"Leader! Our sect now boasts around one hundred and twenty followers! The remaining demonic cultivators in the surrounding areas who haven’t been dealt with have already fled in all directions!"
"Our Divine Sect has regained its former glory, and unifying this territory is only a matter of time."
The scene was still the original demonic cultivator stronghold, the same room as before, except the skeletal throne had been ordered to be buried, replaced by an ordinary chair.
Wen Zuo cupped his hands slightly and congratulated Li Xingtian, who sat on the plain chair, still frowning at the map.
"At this rate, our mission will be accomplished soon."
Li Xingtian raised his eyes. "Those demonic cultivators were caught off guard because they were unprepared. Now they’ve scattered and gone into hiding—finding them is harder than exterminating them."
"Save the congratulations for when the job is done. Have the spoils from the last few demonic cultivator hideouts been sorted?"
Wen Zuo nodded lightly. "Everything has been handled as per your orders, Leader. Spirit stones, weapons, and pills that can be sold were all confiscated. Only items usable by demonic cultivators were distributed among our followers."
Li Xingtian nodded in satisfaction. Even a mosquito’s worth of meat was still meat—letting those demonic cultivators waste proper spirit stones would be nothing short of sacrilege. Better to save them for his master’s rent.
"Did any of the followers raise objections?" A faint glint of coldness flashed in Li Xingtian’s eyes.
Yu Jing answered this time. "Of course not. Those who did… never got the chance to join us."
Li Xingtian gave a slightly regretful nod. "Have you scouted the next demonic cultivator hideout?"
"Yes. However, the larger groups are hiding too carefully to track. Only one group, led by a Core Formation demonic cultivator, has shown itself."
Yu Jing pointed to the map, marking the group’s location with a pulse of spiritual energy.
Li Xingtian followed her gesture. "Small gains add up. Having something to do is better than waiting around. We’ll deal with this group later. Also, don’t let the new recruits laze about—today’s their first test. A hundred cultivators are too many to sustain."
Yu Jing quickly responded, "Understood, Leader."
By now, the two had come to understand their leader’s style—swift and decisive.
If he said he’d exterminate you today, he wouldn’t wait until tomorrow.
Every day was spent hunting targets, every day ending with their elimination.
Yet, his methods were unmistakable—when it came to demonic cultivators, he struck hard. Literally.
As for ordinary mortals abducted by demonic cultivators, the leader showed far more patience. After verifying they were unharmed, he’d send them back to be handled by the Taidao Sect.
If not for the color of his spiritual energy, Li Xingtian’s actions could easily be mistaken for those of a righteous sect’s leader.
No wonder he’d been assigned to such an important post.
Truly—even among demonic cultivators, heroes could emerge!
Deep within a hidden cave.
The alluring woman who had attended the earlier meeting in the ruined house swept her gaze across the cavern.
Over a dozen demonic cultivators stood motionless, their eyes vacant. Even the Core Formation demonic cultivator seated at the head wore a grotesque smile, his posture unnaturally twisted.
The woman’s attention shifted to the kneeling girl before her. Dust smudged the girl’s face, but it couldn’t hide her lively, captivating eyes or her delicate beauty.
Her tattered robes revealed just enough—covering what needed to be hidden, exposing what could entice.
The woman studied the girl’s pitiful expression and asked softly,
"Do you remember what he looks like?"
The girl’s voice was timid yet sweet. "I remember, my lady."
The woman gave a slight nod. "Wait in the cell. The target is already gathering his forces to come here. Remember your mission—use every trick you have."
Blood-path demonic cultivators were infamous even among their own kind.
Most of them were so consumed by bloodlust that their minds only registered two things: "Kill!" and "I’ll refine them!"
But there was one thing even a clogged mind couldn’t ignore.
Crude as it was, the baser the tactic, the more effective it tended to be.
Blood-path cultivators, brimming with vitality, naturally harbored stronger desires than ordinary cultivators—making this the perfect approach.
Compared to elaborate schemes requiring Li Xingtian’s approval to infiltrate his inner circle, a whisper in his ear or a breeze by his pillow would be far more useful.
Once he had someone he couldn’t bear to lose, he’d lower his head—or at least, they’d have leverage to negotiate. At the very least, they needed to uncover his origins.
As for Li Xingtian’s claim of representing the Central Plains’ Demonic Spirit Sect, the woman had already investigated and confirmed it was a facade—after all, she had her own informants within the real sect.
Unfortunately, after observing him for some time, she found the man only seemed interested in hunting and killing. Otherwise, she could’ve arranged a more fitting approach—this one felt a bit forced.
But there was no time to be picky now. They’d test the waters first.
"Yes, this subordinate will fulfill the mission without fail."
The girl rose slowly, checking the demonic crystal embedded in her arm before heading deeper into the cave.
As she left, the woman walked toward the exit, snapping her fingers lightly before stepping out.
The demonic cultivators in the cave jolted as if waking from a dream, momentarily confused before resuming their rowdy chatter.
The Core Formation demonic cultivator on the throne, however, felt an inexplicable dread—as though he’d narrowly escaped death without realizing it.
He scanned his followers, taking deep breaths to calm his racing heart.
But… for a Core Formation cultivator like him, this shouldn’t be happening…
Before he could make sense of it, a thunderous shout infused with spiritual energy echoed from outside:
"The Central Plains’ Demonic Spirit Sect has come to recruit believers! Those who refuse—DIE!"
The Core Formation cultivator’s eyes widened. Everyone knew those words—Li Xingtian’s infamous battle cry had spread fear among demonic cultivators far and wide.
No wonder he’d felt that inexplicable dread earlier. His Core Formation instincts must have sensed the danger and warned him.
How the hell did those murderous bastards find him?!
His mind raced—would he have a better chance of survival if he fled now, or if he dropped to his knees and surrendered instantly?
Before he could decide, an overwhelming wave of bloodlust surged into the cave at terrifying speed.
The Core Formation cultivator’s eyes bulged. Realizing the situation, his legs gave way as he shouted:
"I—I submit—"
BOOM!
A fist blazing with crimson light obliterated his words—along with his skull.
Li Xingtian suddenly appeared in the center of the hall, his crimson gaze sweeping over the remaining demonic cultivators who had yet to grasp the situation. He issued a cold command:
"Kill a batch first."
Li Xingtian had no real intention of building a large force of demonic cultivators—this was merely a mission. Keeping these Golden Core cultivators alive would only invite future trouble, so he only needed ordinary, easily controlled demonic cultivators to maintain the illusion of strength.
That said... even for demonic cultivators, achieving such a pathetic Golden Core was truly a disgrace to the realm.
The First Senior Sister, with her Foundation Establishment cultivation, could probably cut this man down without breaking a sweat.