You're being a bit annoying now

Pain, excruciating pain, an indescribable agony.

The torment spread to every corner of her body, from the inside out, from head to toe—even her toenails weren’t spared. The teeth in her mouth, though beyond her control, seemed to tremble under the intensity of the suffering.

Donggua felt herself buried in darkness.

An endless, suffocating sea of blackness drowned her completely.

No struggle was possible. No salvation awaited.

The searing pain felt infinite, unrelenting.

Only one thought remained in Donggua’s mind—death… was truly this terrifying.

That was why she had always wanted to live.

Anyone else could die—just… not her.

She really… didn’t want to die.

Outside Donggua’s body, Xu Linglong watched calmly as the unconscious, half-dead woman became covered in Sovereign Blossoms.

Crimson-black energy unfurled from the flowers, their roots twisting and spreading like they were sucking Donggua’s blood dry, growing ever more grotesquely beautiful.

Bai Bo stood beside Xu Linglong, glancing down at Donggua before speaking up.

"She might not survive this. I’ve seen very few who do."

Xu Linglong remained composed, her tone indifferent.

"Then she dies. Power demands a price. As she is now, she’s too weak to even look at."

Bai Bo said nothing more. Death was, after all, a natural thing.

But then he remembered something and pressed further.

"What about the Buddhist sect? How do we handle them?"

"What we hear isn’t necessarily the truth. Mere words mean nothing without proof." Xu Linglong lifted her gaze toward the Western Continent, her voice icy.

"Even if it’s true, now isn’t the time to tear the mask off completely."

Bai Bo frowned. "So we just let it go?"

Xu Linglong scoffed, amused.

"Do I strike you as someone with such patience?"

Bai Bo’s tone grew slightly impatient.

"That’s why I’m asking—what exactly is your plan?"

Xu Linglong’s smile widened at his irritation.

"Look at you, so worked up."

Bai Bo’s expression smoothed instantly, but he fell silent.

Xu Linglong didn’t press him further. She took a breath and continued.

"Don’t overcomplicate things. Whether Polo betrayed us or not is uncertain, so set it aside. Asking him for support is a separate matter."

Bai Bo frowned. "And if he makes excuses to refuse?"

"Who isn’t struggling?" Xu Linglong pointed at Donggua, still writhing on the ground. "Is she not struggling? Does difficulty absolve responsibility?"

"As long as we make our stance clear and rally the other Heavenly Demons to pressure him, Polo will have no choice but to act—no matter how hard it is for him!"

"At the same time, spread the word—let it be known that a demon now sits among the Buddha’s ranks."

"Why should we be the only ones making waves while he lounges on his throne?"

"Let him go stir trouble for Chu Xingchen. It’s time their side suffered some losses too."

"We’re at a critical juncture here. If he can divert attention for us, all the better. Though it’s also a risk… Next time I see him, I’ll have to thank him properly!"

Bai Bo studied Xu Linglong’s girlish smile, his voice tinged with concern.

"What if Polo accuses us in return?"

"Chu Xingchen’s spies are everywhere. Whether that damned monk is one of ours or not, once he moves, rumors will spread like wildfire." Xu Linglong waved a dismissive hand.

"As long as we deny it, suspicion can fall on anyone. Besides, if he’s joined the Buddhist sect, the burden of explanation lies with him."

"Either way, making Polo sweat a little is good for both sides."

Bai Bo gave a slight nod, agreeing with her plan.

Xu Linglong turned her calm gaze back to Donggua. The Sovereign Blossoms on her body were wilting, and Donggua’s breathing grew weaker. A flicker of disappointment crossed Xu Linglong’s eyes.

She had thought Donggua’s will to survive might be strong enough to endure the bloodline evolution.

But it seemed lowly creatures were simply unreliable.

Xu Linglong shook her head lightly, preparing to leave.

But then—her smile returned.

The Sovereign Blossoms on Donggua withered completely, their petals falling and dissolving into her flesh.

"Haah—!"

Donggua gasped violently, her eyes flying open as the pain vanished, replaced by an overwhelming surge of euphoria.

A strange energy now coursed through her veins—powerful, terrifying.

Her body had grown stronger in countless ways.

Xu Linglong spoke, satisfied.

"Do you like it?"

"I do." Donggua scrambled to her knees, her voice trembling with excitement. "Thank you, Your Eminence."

"This is only the beginning." Xu Linglong’s voice was soft, almost seductive. "There’s more to come—if you prove your worth. I see potential in you. The flower inside you can reach me."

"But remember, I’m a busy woman. Unless it’s something truly important…"

She let the last word hang, trailing off meaningfully.

Donggua understood immediately. "Only Your Eminence’s affairs are important!"

Xu Linglong nodded in approval and gestured lazily.

"Go recover somewhere. Wait for my summons—or for someone to find you."

Donggua rose slowly, keeping her head bowed, not daring to look at the demonic figure beside Xu Linglong.

She turned and shuffled away, still hunched in deference.

Xu Linglong watched her go before turning as well. The grand promises she’d fed Donggua were more than enough—there was nothing left to squeeze from her.

Bai Bo fell into step beside Xu Linglong. "That little demon… weak, but at least she knows her place."

Xu Linglong shook her head.

"Knowing her place isn’t enough. She must also get things done. She’s still lacking."

"Enough about her—just a small fish tossed aside. Let’s go make trouble for Polo."

At this, Bai Bo’s expression brightened with anticipation.

---

Peak of the Loving Family.

Yanyun looked up at the plaque above the gate, inscribed by her master’s own hand. She recalled the radiant, chrysanthemum-like smile on his face as he wrote it.

The older her master grew, the more mischievous he became.

But so be it—as long as he was happy.

Yanyun stepped inside.

Chu Xingchen was already seated on a stone chair, waiting. His usually lively disciples were nowhere to be seen—cleared away, no doubt. Chu Xingchen’s sharp instincts never failed.

Yanyun approached and asked, "You knew I’d come?"

Chu Xingchen idly traced the rim of his teacup. "That monk met someone he shouldn’t have. Xu Linglong dared to visit Donggua while still injured—that alone shows her audacity. She’s a gambler."

"Now that she’s done probing, she’ll make her move. But taking hits passively isn’t her style."

Yanyun stopped across the table, meeting his gaze.

"You’re almost likable when you’re this sharp."

Chu Xingchen’s brows twitched, his voice turning cold.

"What’s that supposed to mean?"

"Literally what it says."

"You're being a bit annoying right now, just so you know."