20: Jiang Lianshan's scheme, Fang Qingyao's ulterior motives

Don't be fooled by the Thousand Illusions Demoness's stunning, world-toppling beauty; her heart is as venomous as a snake's, ruthless and merciless.

If you truly fall for her temptations, you probably won't even know how you died.

Countless Cultivators in the Blood Demon Dao Province have already proven this with their lives.

The title 'Demoness' is not an empty one.

Jiang Lianshan dared not be the least bit negligent. He focused his gaze on his nose and his mind on his heart, forcibly suppressing the restlessness in his chest, not daring to look at the tempting sights beneath that sheer veil.

"Demoness, I shall go carry out the plan."

He had just informed her of his plan: to expose Fang Qingyao's origins and force Xu Jinhuan to cut off his own support.

At the same time, he also wanted to seize this opportunity to challenge this inexplicably-appearing number zero sequence.

He, Jiang Lianshan, was also a rare Genius. How could he remain depressed and subordinate to others for long?

The position of sequence should be held by the capable!

The Thousand Illusions Demoness also expressed approval of Jiang Lianshan's plan and did not stop him.

"Hmm."

Jiang Lianshan felt as if granted a great reprieve. He practically fled in a panic, wanting only to get as far away as possible from this murderous witch who killed without blinking.

Only after leaving the room and letting out a long breath did he feel a chill run down his back.

It turned out the clothes on his back were already soaked through with cold sweat.

Inside the room, the Thousand Illusions Demoness watched the fleeing figure with a contemptuous smile.

"Heh, a spy of this caliber can actually become a Saint. It seems the Taiyi Holy Land is not as powerful as legend says."

"Still, this kid's idea isn't bad—ruthless, aimed at the heart. If it succeeds, it could save a lot of trouble."

Before her words faded, her figure suddenly twisted, expanded, and then rapidly shrank, like a pulsating tumor.

Beneath the veil, the contours of her body shifted unpredictably, exuding an indescribable eeriness.

A moment later, that extremely bizarre distortion finally ceased.

The originally stunningly beautiful body had vanished without a trace. In its place stood a youth with red lips, white teeth, and a face bearing a sickly pallor.

His naked body was now clad in the ordinary attire of a Taiyi Holy Land Outer Sect Disciple, with the corresponding identity token hanging at his waist.

Stepping outside, he became just another, utterly unremarkable member of the Taiyi Holy Land Disciples.

"Since I have nothing better to do, I might as well go see how far that little spy can go."

The Thousand Illusions Demoness recalled the peerless beauty ranking in her mind, recalled that portrait of Xu Jinhuan, and licked her lips.

"Besides, such a handsome man... It would be a true pity not to devour him utterly, not to kill him at the moment of his greatest pleasure..."

The youth's eyes flickered. Mingling with the Disciples coming and going, he walked slowly towards the direction of the Eastern Emperor Mountain.

...

On the Eastern Emperor Mountain, Xu Jinhuan stretched his body and beckoned to Fang Qingyao not far away.

"Senior Sister Fang, I need to go to the Holy Land's treasure vault. Would you like to come along?"

Just moments ago, that wretched old man, the Taiyi Old Ancestor, had suddenly sent a voice transmission, informing him that the immortal medicine obtained from his earlier tower challenge needed to be personally retrieved from the Holy Land's treasure vault.

It left Xu Jinhuan utterly speechless.

Not only did you not award it on the spot, but now you're making me go get it myself?

Fortunately, perhaps sensing Xu Jinhuan's displeasure, the Taiyi Old Ancestor offered him the chance to select three treasures from the vault as compensation.

With such generous compensation, what more could he say?

Set off immediately!

Hearing the call, Fang Qingyao was first taken aback, then quickly put down the work in her hands.

"As you command."

After speaking, she paused briefly before continuing.

"Also, Master, you may simply call me 'Qingyao.' The title 'Senior Sister' is one I feel unworthy of."

Of course, Fang Qingyao also had her own private motives.

