The Hehuan Sect Was Squeezed Dry for Ten Thousand Years, but It Became a Sacred Ground? - Chapter 35

Chapter 35: Appetizers Before the Grand Competition: Plum, Orchid, Bamboo, Chrysanthemum, Peach, Apricot, and Crabapple!

Upon hearing the news, the women were momentarily stunned, followed by an overwhelming surge of joy in their hearts.

“Thank you, Sect Master, for the reward!”

They didn’t even ask what the reward was, as the Sect Master had no reason to deceive a few small Golden Core cultivators like them.

“However, before I take you there, there’s one condition.”

“What does the Sect Master want us to do? We are at your command, with no second thoughts!” the women declared resolutely.

To hear the truth in the morning and die in the evening—this might be an exaggeration, but as long as they could rapidly improve their cultivation, they were willing to pay any price short of death.

“You don’t need to do much,” Liu Ruyan chuckled, then enunciated each word clearly: “Just make a Heavenly Oath. Whatever you see or experience tonight, not a single word of it can be revealed to anyone.”

She didn’t elaborate on the reasons, as these people weren’t worthy of her full disclosure.

If it weren’t for the need to win their loyalty and simultaneously enhance the core strength of the sect, Liu Ruyan wouldn’t have gone to such lengths.

Thinking of something, a trace of embarrassment and annoyance flashed through her ice-blue eyes.

To get A’Chen to agree to this, who knew how much she had sacrificed behind the scenes?

The seven female stewards looked at each other, each somewhat uncertain.

After all, it was a Heavenly Oath!

As cultivators, who wouldn’t feel a sense of reverence?

But in the end, the female stewards decided they wanted to progress more.

One by one, they made the oath.

“Good,” Liu Ruyan was somewhat satisfied with their compliance. If they had hesitated when opportunity was right before them, she would have retracted it without hesitation.

To put it bluntly, they were merely Golden Core cultivators—optional for the sect’s development, not essential.

Her gaze fell on a certain spot, and Liu Ruyan spoke indifferently.

“In that case, tonight I’ll trouble Junior Sister Xu to lead the way.”

Xu Qingyao, who had been waiting nearby, stepped forward, smiling as she bowed. “Yes, I will ensure the Sect Master’s task is completed well.”

…

The moon was dark, the wind high, and the bright moon hung alone in the sky.

The scattered stars mirrored the excitement and anxiety in the hearts of the female stewards.

The seven women, riding their swords, closely followed Xu Qingyao, who was flying through the air.

An opportunity?

What kind of opportunity could it be?

Seeing Xu Qingyao suddenly descend, the women followed without hesitation.

As their feet touched the ground, the steward with a crabapple pattern on her skirt looked around and exclaimed in surprise, “Isn’t this the back mountain of the sect?”

Apart from the endless forests, there was only one place in the back mountain of the Qinglian Sect.

The Demon Locking Prison!

Instantly, this name appeared in the minds of the women.

Soon, the anticipated structure came into view—it was indeed the Demon Locking Prison.

Xu Qingyao turned around gracefully, her smile carrying a hint of charm.

“What follows involves the greatest secret of our Qinglian Sect!”

“Those who wish to leave may do so now. I won’t hold it against you. Otherwise, once we proceed, there will be no turning back.”

The seven female stewards looked at each other, feeling secure, and not a single one backed down.

In fact, they grew even more expectant.

They were naturally aware of the rumors about the Demon Locking Prison.

Today, would they finally learn the truth?

…

With a rumble, the prison gates opened.

The women filed in.

As soon as they entered, the demons on both sides roared, their emanating auras causing hearts to tremble.

The female stewards’ expressions turned grave.

These auras were at least stronger than theirs.

The Demon Locking Prison truly held demons!

The deeper they went, the more powerful the demons became.

Some even surpassed Xu Qingyao, who was leading them.

Yet, her steps didn’t falter.

This made the female stewards wonder.

What exactly was this opportunity?

Gradually, there were no more demons on either side, but the winding downward path continued.

The female stewards didn’t know how long they had been walking.

Finally, a faint light appeared below, and they reached the end.

The seven women focused their gazes, only to be met with astonishment.

What was going on? Why was there a man?

…

Ignoring their reactions, Xu Qingyao’s demeanor shifted from composed to alluring, her eyes burning as she gazed at the man she could never tire of looking at.

Her crimson lips curved into a smile, her tone soft and coquettish, “Nephew, Auntie has come to see you again. This time, I’ve brought many gifts. Do you like them?”

As she spoke, she swayed her hips, revealing the stunned female stewards behind her, as if presenting goods for a buyer to choose from.

Ning Chen, who had been meditating, opened his eyes and looked at the row of elegant beauties standing before him.

Information panels popped up one after another.

There were too many people, and Ning Chen couldn’t be bothered to remember them all, but the women, each adorned with plum, orchid, bamboo, chrysanthemum, peach, apricot, and crabapple patterns, were distinctive in their own ways.

Their cultivation levels were mostly around the first or second layer of Golden Core.

In terms of appearance, the highest was a 92, and the lowest an 89—rare beauties in the outside world.

As for the talents they could replicate, they were somewhat lacking.

Only the Plum and Peach women carried blue-tier talents; the rest were mostly green.

Combined, the experience they could provide was less than what Xu Qingyao alone could offer.

Ironically, they were stronger than Liu Ruyan.

Ning Chen was somewhat interested, but not overly so.

Perhaps even Liu Ruyan felt that having seven women dual cultivate with him was beneath him.

Thus, she had reluctantly allowed him to explore her cold, ancient path.

Although Ning Chen didn’t give Liu Ruyan face, he respected her essence.

Possessing the Heavenly Ice Soul Saint Body, while others were warm, she was cold—a novelty.

So, he agreed to this assistance plan.

Ning Chen didn’t mind a bit of charity, treating it as seven appetizers before the grand competition to select outstanding newcomers.

Liu Ruyan’s willingness to humble herself for the sake of the Qinglian Sect’s development was the true amusement he sought.

Little did she know, no matter how glorious her dream of becoming the strongest Sect Master was, she would ultimately remain beneath one person!

…