Although that was the case, the control over the slave mark wasn’t in the hands of her as the Young Lord of Jade Ecstasy Palace. She had to consult her master in the Demon Domain.
Considering the current tight situation, the player asked her Dao Sect master to stand guard for her before carefully taking out the messaging mirror and placing it on the table.
After a moment, the spirit message connected. The girl leaned over the edge of the table and whispered softly to the Jade Joy Palace Lord on the other side, “Master, a small problem has come up.”
The Jade Joy Palace Lord replied, “Mm?”
Li Yin explained the situation honestly. She only heard her master chuckle lightly.
“Expose you? If he truly harbored disloyal thoughts and dared to reveal it to others, the moment he opened his mouth would be his end.” The Jade Joy Palace Lord didn’t take it seriously. “At most, he can only beat around the bush and cause you some minor trouble.”
As for those troubles, they were nothing more than tests and training for the Young Lord.
“The Dao cultivators value gentlemanly revenge even after ten years, willingly becoming slaves for the sake of cultivation and ascension. If he were truly some upright and unyielding gentleman, he would have killed himself a hundred years ago. Why wait until now to make a show of fighting to the death?”
Her master’s tone was light and airy, which helped Li Yin relax as well. She sat up straight, propping her cheek as she gazed into the mirror.
“So now, should I release him or keep him around?”
If the player had to say, with that suspicious poison husband lurking about, she worried that Ji Little Dao Lord might link up with him. It might be better to release both of them.
But the Jade Joy Palace Lord asked in surprise, “That shouldn’t be… He actually had the heart to expose you? The heart to betray you?”
Her little disciple was anything but ordinary. Everyone who saw her liked her, especially those men.
“By rights, with your abilities, those two informants would draw close to you. As long as they made a little contact, they would discover your identity. And with the slave mark as insurance, they couldn’t harm you…”
What the Jade Joy Palace Lord didn’t say was that once those two informants suddenly realized the woman they liked was a demonic cultivator of the Joyous Union Dao, they would inevitably struggle with it—after all, they would have to share her with other men in the future.
But no matter how much they struggled, that was their own affair—
Whether to choose the person they liked or cling to their so-called pride.
They just needed to figure it out themselves. It wouldn’t reach the master’s ears; instead, it would be their chance to perform well.
So she had simply told the two informants, “Once they meet her, they will willingly become her cauldrons.” After all, her little disciple’s max-level charm made it inevitable sooner or later.
Following the question her master raised, Li Yin pondered it for a bit.
With max-level charm right there, she realized that Ji Little Dao Lord’s repeated approaches to her were probably born of both suspicion and affection.
Looking back on their first meeting, his sudden closeness and probing now seemed rather intriguing.
He must have developed feelings for her but was also overly suspicious, worried about becoming a cauldron for a demonic cultivator. Caught between those two pulls, he had no choice but to test her identity multiple times to confirm she wasn’t the Young Lord her master had mentioned.
Just as she figured it out, her master had already let out a humming laugh.
“Just wait for him to regret it. When the time comes, you might even be able to properly train him and make him more obedient.”
Her master’s suggestion to grant the informant’s wish made sense, but there were actually other ways to play this… no, other solutions—
For example, the player could directly reveal herself as the Young Lord in front of Ji Little Dao Lord. Perhaps then he wouldn’t make a fuss… and would only start competing instead.
Or, the player could keep her identity as Young Lord hidden. That youth would definitely come looking for her again, and she could easily toy with him in the palm of her hand…
While the player was lost in contemplation and hesitation, the Jade Joy Palace Lord’s tone carried a smile. “How about it? Do you have other ideas?”
Li Yin finally made up her mind and smiled brightly. “Master, you’re right. Let’s remove his slave mark first and release him.”
“Good.” The woman chuckled lightly. “I’ll send a protector to deliver the item for removing the slave mark. Give me a location—you don’t need to show your face. Let that Ji fellow pick it up himself.”
