It can be described as an lingering sound that leaves one enthralled and enchanted, wishing they could have been part of it

The hundred or so rogue cultivators had long shed any semblance of a cultivator's dignity or rationality.

They were like starving wild dogs, plunging headfirst into a forest of flesh.

The cacophony of bizarre cries intertwined with the half-hearted protests and scolding of the Joyful Union Sect's female disciples.

Hidden in the shadows, Su Ji's frown deepened.

His gaze swept slowly across the scene.

The rogue cultivators' faces were flushed, their eyes bloodshot, their breathing ragged. The spiritual energy within their bodies was in complete disarray, visibly leaking from their dantians at an alarming rate.

In contrast, the Joyful Union Sect's female disciples, who appeared to be under siege, were another matter entirely.

Though they seemed disheveled, a closer look revealed their breathing followed a mysterious, rhythmic pattern.

Deep in their eyes, there was no fear, no humiliation.

They weren't suffering—they were... working.

An absurd yet undeniably logical realization exploded in Su Ji's mind.

Feeding?

No.

This was no simple feeding.

This was a grand sacrifice, one that consumed the essence, energy, and spirit of a hundred Foundation Establishment cultivators—utterly and completely.

And that rogue cultivator with the purple destiny, the one who boasted of countering formations? He wasn't some savior.

He was the most crucial pawn in this ritual.

It was he who made everyone drop their final shred of caution.

Of course.

The Joyful Union Sect preached the Dao of Yin and Yang.

So why were only female disciples present this time?

There was only one explanation...

Among the first sixteen to enter the formation, ten were actually male disciples of the Joyful Union Sect in disguise.

As for the remaining rogue cultivators...

Hadn’t some turned into bloody pulp right from the start?

From Su Ji's perspective, the flaws were glaring.

For instance, why did some with the same cultivation level turn to mush while others remained unscathed?

But then, the disciples had put on that obscene performance.

How could these rogue cultivators stay rational?

The moment Su Ji pieced it all together—

Gu Ranran spat out a spirit root and spoke: "Have you girls had enough fun?"

"Pretty much."

"At the Holy Maiden's command."

"The quality’s lacking, but the quantity makes up for it. And we didn’t have to hold back."

"Good. Let’s not delay the main event any longer."

Hummm—!

The enormous blood-red formation pattern suddenly erupted with a sinister crimson glow.

"Ah—!"

"My cultivation... my spiritual energy is draining!"

"No... help—!"

Inside the formation, the rogue cultivators still lost in their lust finally sensed something amiss.

Horrified, they watched as their bodies withered at a visible pace—their black hair turning white, their skin wrinkling like parchment.

In mere breaths, they went from robust cultivators to desiccated corpses on the verge of collapse.

Thud. Thud. Thud.

One after another, the dried husks collapsed, turning to ash before even their souls could escape, devoured entirely by the blood-red formation.

The once-boastful "formation-breaker" now stood behind Gu Ranran, a satisfied smile on his face. "Apologies for the earlier disrespect, Senior Sister."

In the blink of an eye, a hundred cultivators had been reduced to mere fuel for the formation.

The cavern fell into deathly silence.

Gu Ranran rose gracefully, flicking her sleeve to restore her tattered robes to pristine condition. The "fear" and "humiliation" on her face vanished, replaced by an aloofness that seemed to look down upon all beneath her.

"No matter. A bit of play now and then has its own charm."

The other Joyful Union Sect disciples also stood, straightening their attire and lining up behind her as if the earlier debauchery had never happened.

"Congratulations, Holy Maiden. The grand formation is complete!" A disciple bowed.

Gu Ranran gave a slight nod, her gaze drifting past them to land on the [Dragon’s Saliva Stone].

She didn’t approach immediately. Instead, she parted her lips slightly, her voice soft but carrying clearly through the cavern.

"Friend hiding in the shadows—did you enjoy the show?"

Su Ji’s heart lurched.

Discovered?

He held his breath, remaining motionless, suppressing his aura to the absolute limit.

Damn. A cultivator’s spiritual sense was just too unfair.

No chance to play the lurking predator?

Gu Ranran didn’t seem to care whether he responded. She continued, almost to herself.

"I know you’re there."

"From the moment you stepped into the [Dragon Shackle Abyss], your every move has been under my watch."

"Whether it was you killing my two useless junior sisters or you sneaking all the way here—I saw it all."

Su Ji sighed inwardly.

He’d underestimated these elite sect disciples.

They’d laid out this scheme to seize a treasure—of course they’d account for scavengers trying to profit from their efforts.

"No need to tense up." Gu Ranran’s tone held a hint of amusement. "If I wanted you dead, you wouldn’t have lasted this long."

"You’re different from those lowly rogue cultivators. Your patience and temperament... are passable."

Su Ji stepped out from the shadows, wearing a harmless smile.

"Holy Maiden flatters me. I’m just an ordinary Qi Refining cultivator. I know nothing. I saw nothing."

Gu Ranran studied his innocent expression.

"Oh?"

"Then explain how you survived unscathed against my two Foundation Establishment junior sisters."

"Does that sound ‘ordinary’ to you?"

Su Ji’s smile didn’t waver, but his mind raced for a way out.

Options?

Where the hell were his damn options?

Facing over a dozen Foundation Establishment cultivators and an unfathomable Gu Ranran, his current strength was a death sentence.

Run?

He’d be dead before he even reached the cave entrance—turning his back would just make it quicker.

What now?

As his thoughts flashed like lightning—

Gu Ranran abruptly shifted the topic.

"But none of that matters now."

"I’m in a good mood today. I’ll give you a chance to live."

She raised a slender finger, pointing at the [Dragon’s Saliva Stone].

"See that stone?"

"Go. Bring it to me."

"Do this, and not only will I spare you, I’ll even take you into the Joyful Union Sect as my... personal guest. How does that sound?"

Her lips curled slightly as she appraised his face.

Su Ji suddenly agreed with that rogue cultivator’s crude but accurate assessment earlier.

This woman had more schemes than people who’d... well.

After sacrificing a hundred cannon fodder without even a breather, she was already scheming to use him as the next disposable pawn to test the [Dragon’s Saliva Stone].

Her calculations were practically audible.

Cold laughter echoed in Su Ji’s heart, but his face twisted into fawning gratitude.

He walked toward Gu Ranran at a measured pace, his posture humble, even bending slightly at the waist.

"Holy Maiden jests."

"This lowly one’s meager skills could never hope to catch your esteemed eye."

As he drew near, he clasped his hands in a show of sincerity.

"However, my admiration for the Holy Maiden is as boundless as an endless river, flowing ceaselessly."

"Especially that grand... well, performance just now."

Su Ji carefully chose his words, his face perfectly conveying a hint of lingering fascination and yearning.

"It was truly an enchanting melody that lingers for days, leaving me utterly spellbound and in awe. How I wished I could have joined in, offering my humble contribution to the Holy Maiden!"