The Villainous Demon Lord’s Handbook for Success: Rebirth - Chapter 4

Hearing the cries from below the platform, Ning Fuyi raised her eyes. The moment she saw that person, despite the resentment in her heart, she couldn’t help but hold her breath.

The woman stood steadily outside the doors as the wind surged inward, catching the petal-like layers of her hem. The cloak on her shoulders whipped in the air, tangling with strands of her hair. At her waist was the white Feather Rope she had just recalled, cinching her silhouette and adding a touch of softness to her ever-present, majestic aura of an Exalted Goddess.

“Exalted Goddess, Exalted Goddess!” The two men outside still tremulously tried to block her path, but with a mere glance from Chu Qingqiu, their bodies suddenly stiffened, and they fell over like stone statues.

Two loud thuds echoed, making everyone present shudder for a moment.

Realizing she had been staring blankly, Ning Fuyi quickly pinched herself and pulled her gaze away.

No matter how peerless she looks, she is still Chu Qingqiu, the woman whose heart is harder than stone. Ning Fuyi repeated this sentence fiercely to herself twice before she finally regained her composure.

She had already been through hell once; she had no desire to go back.

Mei Chengsi, standing to the side, had clearly not expected Chu Qingqiu to appear here. His gaze shifted back and forth between the Mountain-Opening Stone and Chu Qingqiu. Finally, his beard twitched, and he squeezed out a smile.

“Exalted Goddess Chu Ling, it has been a long time. I was merely disciplining a junior of the sect; please excuse the sight. However, the sect has important business today. I wonder why the Exalted Goddess has come here?” He exchanged hypocritical pleasantries, pretending not to see the two guardians Chu Qingqiu had just struck down.

Chu Qingqiu glanced at him but did not speak. Instead, she walked into the Great Hall with her hands behind her back. The doors slowly swung shut again, finally cutting off the wind.

She walked without a sound, yet every step seemed to throb in sync with everyone’s heartbeat. Among the hundreds of disciples, no one dared to speak; they could only hold their breath and bow their heads.

From the highest heavens to the depths of the underworld, everyone knew that Chu Ling Chu Qingqiu was one of the few rare geniuses in the cultivation world. No one knew her origins; the world only knew that during a war a thousand years ago, she and Sect Leader Ning Changfeng had appeared out of nowhere to eradicate the ancient evil spirits that plagued the world, spirits that even the Penglai Realm had been powerless against.

From then on, her name resounded throughout the Six Realms.

Back then, the four great families and five major sects had all invited the two of them to join their ranks. However, neither of them accepted a single invitation. One went to Yunjia Mountain to establish the Yunjia Mountain Sect, while the other retreated to Zixia Peak, rarely appearing before the world.

Two thousand years had passed since then.

Thus, Chu Qingqiu’s appearance here today was a shock to everyone.

Mei Chengsi received no response. His originally glowing complexion turned several shades paler, but he didn’t dare lose his temper. After a few dry coughs to mask his embarrassment, he asked again, “Exalted Goddess Chu Ling…”

“Why? Is the Immortal Lord not welcoming?” Chu Qingqiu approached the high platform and spoke slowly, interrupting Mei Chengsi.

Mei Chengsi was stunned for a moment before he quickly forced a smile. “Welcome! We are naturally honored by the Exalted Goddess’s presence. However, today is an important day for the sect. May I trouble the Exalted Goddess to wait behind the hall? Once the ceremony concludes, I will host you properly.”

Chu Qingqiu looked up calmly, her face still expressionless. “There is no need for hosting. Changfeng and I have an agreement; there is no place in this sect I cannot go. Therefore, I will not be heading behind the hall.”

“Immortal Lord, please continue.” She raised a hand slightly. As she motioned to Mei Chengsi, a rattan chair appeared behind her, and she sat down properly.

Seen from this close, several more of Mei Chengsi’s beard hairs turned white from anger.

Ning Fuyi smiled with satisfaction.

Although she didn’t know what Chu Qingqiu was up to, this move was beneficial to her. She said nothing more and took the opportunity to step forward, pressing her palm onto the Mountain-Opening Stone.

The Chief Elder let out a gasp. The originally ink-black stone suddenly turned bright red, like a glowing brand. However, a second later, the stone gradually turned gold until it finally emitted a brilliant, radiating golden light that even made the sunlight seem dim.

“How can this be…” the elder said tremulously. At the same time, the others below the platform began to whisper in shock; for a moment, the hall hummed like a beehive.

