Chapter 12: The Dark Sect’s Invitation

Shen Mu was so tired.

Every time he thought his life couldn't get any more ridiculous, fate slapped him in the face and said, "Try again."

Now, standing in his courtyard, was a demonic cultivator—a man wrapped in a flowing black robe, his blood-red eyes gleaming with amusement.

His aura was dense, suffocating, like a storm gathering on the horizon. Every cultivator present felt their skin crawl.

Even Bai Ling, usually bold, had taken a careful step back.

Shen Mu, meanwhile, just wanted to run away.

The man in black smirked. "So… you're the legendary Grandmaster Shen Mu."

Shen Mu's eye twitched violently.

'Oh, for the love of—NOT AGAIN.'

Elder Zhao narrowed his eyes. "And who might you be?"

The demonic cultivator let out a low chuckle.

"The world knows me as Hei Mo, Elder of the Nightshade Sect."

A wave of murderous intent rippled through the air at the mention of his name.

Bai Ling gasped. "The Nightshade Sect…?! That's one of the strongest demonic sects in the world!"

Elder Zhao's face darkened. "A sect known for stealing souls and refining them into dark artifacts…"

Xiao Lan, trembling, whispered, "Why would someone like that… come here?"

Hei Mo's blood-red gaze locked onto Shen Mu.

"…I came to make an offer."

Shen Mu frowned. "An offer?"

Hei Mo smirked. "Indeed. The righteous sects seek to worship you, but my people…?"

His lips curled further.

"We see the truth."

Shen Mu blinked. "The… truth?"

Hei Mo took a step forward, and the entire courtyard darkened.

"The Dao you follow…" his voice was almost reverent, "…transcends the feeble balance of light and dark."

Shen Mu's brain malfunctioned.

'The what? My Dao?!'

Hei Mo's eyes gleamed. "You do not confine yourself to the rules of heaven, nor do you limit yourself to the laws of the mortal realm. You shape existence as you please. A mere wooden chair? Enlightenment. A broken stool? Immortal Ascension. A simple carving? A new Dao is born."

The surrounding cultivators shuddered.

Elder Zhao broke into a cold sweat.

Bai Ling's breath hitched. "W-When you put it like that…"

Shen Mu internally screamed.

'NO! STOP MAKING IT SOUND LIKE THAT! I WAS JUST FIXING FURNITURE!'

Hei Mo took another step forward. "You are beyond the rules of this world. That is why… I invite you to join the Nightshade Sect."

The courtyard fell silent.

Xiao Lan gasped.

Bai Ling's eyes widened. "He wants Senior Shen to join… a demonic sect?!"

Elder Zhao gritted his teeth. "Blasphemy!"

Hei Mo ignored them, his gaze locked onto Shen Mu. "Unlike these fools, we will not beg for your favor. We will follow you."

He knelt in the courtyard, one fist pressed against the ground.

"I, Hei Mo, pledge my loyalty to you."

Shen Mu's soul left his body.

'WHAT. THE. ACTUAL. HELL.'

---

Meanwhile, Across the Cultivation World…

A storm was brewing.

News of Shen Mu's "teachings" had spread like wildfire.

In the Heavenly Fire Sect, a group of disciples sat in front of a wooden duck replica, trying to comprehend its wisdom.

In the Cloud Mist Temple, monks debated the meaning of Shen Mu's words.

In the Blazing Sun Sect, Elder Huo's carved duck had been placed in the sect's treasury.

And deep within the Celestial Realm, Empress Yue sat in quiet contemplation.

Her silver eyes flickered as she whispered, "…Who are you, Shen Mu?"

---

Back at the Workshop…

Shen Mu could not take this anymore.

He needed to escape.

Now.

"Alright," he said, forcing a smile. "It's been a long day, so I think we should—"

BOOM!

A powerful shockwave suddenly erupted from the sky, splitting the clouds apart.

The air rumbled, and a golden light descended from above.

Shen Mu froze.

Bai Ling stiffened. "T-This presence…!"

Elder Zhao gasped. "It… can't be…!"

A woman in golden robes appeared, her aura vast and limitless, radiating divine authority.

It was as if heaven itself had arrived.

Shen Mu's blood ran cold.

Hei Mo, still kneeling, looked up and narrowed his eyes. "So… even she has come."

Shen Mu's hands shook. "Who the hell is this?!"

Bai Ling whispered, her voice trembling.

"…The Saintess of the Celestial Jade Pavilion."

Shen Mu's soul left his body.

'AGAIN?! ANOTHER POWERFUL PERSON?!'

The Saintess slowly descended, her golden robes flowing like mist.

Then, with a calm, graceful movement—

She knelt before Shen Mu.

"Master Shen," she said, her voice soft yet filled with power. "I have come… to become your disciple."

Shen Mu almost passed out.

This was it.

He had lost.

The world had completely lost its mind.

---

End of Chapter 12