Li Yin nodded, and the woman continued, “His master is guarding Northern Delusion City and has killed quite a few people lately. He’s at the height of his power. If you can train this dog well, there should be plenty of uses for him in the future.”
Ignoring a certain ex, Li Yin asked curiously, “Will the protector make it there safely? Isn’t it risky for a demonic cultivator to come to the Cultivation World?”
Her little disciple sounded worried, so her master reassured her. “No worries. The protector is quite capable. You just focus on protecting yourself. Also, it’s best if you don’t return to the Demon Domain before reaching body integration.”
Li Yin asked in confusion why.
The Jade Joy Palace Lord explained, “Dao cultivators still uphold gentlemanly conduct, so your abilities are actually a burden in the Demon Domain. Those old demons don’t care about any gentlemanly morals—they use all sorts of forceful seizure tactics. That’s why I had you cultivate in Dao Sect territory.”
So it was a hotbed for plunder and coercion.
The experienced player summed it up that way in her mind.
“Moreover, there’s been unrest in the Demon Domain lately. You’re safer in the Cultivation World, staying inside your sect. Don’t go wandering for now.”
But she was already out wandering.
Li Yin glanced at Elder Yaoguang standing guard outside the door and figured it should be fine with him there.
The conversation quickly circled back. Li Yin asked her Yaoguang Master about a nearby place where she could store something.
Yao Guanheng sent a transmission: 【There are many market shops near Pill Cauldron Sect. Some offer storage services.】
Li Yin picked one from the bunch and told the Jade Joy Palace Lord the location.
The woman paused. “You’re near Pill Cauldron Sect right now?”
“Yes, what’s wrong, Master?”
She suddenly laughed a few times. “No wonder… No surprise there. As expected of my disciple.”
Li Yin instantly realized it was about the rumors of Elder Fu being supplemented by a demonic cultivator. She hadn’t expected the news to reach even the Jade Ecstasy Palace Lord’s ears.
Elder Fu’s innocence was thoroughly ruined now.
She said obediently, “How did you know it was me, Master?”
“Your master’s intuition has always been spot on.” The Jade Joy Palace Lord’s tone was delighted.
“One of the joys of being a demonic cultivator is watching the spectacle of those gentlemen and false gentlemen. Humiliating a pure and upright Dao Sect elder is an especially rare treat.”
Her master was imparting some strange knowledge, and Li Yin listened attentively.
In the game, due to the Dao-demon opposition setting, drawing a demonic cultivator identity meant everyone hunted you down.
There were only two demonic cultivator paths: loose demonic cultivators or the Jade Ecstasy Palace faction—about as monotonous as the outer sea’s single Dragon Clan. But after transmigrating, things were different.
Over these past days, she had clearly realized that this world had spawned many things absent from the game.
Her master had once mentioned the Demon Domain’s three sects and nine cities, but at the time, her mind was full of that Demon Venerable ex, so she hadn’t paid attention. Now she was curious.
However, Li Yin suddenly thought that her Young Lord identity was game-generated. In the Jade Joy Palace Lord’s perception, should she even know those Demon Domain basics?
While she hesitated, the Jade Joy Palace Lord moved on to other matters. “You supplemented Li Chengfeng earlier. That kid looked pretty pissed off. I heard from my subordinates that his twin brother even came to probe our sect’s elders indirectly about you.”
At those words, Li Yin’s heart leaped into her throat.
Fortunately, her master suggested, “You shouldn’t show your face in public for a while. Whether demonic cultivators or Dao cultivators, the rumors are flying everywhere. The demonic cultivators are probably looking for you, and so are the Dao cultivators.”
The player mentally counted on her fingers inside. Seemed like too many people were after her.
“…In any case, the protector is already on the way there. Once the removal is complete and the heat dies down, you can act again.”
Her master finished her instructions, and Li Yin deeply agreed.
The spirit message ended. She put away the messaging mirror and flopped onto the table, hugging her head with a troubled expression.
Seeing the conversation end, Yao Guanheng finally rose and entered.
Her little disciple called out weakly, “Master.”
