the key formation nodes.

Qin Ximo glanced sideways at Lu Yunyun, who had been behaving unusually obedient and well-mannered since earlier.

Her attire was conservative, her makeup light, giving her the appearance of a gentle and quiet noble lady.

Even the Hehuan Sect disciples behind her no longer acted flirtatious and instead stood straight and proper.

But no matter how much they pretended, they could not escape their identity.

Once one cultivated demonic techniques, there was no turning back.

If they were demonic cultivators for one day, then for this entire lifetime, they would remain demonic cultivators.

Qin Ximo would not be fooled by appearances.

However, something did catch her attention—why did the maid who always followed behind Lu Yunyun look so familiar?

“Immortal Qin, could it be that you’re reluctant to use a few spirit stones?” Lu Yunyun asked with a soft smile.

“Well, since this ruin was left by a predecessor of my Hehuan Sect, and I as the Holy Maiden can be considered the host—how about this? I’ll provide the spirit stones needed to activate the array. It’s only a trivial expense.”

Qin Ximo ignored her.

Instead, she stepped forward—causing Lu Yunyun’s smile to freeze in place.

Her heart tightened.

Has she discovered my intention?

But Qin Ximo simply walked past her, stopping in front of Cao Xueyan.

“Immortal Qin, this is my maid—”

Lu Yunyun tried to speak, but Qin Ximo cut her off without hesitation.

The sword immortal who always appeared calm and emotionless now looked slightly dazed, and in a cool, clear voice asked:

“What is your name?”

Cao Xueyan’s heart trembled—so it had come after all.

She had already mentally prepared herself for this moment.

Earlier, she had hidden among the Hehuan disciples, dressed plainly and unremarkably.

Qin Ximo didn’t even care about the Holy Maiden, much less a small maid.

But her dangerous face still attracted attention.

Her nervousness was real—she could show fear, but she could not reveal anything else.

She was supposed to be a demonic cultivator’s servant—being afraid of the righteous sword immortal made sense.

But if she slipped up—this entire simulation would collapse.

And then what excuse would she have left?

Fate was cruel—it had given her a face nearly identical to her original one.

“The humble one… is named Shen Yuemian, a maid under the Holy Maiden.

Immortal Qin’s status is lofty—why ask the name of a lowly servant?”

She forced herself to meet Qin Ximo’s gaze, though her knees nearly gave out.

“…Nothing.”

Qin Ximo studied her carefully, then withdrew her gaze.

The resemblance was there, but the subtle details were different.

Her junior disciple was, as far as she knew, still safe and sound in Qingyun Sect.

This girl’s aura also showed she had not cultivated Hehuan techniques yet—her yuan-yin remained intact.

But as the maid of Lu Yunyun, she was still no different from a demonic cultivator.

Just another little demon girl.

Yet—her timid and delicate demeanor stirred a faint trace of pity in Qin Ximo.

Like seeing a shadow of her own little junior disciple.

Lu Yunyun noticed this look and raised her brows.

“Immortal Qin, could it be you’ve taken a liking to my maid?” she asked, testing her.

“She resembles an old acquaintance.” Qin Ximo replied lightly.

Lu Yunyun rolled her eyes secretly. She didn’t believe that at all.

“My maid possesses a rare Profound Yin Body, seen only once in a hundred years.

If Immortal Qin likes her, take her.

I can even include several top-tier Hehuan techniques for replenishing yuan-yin—after cultivating them, you’ll find replenishing it effortless.”

Qin Ximo’s expression instantly turned cold.

“If you say one more immoral word like that—I’ll send you to the underworld to meet your former sect master.”

The Hehuan Sect had suffered under Qin Ximo’s sword in the past—this was not an empty threat.

Lu Yunyun immediately stopped joking.

She walked into the center of the teleportation array and took out the token again.

“No more nonsense. We enter the ruin now.”

Qin Ximo waved her sleeve, and several piles of spirit stones flew out, filling the array with abundant spiritual energy, misting into a visible haze.

The stones fell precisely into the formation nodes.

The token shone with light.

The teleportation array activated.

In a flash of brilliance—Qin Ximo and the Hehuan disciples vanished.

The rogue cultivators, demonic cultivators, and disciples of other sects rushed in after them before the formation’s ripples dissipated.

Qin Ximo had used teleportation arrays before; the disorientation passed in moments.

When she regained clarity, she lifted her gaze—and was quietly stunned.

Before her lay pavilions, towers, and immortal halls of jade and fragrance.

A vast immortal mountain pierced the clouds, its ridges faintly visible amid scattered mist—clearly a hidden immortal domain.

But what shocked her was the sky.

A setting sun and a full moon hung side by side.

Sun and moon together.

A miracle impossible in the mortal cultivation world.

This was undoubtedly a small world crafted by an ancient powerhouse.

Lu Yunyun smiled softly.

“This place,” she said, “is where the Hehuan Sect’s legacy lies—Bihua Cave Heaven.”