Chapter 535: Xiang Shaoling at the Bottom

—

Rewind to a few months ago.

During the collaboration between the Heaven’s Teaching Sect and the Death God Society to execute the “God Descent Plan,” which aimed to bring Rain Master Tan, one of the “Five Ancestors,” into this world.

—

The Valley of Termination.

This valley, located within the territory of Jiu You Holy Land, was marked by a raging river cutting through its center, flowing straight into the sea.

Deep within the ocean.

In a desolate and silent space.

A dignified, long-haired man sat cross-legged in meditation, his eyes closed.

Suddenly.

One of his eyes snapped open—

“Heh heh.”

The strange, mismatched giggle he let out clashed with his otherwise regal demeanor.

Upon closer inspection, one could see that the left side of his face was entirely covered by a dark red, sinister substance, leaving only his eye exposed.

This eerie red entity seemed to have a consciousness of its own—

“Finally, it’s here!”

It was the aura of Mother!

The entity, brimming with excitement, began to taunt “itself”:

“Xiang Shaotian, you can’t stop us!”

“You’re just a mantis trying to stop a chariot, struggling in vain!”

“The ‘Door’ will definitely open!”

“Mother will undoubtedly descend upon this world!”

The plan to connect the Inner Realm and the Outer Realm would make her the true god of this planet!

At that point, its mission as the “spatial coordinate” would be complete!

“If you pledge allegiance to us now, I will plead for Mother to reward you.”

“With your talent, Mother will surely accept you as one of us!”

After the raspy voice from the “left side” finished speaking.

The “right side” responded calmly—

“Red Jue, stop deluding yourself!”

The voice was deep and powerful, belonging to the real Xiang Shaotian.

“You said the same thing over twenty years ago.”

“Heh heh, that time was different from now!”

“That was just a test. This time, we’re serious!”

Over twenty years ago, a trace of Mother’s aura had also reached this world.

But since nothing had happened since then, it was likely a failure.

Mother’s plans were infallible.

So, that attempt must have been a mere trial!

This was the real beginning of the plan!

It began to tempt Xiang Shaotian:

“It’s not too late. Join us!”

“Join us, and you’ll be the hero who opens the ‘Door’!”

“You’ll not only gain endless wealth and glory but also the method to become a god, reaching the Mythical Realm you’ve long sought!”

This time, it wasn’t lying.

After years of conflict, it had come to admire Xiang Shaotian’s talent and determination.

If Xiang Shaotian joined them, the “Door” could be opened quickly, and Mother would gain a powerful subordinate.

It was a win-win situation.

However.

No matter how much Red Jue tried to persuade him, Xiang Shaotian remained unmoved:

“Heh, don’t make me laugh!”

“Do you think I could ever trust the words of my mortal enemy?!”

“Have you forgotten what you’ve done?!”

Red Jue and he… shared an irreconcilable blood feud!

In truth, the Xiang family had no “Demonic Bloodline.”

It was all Red Jue’s doing.

Using sweet words, it had tricked the Xiang family’s ancestor into signing a bloodline contract, granting the family power.

The “Bloodline Eyes” and “Demonic Form.”

The Xiang family had enjoyed this “gift” for generations, until the night of the clan gathering.

When all the Xiang family members were gathered together—

Red Jue, sensing the time was ripe, activated the “God’s Farewell” contract to reclaim the family’s power.

Like planting seeds in their bodies, the Xiang family had benefited from Red Jue’s gift.

But once the seeds grew into towering trees, deeply rooted.

Reclaiming them would mean the death of every Xiang family member.

They were powerless to resist.

That night, he had watched as his entire clan screamed and struggled in terror before him.

Only he was spared.

Because of his extraordinary talent, Red Jue had chosen him as its “vessel.”

Streams of red energy flowed from his clan members into him, nourishing and strengthening his body.

He could feel himself growing unimaginably powerful—

But once the process was complete.

He would lose consciousness.

And a terrifying monster, one that could dominate the entire ancient martial world, would be reborn in his form.

There was only one way to stop it—

Before his clan members died from having their power stripped, he had to kill them himself.

They were beyond saving.

“…What… should I do?!”

—In the end, he made his decision amidst unbearable agony.

—

Even now.

Xiang Shaotian vividly remembered the moment he killed his adoptive parents—

“Shaotian, you did well…”

“From now on… take care of Xiaoling for us…”

After standing motionless before their corpses for a long time.

His “lucky” younger sister, who had been late because she was playing, finally arrived.

As the only two survivors of the Xiang family.

Under the blood moon.

Amidst the bloody, hellish scene of countless corpses.

“…Brother…”

“Why is everyone…”

“What… happened?!”

The once-close siblings locked eyes—

“……”

At this moment.

Recalling his vengeful sister, Xiang Shaotian felt a twinge of tenderness—

“This… is for the best…”

“I’ll bear everything…”

“I’ll resolve everything…”

“Xiaoling, you… just live a happy, peaceful life…”

—

Over a month later.

While Xiang Shaotian continued his relentless efforts to refine Red Jue, and Red Jue resisted with all its might.

Neither could have imagined that the people they were thinking about were together.

Casually playing—

“Animal Battle Royale!”

Snake: Rain Master Tan.

Fox: Tushan Yingyu.

“Kitty Cat”: Xiang Shaoling.

“Good Doggo”: Dugu Qingyu.

“Big Fierce Bear”: Lin Chaoyin.

Of course, aside from the little fox, the other four wore expressions of reluctance and disgust.

At Wang Haoran’s insistence, the five of them awkwardly participated in the game.

—

“Match over!”

Rain Master Tan emerged victorious!

Naturally, her strength far surpassed the other four, allowing her to use her overwhelming spiritual energy to “coordinate” her efforts.

Thus, she completed the tasks in record time.

“As for the last-place kitty cat, there will be a punishment!”

“You must honor the bet!”

With that, Wang Haoran picked up the struggling Xiang Shaoling.

And began kissing her with practiced ease.

“Mm~”

After so many days of “education,” she was already used to it.

So, after a token resistance.

Feeling Wang Haoran’s firm embrace, she huffed internally.

“How dare he make me do that…”

She was only complying out of necessity; she hadn’t truly submitted!

“I’ll bite you to death!”

—Then she eagerly awaited her “prey” to walk into her trap.

“……”

“……”

Meanwhile.

Watching the intimate scene, the other four couldn’t help but share the same thought—

“This time… I overperformed…”

“Next time, I probably won’t be so lucky…”

Next time, with “normal performance,” they’d surely end up in last place!

“And when that happens, that damned Wang Haoran will punish me the same way…”

Thinking of Wang Haoran’s mischievous ways.

Their faces flushed—

“I better mentally prepare myself so I don’t embarrass myself when the time comes!”