The leader of the Demonic Sect was also in the Grand Ascension Stage. After carefully questioning his son-in-law about the incident where he lost his head, he decided to go see it for himself.
Although his son-in-law was only in the Void Refinement Stage, his insight was reliable enough for the sect leader to trust his judgment.
The Demonic Sect leader was decisive in his actions. He took his daughter and son-in-law and set off immediately.
A Grand Ascension Stage cultivator could easily fold space to travel, and besides, the Task World wasn’t far from the Spiritual Realm. For one at his cultivation level, that distance was about the same as walking to the corner convenience store near his apartment.
So, bringing along his daughter and son-in-law, he arrived outside the world. The instant they arrived, cold sweat bathed him as though he’d just taken a shower.
He wouldn’t have been so terrified even facing his own clan’s Tribulation Transcendence Ancestor. The last time he’d lost his composure this badly was also because… of that person!
As the Demonic Sect leader, he had a unique talent: he could remember the scent of every cultivator he’d ever met, and this ability wasn’t affected even if the other party was wearing a body double.
The moment he stood still, something clicked deep inside, and he instinctively activated his unique gift… Cold sweat began to pour down his body. At the same time, he transmitted his voice to his daughter, "Offer your highest salute," then barked at his son-in-law, "Kneel down!"
No matter how spoiled the sect leader’s daughter usually was, this time she didn’t hesitate at all. She immediately kowtowed.
And the son-in-law? He didn’t say a word, either. Not only did he kneel, he went fully prostrate with his limbs splayed on the ground—there was no way for him to bow any lower.
With the daughter and son-in-law both in their places, the Demonic Sect leader also pressed his forehead to the floor. Right in front of the Task World, in a gentle and solemn voice, he paid his respects. "Greetings, Senior Qin."
Qin Jingzhou was busy preparing resources for Ling Jing’s advancement. The Demonic Sect leader’s restrained greeting made him smile slightly. "The logistics squad leader has arrived. I didn’t expect this little guy would actually recognize me." He explained, "Under normal circumstances, if I didn’t want to reveal myself, even those of the same cultivation level may not recognize me. This little fellow truly is an exception."
Ling Jing rested her chin on her hand. "That’s my boyfriend. If he hadn’t come, would you have gone back to the Spiritual Realm…?"
Qin Jingzhou answered without a trace of awkwardness, "If he hadn’t showed up, I really was planning to go back and find you something." Glancing at Ling Jing, whose eyes crinkled with laughter as she leaned against him, he asked, "Shall we meet with him?"
Ling Jing answered with a soft "mm."
Only then did Qin Jingzhou speak. "Roll in here."
The Demonic Sect leader’s family of three immediately tumbled right in—literally, rolling their way into the world and appearing in Qin Jingzhou’s living room.
Sensing that the trio had honestly suppressed their cultivation levels to late Nascent Soul, Qin Jingzhou smiled again. "You really do know how to behave, just as always."
The Demonic Sect leader’s eyes shifted a little as he took in Qin Jingzhou in his body double. Without hesitation, he led his daughter and son-in-law in another deep kowtow, ignoring the continuous drops of cold sweat forming a small puddle at their feet.
Ling Jing patted the back of Qin Jingzhou’s hand and looked at the three of them, frozen in place, not daring to move or speak. She couldn’t help but tease, "You’ve really scared them out of their wits."
Qin Jingzhou laughed. "I fought his ancestor once."
Ling Jing perked up. "And then?"
"His ancestor backed off three miles."
Ling Jing burst out laughing. "So he got beaten so badly he doesn’t even dare show his face anymore?"
That’s right.
The Demonic Sect leader thought to himself, Why else would I be this scared? Senior Qin is the Grand Elder of the Dao Sect, and widely acknowledged as the strongest person in the Spiritual Realm.
Seeing their leader like this, the daughter and son-in-law didn’t even need to think—in their hearts, “Senior Qin” was definitely a transcendent, a Tribulation Transcendence master. They knelt without hesitation or complaint.
That’s the good thing about demonic cultivators. When they know they can’t win, they surrender far more slickly than those from the righteous path.
Qin Jingzhou pointed with a faint gesture. "You may go."
The Demonic Sect leader instantly gained a “Resource List” directly to his mind. Reading through it carefully, he felt reassured.
One glance told him that the woman at Senior Qin’s side would soon be advancing to the Divine Transformation Stage. He knew exactly what he needed to do.
