Demon Cultivator

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**Taiyue Mountains.**

Qi Yuan lingered near the entrance, patiently waiting. Soon, he spotted Han Li emerging from Wanbao Tower.

Before Han Li had entered, Qi Yuan had already sensed him, his keen intuition confirming that the cloaked figure was indeed Han Li.

To uncover where Chen Qiaoqian had encountered him, Qi Yuan decided to tail Han Li. The original novel had been vague about the exact location, and Qi Yuan had no desire to waste time searching blindly. With his superior cultivation and mastery of the Shadowless Heart Technique, Han Li wouldn't even realize he was being followed.

---

**Three nights later.**

Perched midway up a hillside, Qi Yuan concealed himself among the dense ancient trees, his figure blending seamlessly into the darkness.

Below, a cave lay hidden behind a barrier of rocks. Inside, Han Li remained in quiet seclusion.

The scene felt familiar. This must be the moment Chen Qiaoqian and Senior Brother Lu's confrontation unfolded.

For the sake of fate and fortune, Qi Yuan didn't mind playing the role of an unexpected savior. A chance encounter with beauty could prove advantageous.

Han Li sought escape from worldly affairs, severing ties that might hinder his path.

Qi Yuan, on the other hand, thrived in the chaos, reveling in the mysteries of cultivation and the pleasures of life. Different paths, but the same goal—Longevity.

As for the Heavenly Thunder Seeds, Qi Yuan had cultivated three within his Chaos Cauldron, adding to the one he already possessed. With four in total, he had considerable power at his disposal. However, the cauldron's energy had run dry, and the gold brick talisman could no longer be replicated. Perhaps Chen Qiaoqian would play a crucial role in replenishing these resources.

---

A sudden gust of wind carried the silhouette of a young woman to the ground. Her face burned with resentment, her eyes filled with desperation. A flush of pink spread across her neck—evidence of an unnatural affliction.

"Junior Sister, you consumed my Hehuan Pill and used your magic power to flee. By now, the medicine has seeped into your very bones. This place is remote and isolated—why not accept fate? My benefactor will be here soon, and then things will be much easier."

A young man slowly descended from the sky, his tone brimming with confidence and malice.

Qi Yuan watched from the shadows, his spirit rope poised for action.

So this was Senior Brother Lu and Chen Qiaoqian. Yet, something was different. Had Dong Xuan'er's prolonged retreat altered the course of events?

"Shameless!" Chen Qiaoqian spat, her fury shaking her weakened frame. "You would sacrifice me for your own gain? I was blind to trust a beast in human clothing like you!"

Her rage burned hot, but her body betrayed her. The effects of the pill drained her strength, and she clung to a nearby tree to stay upright. Fleeing was impossible.

**Death was preferable to disgrace.**

Senior Brother Lu sneered. "Once my benefactor is satisfied, I'll take your storage bag. If the Hehuan Pill's effects remain, I might as well enjoy you myself before sending you on your way."

Qi Yuan's gaze darkened. Without Dong Xuan'er as an obstacle, was Senior Brother Lu now resorting to other means to amass wealth?

Chen Qiaoqian trembled as Lu approached. She could barely stand, let alone defend herself.

She would rather die than suffer his humiliation.

Seeing her resolve, Senior Brother Lu's expression twisted. "Bitch, you think you can escape?"

He unleashed a burst of magical energy to restrain her—

But before he could act, a streak of white light shot from the darkness, coiling around him.

The spirit rope tightened, binding his limbs and sealing his magic. His confidence shattered, his eyes widened in shock.

"Who dares interfere with my plans?!"

Stunned, Lu struggled against the rope, but it was futile.

Qi Yuan leaped from his hiding spot, landing gracefully beside Chen Qiaoqian. With one hand, he steadied her trembling form. With the other, he retrieved a vial of Qingling Powder, feeding it to her gently.

She needed to witness what would come next.

Without an audience, what was the point of a grand performance?

---

In the depths of the cave, Han Li stirred from his rest. The commotion outside had roused him. Silently, he crept to the entrance and took in the scene before him.

**The same man who had bumped into him days prior?**

Intrigued, Han Li's gaze lingered on the spirit rope. **A magic tool capable of suppressing a cultivator's power? Impressive.**

Meanwhile, Qi Yuan wasted no time. He flicked his wrist, summoning a divine bead. It embedded itself into Lu's body, its poison swiftly seeping into his veins.

No need to dirty his own hands.

Chen Qiaoqian, still weak from the pill's effects, gazed up at her unexpected savior. Her thoughts swirled in confusion.

**He saved me.**

**His appearance is pleasing.**

**Perhaps giving myself to him wouldn't be so bad.**

Would he take responsibility?

Unaware of her thoughts, Qi Yuan focused on securing the spirit rope and looting Lu's storage bag. Just as he turned, his senses sharpened.

A shadow moved in the distance.

"Since you're here," Qi Yuan called out, his tone casual yet firm, "why not step forward and chat?"

A lazy chuckle echoed from the trees. A man emerged, his presence oppressive.

His face bore intricate patterns, his lips black, his eyes lined with thick kohl. Purple hair cascaded past his shoulders, and his robes carried an unfamiliar insignia.

But Qi Yuan's attention was drawn elsewhere—

**The man's aura exceeded the Qi Training stage.**

**A Foundation Establishment cultivator.**

Qi Yuan's grip on Chen Qiaoqian tightened. Stealthily, he slipped a Heavenly Thunder Seed into his palm.

"You don't dress like a cultivator of Yue Country," he observed. "You must be from the Demonic Path."

Chen Qiaoqian gasped. A Foundation Establishment demonic cultivator? What had Lu gotten involved in?

Whispering, she pleaded, "Senior Brother, you must escape. I'll hold him off as long as I can."

Trapped, betrayed, and now facing an even greater threat, Chen Qiaoqian's emotions churned. She knew only one of them had a chance at survival.

Qi Yuan's heart stirred at her selflessness. Sliding his hand gently around her waist, he offered silent reassurance.

Hidden in the darkness, Han Li's frown deepened.

**This situation was growing dangerous.**

Just as he stepped back, a voice called out—

"Another one lurking in the shadows? We'll deal with you soon enough."

The demonic cultivator's lips curled into a smirk.

**The hunt had begun.**

*************End Of Chapter*************