Chapter 16: Sheer Torment
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Fang Zhiyi sneered coldly but did not answer the cultivator’s question. Yet her meaning was unmistakably clear: who was he to dare inquire about her true identity? Such audacity was laughable.
The cultivator quickly understood Fang Zhiyi’s implication and hastily said, “I am but a lowly person who failed to recognize a great master. Please spare my life. I swear to reform and never commit such vile acts again.”
Fang Zhiyi snorted coldly and ignored him. Meanwhile, the cultivators surrounding the three were falling one by one at an alarming rate. In a blink, only a handful remained at the entrance of the Douxie Sect.
Sometimes, facing death head-on was far more terrifying than passively awaiting it.
The cultivator standing in the center no longer bore the haughty demeanor he had moments ago. Tears streamed down his deeply lined face, and snot filled the crevices, presenting a pitiful sight.
Fang Zhiyi observed this with disdain. Diverting her gaze, she struck even harder. In no time, only two remained at the Douxie Sect’s gate: the older cultivator and the young one who had spoken to them on the road.
The young cultivator now looked at Wang Lin with the reverence one reserves for a savior, his attitude shifting completely.
Though unaware of Li Muwan’s true strength, he inexplicably believed that since the two shared the same man, their powers must be evenly matched.
The older cultivator was utterly dazed, his eyes wide open but devoid of reason, muttering only three words: “Don’t kill me, don’t kill me.” Clearly, he was terrified out of his wits.
Fang Zhiyi’s heart remained unmoved. With a cold laugh, she waved her hand, leaving the old cultivator with only his lower half.
Though she could have wiped them all out in an instant with her power, she took perverse pleasure in tormenting them.
The young cultivator trembled violently, avoiding Fang Zhiyi’s gaze, clearly terrified, yet he still said, “Kill me if you wish, but I have one request: could you be gentle?”
Having spoken, he shrank his head, too afraid to say more.
Fang Zhiyi spoke slowly, “I won’t kill you. You may leave.”
The young cultivator rejoiced, “Thank you, divine sister. You truly are a goddess descended to earth.”
Fang Zhiyi chuckled twice, “Your thanks are premature.” Her expression instantly turned cold. “Once the Douxie Sect is gone, you’ll have to survive in the Sea of Demonic Cultivation on your own.”
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The four present knew this truth as clearly as looking into a mirror: with his current strength, the young cultivator had no chance of surviving alone in the Sea of Demonic Cultivation.
Even if Fang Zhiyi spared him today, death awaited him inevitably.
The young cultivator made his choice swiftly, wearing a face devoid of hope. “Then it would be better if you kill me, fairy sister. Dying by your hand is far better than being slain by them later.”
Fang Zhiyi ignored him, replying coldly, “None of my concern.”
With that, she turned and left leisurely, followed closely by Wang Lin and Li Muwan. No one paid any mind to the young cultivator anymore.
Such was reality; he was merely a minor episode on their journey to the Sea of Demonic Cultivation, forgotten by all.
No one cared for his life or death—he was no different from those who had just perished.
After the group had gone some distance, Fang Zhiyi looked at Li Muwan, who instinctively understood her intent.
She hurriedly said, “Elder Fang, I will be right back.”
Once Li Muwan departed, Fang Zhiyi’s voice turned cold. “Bring it out.”
Wang Lin was taken aback. “Master, what do you mean?”
“Those I killed just now—where did their souls go?”
Fang Zhiyi’s words struck like a needle. Wang Lin closed his eyes; by the time he realized it, Xu Liguo had already swallowed those souls.
Without hesitation, Wang Lin reached out and summoned Xu Liguo.
Known as the great demon lord who terrified countless souls like mice before a cat, Xu Liguo now did not dare even look at Fang Zhiyi.
Trembling with fear, he said, “Greetings, Master’s teacher... I mean no harm.”
Xu Liguo: “I mean no harm” (said after devouring countless souls).
Fang Zhiyi tilted her head, seemingly contemplating something, then summoned a gigantic beast.
In an instant, the blood-mouthed beast opened its jaws and roared at Wang Lin and Xu Liguo, startling Xu Liguo so much that his entire body began to tremble uncontrollably.
“This is a Nascent Soul stage beast...”
Xu Liguo’s words barely fell before Wang Lin, still in the early stages of forming his core and with limited cultivation time, looked at the beast in surprise. Naturally, he did not know as much as Xu Liguo, which was understandable.
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Fang Zhiyi regarded Xu Liguo with some surprise. “You seem to know everything.”
Praised, Xu Liguo was somewhat overwhelmed. “You flatter me.”
Wang Lin listened with bated breath; he wouldn’t dare respond so casually to Fang Zhiyi, yet Xu Liguo boldly did.
Wang Lin reached out and smacked Xu Liguo on the head. “How dare you disrespect Master?”
Xu Liguo quickly said, “My fault, I won’t dare again.”
Fang Zhiyi looked at him coldly. “Ma Liang, did you forge this beast?”
Wang Lin’s hands, hanging by his sides beneath his sleeves, clenched tightly. It was always like this—always the same. In Fang Zhiyi’s presence, it was as if he had lost his very life.
She always called him Ma Liang. Over time, Wang Lin had almost forgotten what it felt like to be called by his real name.
He explained, “No, Master. He was like this when I met him. I only brainwashed him.”
Before saying this, Wang Lin gestured, but Xu Liguo did not catch the words—only a vague sense that something was amiss.
When he regained full awareness, he heard Fang Zhiyi say simply, “I am not responsible for this.”
“Thank you, Master.”
With that, Fang Zhiyi took Wang Lin and went in search of Li Muwan.
Li Muwan, seeing the two, said nothing and quietly followed behind them.
Fang Zhiyi’s expression was calm. “It’s getting late. It’s time to return.”
“Yes, Master.”
Today’s Sea of Demonic Cultivation felt different—quieter, as if everything was the calm before a storm.
As they neared the edge of the sea, Fang Zhiyi stopped without looking back and said coolly, “Show yourself.”
At her words, Wang Lin’s hand went to the long sword, ready at any moment to draw it and slay whoever might come.