Resurrect, My Beloved

Meanwhile, in the Central Province, the Demon Sect headquarters.

Unlike the gloomy and eerie atmosphere people usually imagined, the Demon Sect's mountains stood tall, with the headquarters nestled deep within the clouds, looking like a celestial paradise. Mist swirled, immortal cranes danced, and grand palaces were built along the mountainsides, majestic in scale. Anyone seeing it would think they had arrived at an immortal's dwelling—there was not a trace of "demon" about it.

Two streaks of light flew in from the horizon and landed on the ground.

"Brother Lin, is this the sacred land of the demon path you mentioned?"

The two newcomers were young men. One looked around, then glanced curiously at the handsome-faced youth beside him.

"Heh, surprised?"

The youth called Brother Lin chuckled. "Did you think the demon path should be shrouded in ghostly gloom and rivers of blood?"

"Yes... that's what I thought."

The young man nodded, his eyes full of confusion.

"Heh, I told you on the way, that's just slander from the righteous path. We of the demon path don't go around killing and fighting for no reason—we simply live with unrestrained passion and settle scores freely."

"The righteous path couldn't stand that, so they ostracized and slandered us."

Saying this, the youth shook his head, a wry smile slowly spreading across his face. "Back in the day, I wanted to be a good man too. But unfortunately, when I was young, those righteous sects occupied the sacred mountains and blessed lands, bullying us and calling us demonic remnants, trying to wipe us out completely."

"With no choice, I joined the demon path."

"Only after entering the demon path did I realize it wasn't as terrifying as I'd imagined. The people here speak pleasantly, live by passion and revenge, and are utterly carefree."

"Compared to those hypocrites on the righteous path, who preach one thing and do another behind closed doors, I much prefer life here. At least there's not so much deceit and scheming."

The young man listened, the confusion in his eyes clearing.

He had once been highly talented, with hopes of becoming a core disciple of the Heavenly Sword Sect. But because he'd offended the grandson of the Supreme Elder in the sect, he was given the cold shoulder, constantly oppressed, and even his daily cultivation spirit stones were docked.

It was during a drinking session that he met Brother Lin.

Filled with drunken emotion, he couldn't help pouring out his bitter grievances.

Hearing his story, Brother Lin flew into a rage. That very night, he ambushed the Supreme Elder's grandson on the path he had to take back to the sect and killed him, giving the young man a sense of justice.

But because of that, they were both wanted by the Heavenly Sword Sect.

Remembering the days of frustration and lack of opportunity in the Heavenly Sword Sect, the young man still felt indignant.

"What Brother Lin says is right. The righteous path is nothing but a bunch of hypocrites, spouting morality and justice, but in the end, they want to wipe us out over a small matter?"

"That grandson of the Supreme Elder—average in talent, yet he hogged the best resources. On what grounds?"

"Well said!"

Brother Lin gave the young man a thumbs-up and agreed, "The righteous path is a bunch of freeloaders who love branding anyone who won't obey them as demonic."

"Brother, I'll be honest with you."

"After joining the demon path, I realized there are so many people who share my suffering."

"Oh? What do you mean, Brother Lin?"

The young man asked curiously.

Brother Lin gestured for him to walk forward and began to move.

"Let's walk and talk."

"Do you know how many of us in the demon path have been slandered by the righteous? Some people, just because they were born different from ordinary folks, are labeled as evil spirits and hunted by so-called righteous cultivators. Others, just because they practice unconventional techniques, are slandered as demonic remnants and have their entire families executed."

"And some, who did nothing wrong, are branded as demonic just because they got in someone's way, losing their families and homes."

"Even the founder of our demon path was a pitiful soul."

At this point, Brother Lin couldn't help but sigh.

"In truth, our Demon Path Ancestor was originally a good man, wholeheartedly devoted to goodness—slaying demons, protecting the innocent, and safeguarding all life. But unfortunately, he aroused the jealousy of the then-leader of the righteous path, who slandered him as having lost all conscience and committing every evil. Behind the scenes, that righteous leader was secretly trying to refine the entire world to achieve immortality. When our Demon Path Ancestor learned of this, he led people to stop him, but the righteous leader bit back, accusing him of being a demonic charlatan who deceived the masses."

"He even pinned all his own evil deeds onto our Ancestor."

"But our Ancestor paid it no mind and sacrificed his life to completely foil that hypocritical righteous leader's scheme."

"Unfortunately... his reputation was never cleared."

The young man listened, mesmerized, his eyes full of admiration.

"So the Demon Path Ancestor was such a heroic figure."

"Indeed."

Brother Lin shook his head with a wry smile. "It's just that the power of speech in this world is in the hands of the righteous path. Whether something is black or white is whatever they say it is."

"It's okay, Brother Lin. I understand you."

The young man patted Brother Lin on the shoulder and said seriously, "From now on, we are brothers. Together, we'll make our mark in the Demon Sect!"

Brother Lin looked at him, a flicker of emotion in his eyes.

"Then let's go. I'll first take you to find a master. Someone has to teach you, after all."

Hearing this, the young man was startled.

"There's a master too?"

"Of course not?"

Brother Lin found it slightly amusing. "You didn't think we just let people run wild, did you? Every disciple who joins the demon path gets a master to guide them, especially someone with your talent. Someone will surely take you as a close-door disciple."

"I see."

The young man grinned. "I thought the demon path was just everyone doing their own thing. Turns out it's pretty similar to the sect system."

"Everywhere needs inheritance."

The youth called Brother Lin smiled, then strode ahead toward the distant palace.

Along the way, many people greeted them.