“What’s wrong?” The gentle master walked over, sat beside her, and brushed the hair from her ear.
Li Yin glanced sideways at him and suddenly asked, “The Demon Domain’s three sects and nine cities—how much do you know about them, Master? And the Demon Venerable… I haven’t even seen the Demon Venerable.”
In the end, her identity as the Young Lord of Jade Ecstasy Palace was her biggest reliance right now. It never hurt to be cautious.
With so many sides hunting her, under that pressure, the “player”—or rather, “Li Yin”—was starting to care a little about this world.
Her question was a bit odd. Yao Guanheng hesitated slightly before answering, “The Demon Domain is different from the Dao Sect. The three sects refer to Calamity Birth Mansion, Jade Ecstasy Palace, and Ferocious Nether Pavilion, along with the nine cities. All are forces loyal to the Demon Venerable.”
“Calamity Birth Mansion and Ferocious Nether Pavilion? How do they compare to Jade Ecstasy Palace?”
The girl rolled sideways from beside him right into her beautiful master’s arms, waiting for his answer.
“Different paths.” Yao Guanheng adjusted his posture slightly to let her lean comfortably. “Calamity Birth Mansion uses bizarre and vicious methods, including the blood food cultivation method and raising fiends. Ferocious Nether Pavilion is relatively low-key, excelling in assassination and stealth—coming and going like ghosts.”
Based on what the Jade Joy Palace Lord had said earlier, Li Yin mentally ranked them: Calamity Birth Mansion first, then Jade Ecstasy Palace, and finally Ferocious Nether Pavilion.
“So what’s the deal with the nine cities?”
It was clear the girl in his arms was the demonic cultivator, yet Yao Guanheng, a Dao Sect elder, was explaining the Demon Domain to the little demonic cultivator in his embrace.
He shook his head helplessly and said warmly, “The nine cities aren’t anything special. Generally, the city lords are at demon lord realm, with generals, retainers, and advisors below them.”
“Sounds pretty impressive.” The girl was puzzled. “Can that so-called Demon Venerable really control all those people?”
In her ninth save file, the player’s interactions with the amnesiac Demon Venerable had been rather tender.
But then Li Yin thought that when he regained his memories, he had indeed acted like a domineering demon lord.
“The Demon Venerable… has unique methods. Though he’s currently dormant, he possesses a special exotic treasure. All demonic cultivators must obey his summons.”
After Yao Guanheng finished, he noticed the girl in his arms swallow lightly.
The little demonic cultivator was afraid.
Especially after making an enemy of the Demon Venerable’s past incarnation—that terrified the player.
Li Yin vaguely recalled what the Jade Joy Palace Lord had said: “If he has the ability, let him stay asleep forever.” Best if he never woke up!
Her fear was perfectly normal. No one would ever guess she had been married to the Demon Venerable.
Seeing her little disciple’s frightened look, Yao Guanheng chuckled softly. The girl in his arms sat up and threw herself back into his embrace to calm herself.
Once calmed, Li Yin sent him a transmission. Once the Jade Ecstasy Palace protector delivered the item to remove the slave mark, she asked him to pass the message on to Ji Little Dao Lord.
And…
The girl lay on her master’s body, propping herself up on his chest. She suddenly whispered softly.
【Have him swear a heart demon oath.】
She lowered her gaze and instructed calmly: 【Since we’ve agreed to help him remove the slave mark, he naturally has to make a guarantee—not to reveal my whereabouts to outsiders.】
These days hiding by her master’s side, she had been reading and studying.
A heart demon oath was a method cultivators used to make promises. Swearing on one’s heart demon, witnessed by the Heavenly Dao—if broken, heart demons would plague them, hindering advancement. It was the most solemn vow among cultivators.
Yao Guanheng’s expression stiffened slightly. The girl’s eyes curved into a smile. “Master, did I learn that right? Is that how a heart demon oath works?”
“…Yes.” Yao Guanheng answered slowly.
With the important matters arranged, Li Yin reviewed the Jade Ecstasy Palace Lord’s instructions again. From her words, there was unrest in the Demon Domain that might spill over into the Cultivation World.