He solemnly saluted again, then exited with his daughter and son-in-law—still meticulously rolling their way out of this world.
In the underground laboratory in Capital City, a former Taiyi sect Void Refinement cultivator, now just half a body remaining, sensed space fluctuations twice in a row. He guessed what had happened, and with some interest tied up his long ponytail. “Another one ran headfirst into hard trouble… looks like he paid his ransom and left. Wonder how many brothers and sisters will come keep me company before long.”
The Demonic Sect leader returned to the Spiritual Realm and ordered his daughter and son-in-law to go into seclusion and reflect. He sent his confidant to prepare the resources as detailed on the list, then turned to seek out his clan ancestor.
The ancestor was relieved to see his most promising junior return in one piece. "With his girlfriend in his arms, he’s easy to reason with. Just play nice, cater to his preferences, and let the Dao Sect know as well." After the instructions, the ancestor waved him off.
The confidant quickly gathered all the required resources. The sect leader checked personally. Not only did he include everything on the list, he also added a few extra gifts to match Senior Qin’s preferences.
Satisfied everything was correct, he personally took the supplies to deliver them.
By the way, as soon as he’d returned from his ancestor’s place, he wrote a respectful letter to the Dao Sect, explaining everything.
The Dao Sect was the number one sect in the Spiritual Realm. Unlike the Demonic Sect, with over a million inner disciples alone, the Dao Sect always valued quality over quantity. Counting all elders and disciples together, they barely scraped past one hundred, but even the lowest-ranked was in the Body Integration Stage.
He hadn’t received a reply from the Dao Sect yet, but that didn’t stop him from delivering his package on schedule.
The next day at noon, Ling Jing had just finished eating and was watering the flowers out on the terrace when she saw the Demonic Sect leader standing at the gate, fitting right in with local customs, holding two massive suitcases. When their eyes met, this Grand Ascension Sect leader’s smile was more radiant than the flowers themselves.
Demonic cultivators, you know how it is and I know how it is, their charm is always dialed up to the max.
Ling Jing admired the Demonic Sect leader’s good looks with sincere appreciation. "So, are cultivation goods next-day delivery and free now?"
She put down her watering can and ran back inside, beaming, to hug her boyfriend’s arm in the rocking chair. "Now I finally understand what makes a femme fatale so happy!"
Qin Jingzhou set his tablet aside. "If you want to see him, then go ahead."
Ling Jing studied her boyfriend. "You’re not jealous at all?"
Qin Jingzhou straightened and said earnestly, “As long as I survive, all other consorts remain just that, no more.”
Ling Jing dove into his arms, laughing heartily. Too perfect! Too smooth! Big boss, how could I not fall for you like this?
They lazed around together for quite a while until Ling Jing finally, a little reluctantly, went outside… to collect her delivery.
The Demonic Sect leader, seeing Senior Qin hadn’t come down, reported to his girlfriend instead, "I contacted the Dao Sect, but they haven’t responded yet."
Ling Jing, knowing well her boyfriend’s Dao Sect background, nodded. "Got it."
Watching the Demonic Sect leader leave, Ling Jing considered using a teleportation talisman to send the two suitcases up to the study on the second floor—but the two suitcases didn’t budge an inch where they sat.
Ling Jing felt a little awkward, then realized there was something in them above her current cultivation level. The Demonic Sect leader really was attentive. He’d even packed up everything she might need for this advancement and her future training.
She was about to gush to her boyfriend about the Demonic Sect’s excellent customer service when the two suitcases suddenly soared through the air, tracing a graceful arc through the window and landing perfectly in the study upstairs.
Just then, a small flower bud appeared in her vision, slowly blooming before her, with a line of text inside: The Dao Sect’s disciple with the lowest current cultivation stage is late Body Integration.
Then the writing and the blossom together faded away in the blink of an eye.
Ling Jing quickly flew up to the second floor. "Ah, I knew it! My cultivation is just too low. There’s not much in the Dao Sect suitable for me… Have you planned all along to just pick a sect in the Spiritual Realm and see what you could get for me? My goodness, I like you even more now!"
Qin Jingzhou opened the suitcase in front of him. "Let’s hope you’ll keep liking me after this."
Ling Jing stared at the suitcase packed to the brim with jade slips, a sense of foreboding rising. "Wait, don’t tell me…"
Qin Jingzhou smiled gently. "These are all the things you need to memorize. If you don’t understand something, just ask me. Oh, and by the way, I’ll be your examiner."
Ling Jing: … Totally let my guard down!