"Brother Lin, you're back?"

"Oh? A newcomer? Bring him by for a drink sometime."

"Young master, feel free to drop by my place."

Brother Lin nodded and returned the greetings as they walked.

The young man gradually let down his guard amid these warm welcomes. He hadn't expected the demon path to be so friendly, with an atmosphere even warmer than the Heavenly Sword Sect.

It seemed the rumors were false.

You couldn't know the truth without experiencing it yourself.

Before long, they arrived at a magnificent palace and stopped at the entrance.

"Wait here. I'll go report your arrival."

Brother Lin straightened his clothes and stepped into the palace.

The young man stood outside, curiously taking in his surroundings.

The inside of the palace was even more impressive than the outside—splendid and grand, with carved beams and painted pillars. It was anything but a demon's lair; it was clearly a celestial sanctuary.

Just as he was looking around with curiosity,

Brother Lin hurried out again, having been inside only a short while. His face was beaming with a joyful smile.

"What makes you so happy, Brother Lin?"

The young man asked.

"Good news, great news."

Brother Lin patted him on the shoulder, envy written all over his face. "Brother, the elder who's taking you on as a disciple is running low on his lifespan!"

"Why is that good news?"

The young man looked puzzled.

"Ah, brother, you don't understand. In our demon path, elders whose lifespan is waning often pass on their lifelong cultivation to their close-door disciples."

Brother Lin lowered his voice, his eyes full of envy.

"This is an incredible opportunity! Countless people would beg for this!"

The young man froze for a moment, his heart leaping with joy.

"Then... does that mean I..."

"Shh—"

Brother Lin made a hushing gesture and glanced around. "Keep your voice down. This is a fortune many would envy you for. Joining the demon path as a newcomer and stumbling into this? It's bound to breed jealousy."

Hearing this, the young man fell silent immediately.

Brother Lin nodded in satisfaction and pulled him quickly into the palace.

"Come on, I'll take you to meet the elder."

..........

Deep within the palace, inside an ancient, dusty chamber.

An old man with white hair sat cross-legged on a cushion, his face pale and his breathing so faint he seemed on the verge of death at any moment.

"Elder, I've brought him."

The old man slowly opened his eyes. His murky gaze swept over the young man, and he nodded.

"Not bad. A fine seedling."

"Come here."

The young man hesitated, then stepped forward and knelt before the old man.

"Disciple pays respects to Master."

The old man did not reply. Instead, he reached out and placed his hand on the young man's head. A warm stream of spiritual energy flowed in from the crown, filling the young man with a pleasant, soothing warmth.

"Excellent bone structure. Very good."

The old man nodded in satisfaction, a glint flashing in his eyes. "It seems young Lin has already told you. This elder's lifespan is nearly spent. Before I die, I wish to take on a final disciple, to pass down everything I have learned."

Joy surged in the young man's heart, and he quickly kowtowed.

"Disciple will not disappoint Master's expectations!"

"Good."

The old man nodded in approval, then extended his palm, gently pressing it against the young man's head. "This old man will now bestow upon you all my lifelong cultivation and worldly experience. Open your mind and do not resist."

The young man relaxed, as instructed, letting the warm energy flow into his body.

But in the next instant, his expression changed drastically.

That energy was not as gentle as he had imagined. It raged like a bursting dam, violently crashing against his meridians and sea of consciousness.

"Elder, this—"

The old man said nothing, his eyes tightly shut.

The young man struggled frantically, trying to break free from the hand holding him down, but it was utterly futile. He could only watch helplessly as a foreign consciousness invaded his sea of consciousness.

A moment later.

The old man opened his eyes, looking at the body that now opened its eyes across from him. Then he turned his head to Brother Lin, letting out a sob filled with resentment.

"You tricked me..."

Brother Lin shook his head at him and said helplessly,

"Blame your own stupidity. Did you really think the demon path was full of good people? Just go in peace."

"You—!"

The young man choked on his last breath and died on the spot.

With that done, Brother Lin bowed toward the young man. "Congratulations, Elder, on a successful possession."

The young man gave a grunt in acknowledgment and tossed him a pouch of spirit stones.

"Well done."

With those words, his figure flickered and vanished instantly.

The next moment, in the main hall of the Demon Sect.

"Back from the dead again?"

The Demon Sect Leader, seated on the high throne, looked at the young man who had suddenly appeared in the hall, asking with a tone of half-hearted surprise.

"Whose idea was this? Brilliant."

Wu Changkong, the Demon Sect's Great Elder, flexed the youthful body he now inhabited, sighing with genuine admiration. "Just spreading a few stories, and it draws so many righteous disciples—some of them exceptionally talented—to join our demon path."

"That's so much easier than us desperately trying to kidnap people."

The Demon Sect Leader chuckled.

"People always prefer bizarre, twist-filled stories over dull facts. They'd rather believe lies that feed their inner desires than accept the boring truth."

"This was the Saintess's idea, wasn't it?"

Wu Changkong let out a hearty laugh, then suddenly looked puzzled. "I haven't seen the Saintess around lately. I hear she's been holed up in her chambers doing who knows what."

The Demon Sect Leader snorted. "Who knows?"

Meanwhile, in the Saintess's chambers.

Deep in a dark, underground room.

On a stone platform lay a fragmented corpse—fragmented because it was a patchwork of broken pieces, assembled with meticulous effort.

Around the platform was an intricate formation.

A woman in a purple robe arranged a variety of celestial treasures around the platform. Then she pressed her hands together, flicking through a series of hand seals, and shouted,

"Rise again, my love!"