She took stock of her self-defense means: magic artifacts, talismans, and pills; movement techniques, Hidden Sword Nine Styles, Meridian Acupoint Spectrum, props, and skills from beast taming and sword qi.
Not long after chatting with the Jade Joy Palace Lord, news of anomalies at the Dao-demon border reached Pill Cauldron Sect. The lockdown wasn’t lifted; instead, security tightened. It seemed the entire Pill Assembly would end under lockdown.
On top of that, there were those demonic cultivators and Dao cultivators hunting her…
The player even glimpsed occasional purple butterflies fluttering by outside. No surprise, they reminded her of that poison husband.
But these days, she had stayed glued to her master’s side, never going out. Her master had also set up a water mist barrier—perfectly safe. When bored, she had her master for company. Her situation wasn’t dangerous.
Once the Jade Ecstasy Palace protector delivered the item to remove the slave mark and she received word, the player quickly had her master set off.
Yao Guanheng conveyed the Young Lord’s demands to Ji Lingyao.
“A heart demon oath?” The youth tugged at the corner of his mouth. “Even demonic cultivators care about heart demon oaths?”
Heart demon oaths were something only Dao cultivators valued. Demonic cultivators treated oaths like air—with their temperament, they didn’t care about heart demons. If things went wrong, this deal would leave him unilaterally constrained.
“Yes, this is the Young Lord’s instruction. Since we’ve agreed to help you remove the slave mark, you naturally have to make a guarantee—not to reveal the Young Lord’s whereabouts to outsiders.”
“Interesting. I’m not one of those demonic cultivators who break their word.” Ji Lingyao laughed, a ruthless decisiveness in his demeanor as he swore the oath first.
Only after confirming the oath was in place did Yao Guanheng tell him the location.
As a Dao Sect elder running errands for the Demon Domain’s Young Lord, the man still maintained his gentle demeanor, with no trace of conflict in his brows.
Ji Lingyao smiled, but his opening words carried a cold jab. “Elder Yaoguang, you passed along the message quite nicely. From now on, you’ll get to enjoy the Young Lord’s exclusive favor all to yourself. You must be thrilled.”
The Dao Sect elder in blue robes wasn’t angry at all. Instead, he gave a gentle smile, appearing all the more warm and jade-like.
He even showed a hint of magnanimity. Suddenly, he lifted a hand to smooth his collar, as if tidying the fabric. But in the process, he accidentally parted his collar just a bit.
On the man’s jade-white neck, a red mark seemed to flash by, but he quickly covered it up.
“Then, I wish Ji Little Dao Lord success in getting what you desire.” Yao Guanheng withdrew his hand and spoke warmly.
Though the gray-eyed youth hadn’t gotten a clear look at the mark on him, he inexplicably found this posture of his quite grating.
Ji Lingyao quickly brushed aside that odd feeling and took his leave.
For this Pill Assembly, his sect had tasked him with leading disciples on a training expedition. Now that the mission was nearly complete, he had also obtained the item to remove the slave mark.
The youth hurried back to his quiet chamber. First, he carefully inspected the item. The liquid in the jade vial was colorless and odorless. It contained neither spiritual qi nor demonic qi. Whether it could truly remove the slave mark would only be known after testing.
He undid his upper robes. His lower dantian was smooth and flawless, marked only by the clear lines of his muscles—nothing else.
When he poured the liquid from the jade vial onto it, the mark flickered in and out in an instant. It recreated the searing agony from when it had first been branded onto him.
A hundred years ago, during the Dao-Demon War, the defeated had been taken prisoner, branded with marks, and released back into the Dao Sect. It was the utmost humiliation.
The youth didn’t make a sound. He simply watched with a blank expression and sunken gray eyes until thin threads of the slave mark peeled away from his body one by one, dissolving into gray ash.
Only then did he raise his hand and press his palm down with a light touch, confirming that he had regained his freedom.
Clean and pure, inside and out.
He could finally go find Little Junior Sister.