'Qingyao' was an intimate form of address, almost as if it implied a relationship beyond that of follower and master...

"You jest, Senior Sister Qingyao. Let's go for now."

Xu Jinhuan did not directly answer. While the form of address had changed slightly, it wasn't by much.

The two of them, one in front and one behind, left the Eastern Emperor Mountain and were about to head for the rear mountains where the Sect's treasure vault was located.

But before they had gone far, a heroic and extraordinary young man blocked their path.

Divine light swirled around his body, and a dense Killing Intent emanated from him.

Just standing there was enough to make children within a hundred thousand miles dare not cry at night.

A star of slaughter! One who had fought his way out of mountains of corpses and seas of blood!

Having his path blocked for no reason, Xu Jinhuan frowned, his mood instantly plummeting to the depths.

And Fang Qingyao behind him was even more tense at this moment.

Because the person blocking their way was precisely the one who had been persistently harassing and pressuring her before.

"Jiang Lianshan?!"

Jiang Lianshan glanced at Fang Qingyao, his eyes complex—anger, heartache, and hatred all mixed together.

But he paid no mind to this woman he had once pursued. Instead, he addressed Xu Jinhuan.

"Sequence Xu, Fang Qingyao's origins are complicated.

You are the Holy Land's number zero sequence. Every follower you have is of great importance. You must not make a mistake that harms yourself!"

Jiang Lianshan looked at Xu Jinhuan, deep hatred hidden in the unseen depths of his eyes.

A woman he had pursued for so long, regarded as his exclusive possession, was now willingly submitting and serving before another man.

This was something no man could accept.

The entire Holy Land knew he had been trying to recruit Fang Qingyao. This incident had already dealt a major blow to his reputation and interests!

More importantly, as a spy for the Blood God Palace, he already detested the Prodigies of the Taiyi Holy Land, wishing he could eliminate them all!

But Xu Jinhuan's status was too high; he couldn't directly challenge him or pick a fight...

First, reveal that bitch's origins to damage his prestige.

Jiang Lianshan's heart was gloomy. He looked at Fang Qingyao behind Xu Jinhuan, his gaze icy, and began to execute his plan.

The confrontation between a Saint and the number zero sequence instantly attracted countless gazes.

Within a few breaths, a large crowd of onlooking Disciples and Elders had gathered around.

Seeing that enough people had gathered, a trace of sinister cunning flashed in Jiang Lianshan's eyes. He finally spoke.

"This woman's identity is complicated. She is the sole survivor of a destroyed Primordial Clan, jointly wanted by several Holy Lands.

If Sequence Xu takes her in, the Taiyi Holy Land will gain three hostile Holy Lands.

I urge the sequence to think twice!"

As soon as these words were spoken, the entire crowd erupted in uproar.

A Primordial Clan was a Family power on equal footing with a Holy Land, of the highest nobility.

But a destroyed Primordial Clan, with its people gone and its influence faded, became a rat scurrying in the streets, chased and reviled by all.

"Fairy Qingyao is actually the sole survivor of a Primordial Clan? No wonder her talent is so astonishing, almost on par with the various Saints!"

"Heh, what use is high talent? With Three Great Holy Lands jointly hunting her, she won't have a chance to grow."

"I'm not so sure. She now follows Sequence Xu. As long as Sequence Xu is smart, he won't let anything happen to Fairy Qingyao easily. Otherwise, who would dare follow him?"

The Disciples and Elders discussed fervently.

At the center of the storm, before Xu Jinhuan could say anything, Fang Qingyao behind him began to tremble.

Her jade-like hands kept clutching at her skirt. Her long legs shifted uneasily. She bit her red lips so hard they bled. She was nervous to the extreme.

Even the Eye of Destiny, which could see Luck, was tightly shut at this moment,

even though Xu Jinhuan had already given her his assurance.

But at this moment of her origins being exposed, Fang Qingyao's heart was still filled with panic and a lack of confidence.

She was terribly afraid of hearing the news that Xu Jinhuan would abandon her.