New Task: Remain Unmoved

As soon as the black-robed elder finished speaking, a pure white spirit dog emerged from his robes. It approached Qin Gou, sniffing carefully, and then spoke, “No doubt about it, it’s him.”

Qin Gou narrowed his eyes.

Even disregarding the talking spirit dog, the aura of the black-robed elder before him indicated he was at least at the peak of the Grinding Long Realm, a level far beyond Qin Gou’s current ability to contend with.

Was he going to have to self-destruct a magical artifact to escape?

Ever since leaving Gu Yue City, he’d used the “Perfect Disguise Talisman” to completely change his appearance. How had he attracted such an enemy?

“Impressive, young man,” the elder said, eyeing Qin Gou with admiration. “Your composure is remarkable, truly a talent, worthy of the innate ‘Enlightened Dao Body.'”

“So that’s it,” Qin Gou murmured with a bitter smile, realizing the source of his predicament.

The elder’s eyes sharpened, his tone threatening, “You have two choices: join my Seed Demon Holy Sect and receive abundant resources for cultivation, or face certain death. Do you have any objections?”

Seed Demon Holy Sect? That didn’t sound like anything good!

For a Heavenly Master like me to join such a demonic sect would be a disgrace! Even if it meant death, I’d never…

“Ding, new task issued: ‘Remain Unmoved’: The Seed Demon Holy Sect’s leader’s daughter, Gu Feiyan, is capricious and has harmed many. As the saying goes, ‘He who harms others will be harmed,’ the Host is tasked with staying close to Gu Feiyan to influence her positively. Reward: two lottery spins, 5000 merit points, and a one-time advancement of a life-bound spiritual tool. Time limit: six months. Failure will result in the Host’s sexual characteristics shrinking to one inch, irreversibly. Justice may be delayed, but it will never be absent!”

That’s a bit too righteous, isn’t it?

Qin Gou immediately declared, “I am willing to join the sect! Honored Elder, thank you for your guidance. I will strive to contribute to the sect’s glory!”

“Ahaha, good! Very good,” the elder exclaimed, patting Qin Gou’s shoulder with appreciation. “Such eloquence and talent, truly impressive!”

With that, the elder summoned a crimson spirit boat from his storage ring, inviting Qin Gou aboard before preparing to depart.

Chen Keshai, the chubby young man, looked confused. “Brother Qin, what about me?”

“You can come too,” the elder said with a wicked grin, knocking Chen Keshai unconscious and bringing him aboard the spirit boat as they flew away.

During the flight, the elder asked with a smile, “I haven’t asked your name, young friend.”

“Qin Gou, as in ‘thief of hooks,'” Qin Gou replied nonchalantly. There were many with the same name, and with his new appearance, he wasn’t worried about exposure.

“Oh?” The elder’s eyes flashed with surprise, and he laughed. “What a coincidence, sharing a name with the third-ranked Demon Master Qin Gou on the Heavenly Demon List!”

“Heavenly Demon List?” Qin Gou asked, puzzled.

The elder explained, “There are many rankings in the cultivation world, some unofficial, others issued by the great dynasties. The Heavenly Demon List ranks the avatars of the demonic path by strength.”

He continued, “Though the Demon Master was always renowned, he remained elusive. But recently, he appeared in a small city, unleashing the fearsome ‘Divine Feather Avatar.’ Even without fighting, his reputation and his disciples’ achievements earned him the third spot on the list! A true beacon for us on the path of demonic cultivation!”

Hearing this, Qin Gou gritted his teeth in silence.

The elder glanced at Qin Gou, puzzled. “Hmm? What’s wrong, young friend? You look like you’ve swallowed a fly.”

“It’s just… I’m so awed by the Demon Master, yet we share a name but not a fate,” Qin Gou said, forcing a smile.

The elder looked at him intently, then laughed. “Don’t underestimate yourself. The Enlightened Dao Body is a rare and exceptional physique! Our sect’s founder had it too. If you grasp his legacy, you might rival the Demon Master! Together, you’d shake the cultivation world.”

“Really?” Qin Gou’s eyes showed a mix of doubt and intrigue. Could this small sect truly hold such hidden treasures?

The elder smiled confidently. “Believe it or not, your path is already planned, without room for error!”

Meanwhile, at Senluo Mountain, Purple Extreme Demon Sect.

“Report!”

A disciple, holding a red command arrow, entered the hall unimpeded, kneeling before Sect Master Zhao Xinting.

Zhao Xinting, seated cross-legged in meditation, opened his eyes slightly, smiling as he glanced at the arrow, a symbol of utmost secrecy. “News of my master, I presume.”

He dismissed others, leaving only the messenger, two guardians, and himself in the hall.

“Master’s foresight is unparalleled! I am in awe,” the disciple said, full of genuine admiration.

Zhao Xinting, his enchanting smile unchanged, mused, “If I’m not mistaken, this report states… Demon Master Qin Gou has inexplicably lost all his cultivation and is living like a common man, yes?”

He nodded, gazing at the ceiling, eyes narrowed, a sigh escaping his lips.

“Master, what should I do with you?”