Central Continent, Ant Ditch.
Dappled sunlight fell like scattered gold upon the open, verdant river surface. Willow tendrils drooped toward the water.
Tiny flying insects drifted across the river like floating snow.
Dong Gua had undergone a complete transformation compared to before.
Her cultivation had reached peak Spirit Transformation, and her right arm now bore the source markings of Xu Linglong's direct lineage.
This meant that Dong Gua, whose cultivation was still somewhat lacking, had become one of Xu Linglong's most trusted confidants in the Demon Court.
The Demon Race revered strength, and those who could climb close to the powerful.
Dong Gua's gaze was sharp, filled with vigor as she surveyed her newly assigned subordinates.
Nascent Soul cultivators were everywhere, and Golden Core ones could be grabbed by the handful.
There were even two Spirit Transformation demonic cultivators.
Though there were still quite a few Foundation Establishment stragglers, at least they were obedient.
Sure enough, the higher one's realm climbed, the more one's companions transformed from walking pigs into actual humans.
At least Dong Gua found them quite easy to command.
Though not as effortless as Cui Hao had it, they were at least far more sincere than he ever was.
The entire team seemed to consist entirely of Cui Hao's people, except for herself and Xi Gua.
This wasn't leading at all—she was merely being pushed onto the stage to play the clown.
Here, though she handled more matters and required greater cunning, at least her subordinates were genuine.
Though the pressure was greater than before, needing to report directly to Xu Linglong.
But life was still far better than before.
She was no longer constantly hunted down, nor deceived by Cui Hao with his schemes.
The worst had been with that worthless Buddha disciple, Wukong—beaten once a day, thrice every three days, while he chanted sutras for spiritual salvation between blows.
Dong Gua had nearly been beaten into mush.
Now, she finally felt genuine happiness.
She had also escaped the ever-present shadow of death, that constant terror of being taken at any moment.
Though Ant Ditch was an insignificant corner of the Central Continent, not just anyone could claim territory there.
Xu Linglong's assignment for Dong Gua was no longer about running some evil cult.
It was about establishing a righteous sect.
The evil cult had been a desperate path taken initially, but a righteous sect was the solid foundation.
Evil cult tasks were handed off to low-level, non-core operatives.
Once caught, the higher-ups would abandon them without hesitation, afraid to be tainted by association.
Dong Gua had once been among those low-level operatives.
But not anymore.
Since Dong Gua's face was essentially wanted throughout the Central Continent, she now operated as a behind-the-scenes controller.
But all of this was still a vision of the future.
Building a righteous sect was slow and required enormous resources.
Clearly, Xu Linglong wasn't some benevolent patron who would cover everything.
So Dong Gua was currently still gathering resources.
The quickest way, naturally, was to first establish an evil cult.
After all, an unscrupulous evil cult could truly turn the world upside down.
And running an evil cult gave Dong Gua a unique advantage—the Evil Spirit Sect.
She had genuine connections with many within the Evil Spirit Sect, having started her career running evil cults herself.
As an undeniable force in the evil cultivation world, Dong Gua could wield their banner without burden.
Whatever trouble arose, the Evil Spirit Sect would claim it.
She could also exchange resources and information with them.
If any good opportunities arose, they could naturally collaborate.
Once she developed the righteous sect in the future, she could use the Evil Spirit Sect's channels for laundering and disposal.
Dong Gua was certainly capable, and after mapping out the entire strategy, she could set her plans on the right track.
Everything was proceeding smoothly in calm waters.
Her small movements in the Central Continent no longer drew the attention of various powers as before.
Now, all eyes were focused on the Western Ox Extinction Continent.
The common belief in the cultivation world was that the Western Ox Extinction Continent's trajectory would shape the future of cultivation itself.
The Western Ox Extinction Continent was under heavy information lockdown. Outside of the Buddhist sect's overt movements, the three great sects kept their information tightly sealed.
To uncover the truth, one naturally had to focus their gaze there.
Dong Gua felt that heaven's timing, geographical advantage, and human harmony were all on her side.
But one thing still puzzled her.
Every time Dong Gua reported her progress to Xu Linglong, Xu Linglong's attitude was utterly indifferent.
As if the task she had personally assigned, the intelligence she had personally requested, was a trivial matter.
She had simply found something to keep Dong Gua busy for now.
But fortunately, Xu Linglong would eventually offer some words of encouragement.
Though it was just empty promises, Dong Gua was more than willing to eat the饼 Xu Linglong drew.
Because the饼 Xu Linglong drew were exceptionally beautiful.
Beautiful enough to make her yearn for them.
Most importantly, Xu Linglong genuinely had the ability to fulfill her promises.
"Master, the seized supplies have been inventoried and sealed in the secret vault."
A Nascent Soul demonic cultivator bowed respectfully before Dong Gua, reporting in a humble tone.
Dong Gua glanced over:
"How is the search for talented disciples going?"
The Nascent Soul demonic cultivator cupped his fists and replied:
"Several have already been found and are being trained."
Dong Gua nodded with satisfaction upon hearing this:
"Train them carefully. Loyalty above all."
The Nascent Soul demonic cultivator hastily responded:
"Your subordinate understands."
Dong Gua waved her hand, signaling the Nascent Soul demonic cultivator to attend to his own matters.
The Nascent Soul demonic cultivator understood perfectly, bowed respectfully, and slowly withdrew.
Dong Gua let out a heavy breath.
There was no use thinking so much about it. Just handle the matters at hand and enjoy this wonderful life.
Dong Gua's gaze swept over the orderly demons working in this small Ant Ditch.
If this kind of life could continue for a long time, it would actually be…
Dong Gua hadn't even finished silently reciting the remaining words in her heart.
She saw a beam of aurora descend from the sky, quickly expanding into a ritual barrier that completely enveloped Ant Ditch.
Then, dozens of rainbow lights converged from all directions.
The momentum was fierce, their strikes fast and ruthless.
Several sharp flashes of cold light eliminated all demonic cultivators not protected by the ritual barrier.
Dong Gua's eyes widened in shock, not yet fully recovering her senses.
Then an incredibly terrifying spiritual force blasted through the entire river of Ant Ditch, revealing the secret realm built beneath the riverbed.
Dozens of Xuanqing Heavenly Sect cultivators at the Spirit Transformation realm descended into the formation.
Flying swords穿梭, techniques soared.
Most Spirit Transformation demons relied on blood essence for cultivation, their foundations naturally unable to compare with the Xuanqing Heavenly Sect cultivators who had been raised with enormous resources.
The situation was nearly one-sided.
Dong Gua believed she had reacted quickly enough to draw her bone sword.
But the moment she drew it.
Everything seemed to settle like dust.
Only the wails of demonic cultivators echoed in Dong Gua's ears.
Dong Gua felt the searing pain of spiritual power being torn apart, the cold lake water on her face contrasting sharply with the warm blood splashing onto her.
Her gaze remained fixed straight ahead, staring at everything before her.
Dong Gua's mind went blank.
It was as if everything were a dream.
She only wanted to wake up now, to escape this terrifying nightmare.
But Dong Gua seemed to have forgotten.
She had never been asleep.
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