The rule of the Yunjia Mountain Sect was that after a Sect Leader passed away, only someone recognized by the Mountain-Opening Stone could succeed them. The sign of that recognition was the golden light.

It was common knowledge that Ning Fuyi had mediocre qualifications and no talent, so she definitely wouldn’t be chosen as Sect Leader. Thus, this situation was incredibly bizarre.

Mei Chengsi’s face was now as white as if he had been dead for three days, save for his lips, which were deathly red—he had likely bitten them until they bled out of sheer frustration.

“Uncle Mei’s turn just now should have had the same effect.” Ning Fuyi raised her hand with an innocent expression and turned to smile. “But please don’t misunderstand, Uncle. This disciple isn’t implying you did anything underhanded. It’s also possible that this stone is just getting old and has developed some issues.”

Hearing Ning Fuyi’s sarcasm, Mei Chengsi looked as though he wanted to tear her into a thousand pieces. However, with everyone present—especially Chu Qingqiu sitting below the platform—he didn’t dare move recklessly.

He could only swallow his resentment.

“Let me try,” the elder holding the stone said shakily. He slowly extended a withered hand to touch the surface of the stone, which had returned to black.

Under the burning gazes of the crowd, the stone remained silent for a moment before it once again erupted in brilliant golden light.

The murmurs filled the hall once more. The veins on Mei Chengsi’s hand, which he held behind his back, bulged from the strain. Just as he was about to speak, the female elder who had scolded Ning Fuyi earlier stepped forward and bowed.

“Immortal Lord Mei, by the rules of the Yunjia Mountain Sect, only this stone can decide the candidate for Sect Leader. However, the stone is acting strangely today. We must inspect and repair it before continuing the ceremony. I hope the Immortal Lord understands.”

The woman had a stern, righteous face, wore dark purple robes, and had a circlet of dark ancient silver around her head. She commanded respect without needing to be angry.

“Elder Pingyao.” Mei Chengsi returned the bow without raising his hand and gave a small smile. “Sect Leader Ningtian’s passing was unexpectedly sudden, and the once-in-a-century Zhaoyao Assembly is imminent. If the Yunjia Mountain Sect remains leaderless while the six sects compete, I fear we will suffer.”

“But…” Elder Pingyao tried to speak, but Mei Chengsi cut her off, blocking her words.

“I didn’t want to reveal this, but since the Mountain-Opening Stone has malfunctioned, I must speak for the sake of the sect’s stability.” Mei Chengsi shook his head and opened his right palm. Golden light flickered, and a tortoise shell appeared.

The shell was carved with magnificent golden patterns that didn’t look like ordinary script. Mei Chengsi stepped forward and handed it to Elder Pingyao. She took it skeptically, but after a close look, her eyes widened in shock.

“This is a token from the Penglai Realm.” Elder Pingyao turned and passed the shell to the other elders. Everyone who touched it took on a solemn expression.

Ning Fuyi had no idea Mei Chengsi had such a trump card. She frowned at him, sensing trouble.

Aside from reclusive masters and wandering immortals, the main powers in the cultivation world were the four great families, the six major sects, and the Penglai Realm far across the Eastern Sea. As the oldest immortal mountain, Penglai had been the leader of the immortal world tens of thousands of years ago, though they had largely stayed out of the affairs of the mundane cultivation world since the rise of the great families.

Why were they suddenly interfering in the Yunjia Mountain Sect’s affairs?

The elders looked at one another; for a moment, no one spoke.

“Do the elders have any more instructions?” Seeing that the tortoise shell was effective, Mei Chengsi gave a satisfied smile. “If not, let us delay no longer. Stabilizing the situation is the priority.”

With that, he turned back to the Chief Elder and said deeply, “Elder, let us continue.”

He suddenly reached out to summon the Mountain-Opening Stone before him. It floated in mid-air. He raised his palm, intending to touch it. Ning Fuyi knew she absolutely could not let him succeed. A fierce light flashed in her eyes as she summoned her immortal energy to stop him.

However, before she could take a step, a calm voice came from below the platform, halting her movements.

“Immortal Lord Mei, wait.” Chu Qingqiu, who had been watching from the sidelines, had stood up at some point. Her toes lightly tapped the ground as she drifted onto the platform, standing steadily with her hands behind her back.

“What else does the Exalted Goddess Chu Ling want?” Mei Chengsi clenched his outstretched hand, barely containing his rage as he looked at her. “If the Exalted Goddess has doubts, perhaps you should go to the Penglai Realm to seek clarity.”

“The Immortal Lord jokes. I am not doubting you, I merely have something to announce as well.” There was no emotion in Chu Qingqiu’s expression, but she was so intimidating that no one dared look her in the eye.

She turned her fair hand, and a piece of cloud-silk suddenly appeared in her palm. It bore a few short lines of text and a stamp of a wild, sprawling seal.

That seal was chaotic and unrestrained; one glance told everyone it belonged to Ning Changfeng.

“It’s a handwritten letter from the Sect Leader,” Elder Pingyao said in surprise. The other elders also recognized Ning Changfeng’s handwriting and looked at each other.

“Exalted Goddess, may I have a look?” another white-bearded elder stepped forward cautiously. He took the silk from Chu Qingqiu and examined it closely.

“It is indeed the Sect Leader’s handwriting. It says… she requests Exalted Goddess Chu Ling to take over the Yunjia Mountain Sect.” The elder stroked his beard and turned to look at the others. They were all in a difficult position.

Mei Chengsi was startled. He frowned and said, “The Exalted Goddess has always practiced in seclusion and avoided worldly affairs. Being a Sect Leader is a task that requires great energy. Please reconsider. Furthermore, the intention of the Penglai Realm…”

“This is the Yunjia Mountain Sect, not Penglai,” Chu Qingqiu said flatly. She turned toward the Mountain-Opening Stone, her robes brushing past Ning Fuyi as she left a trail of cold fragrance.

For a moment, Ning Fuyi’s vision blurred.

“I normally dislike having too many affairs to handle, and I don’t wish to make things difficult for you. But since Ning Changfeng entrusted this to me with her life, I cannot refuse. Therefore, I will hold the position of Sect Leader together with you.”

Before Mei Chengsi could speak, she placed her palm on the Mountain-Opening Stone. Golden ancient characters instantly appeared in the air above the stone, as if written by an invisible hand. The ceremony was nearing completion.

Mei Chengsi nearly fainted from rage. However, since Chu Qingqiu had taken the initiative and he didn’t dare resist in public, he was forced to compromise. With a dark expression, he added his own palm and carved his name into the stone before the ceremony finished.

As the final stroke was written, the investiture ceremony ended. The rest of the crowd, intimidated by Chu Qingqiu’s power, didn’t dare say another word.

“Since this matter is settled, I won’t stay any longer. Farewell.”

With that, Chu Qingqiu flew down from the platform and walked through the crowd. The disciples scattered to either side, opening a wide path for her.

The hem of her robes disappeared into the brilliant sunlight outside. Then, with a loud bang, the doors slammed shut.

The previously silent hall finally grew noisy. The disciples, who hadn’t dared to breathe, finally began to chatter.

“I must be dreaming. Exalted Goddess Chu Ling is our Sect Leader now?” someone exclaimed.

“The rumors that she is cold and detached are true. When she passed by, I felt like I was frozen. Look, my palms are still cold,” another said fearfully.

Others gossiped, “The Exalted Goddess actually agreed to the Sect Leader’s request? It seems their relationship was indeed unusual…”

“Shh! Stop talking nonsense!” a man with sharp features scolded, and the commotion in the hall died down slightly.

Ning Fuyi ignored the noise and the fuming Mei Chengsi. She frowned, looking in the direction Chu Qingqiu had left, her mind filled with questions.

In her previous life, she had begged Chu Qingqiu for so long, yet the woman hadn’t even looked at her mother once. What was different in this life? Not only did she appear at the sect, but she even agreed to become Sect Leader?

Could it be… A realization flashed through Ning Fuyi’s mind. Her body moved faster than her thoughts. Ignoring Liu Wenzhu’s shouts, she rushed out of Yunshen Hall at top speed.

“Chu Qingqiu, stop!” Ning Fuyi shouted.

Outside the hall, the long road winded away. At the end stood a figure in pure white, blending into the ink-wash mountains behind her like an immortal in a painting.

Hearing the shout, Chu Qingqiu slowly turned around, standing with her hands behind her back in the daylight.

“Chu Qingqiu, you…”

Ning Fuyi didn’t finish her sentence because her vision suddenly turned pitch black.

A sudden, sharp pain of having all her strength drained tore through her body. Ning Fuyi fell forward uncontrollably. Chu Qingqiu’s frowning face suddenly loomed closer.

Ning Fuyi cursed inwardly. She was the notorious, peerless Demon Lord of the four seas; even if she fell, she had to keep her back straight! She absolutely could not fall at Chu Qingqiu’s feet!

Using the last of her strength, she aggressively lunged forward two more steps.

And slammed right into Chu Qingqiu’s embrace.

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