Chapter 0: Heavenly Person’s Visage
In a single moment, years of deeply buried psychological trauma erupted. Tang Simin, like a rabbit cowering before its natural predator, froze completely in place, her eyes wide with terror, daring not to move a single fraction.
What had that little girl, who called herself Qiao’er, just said? That her godfather was the best person in the world? Kind-hearted, eradicating demons and defending the righteous? Could this truly be describing the fearsome Purple Extreme Demon Lord? Even a child’s innocent words shouldn’t be so outrageously absurd.
“Godfather!”
Seeing Zhao Xinting return, Yan Qiaoyun’s face lit up with joy. “Did you say hello to my uncle for Qiao’er for me?”
“Of course.”
Zhao Xinting’s cold demeanor melted away like ice and snow, replaced by a gentle smile.
This scene made Tang Simin unable to believe her own eyes. So, a Demon Lord of his generation could also smile so tenderly?
At this moment, Zhao Xinting also noticed Tang Simin beside him. With a gaze as calm as an ancient well, he glanced at her and asked, “Judging by the Saint Aunt’s realm, are you the sect leader here?”
Tang Simin’s expression was incredulous. “Cult Master Zhao, you don’t remember me?”
Zhao Xinting’s eyes held a flicker of surprise. “We’ve crossed paths before?”
“Indeed,” Tang Simin replied, her eyes dimming as she offered a bitter smile. “This nun is Miaoyin from Fusheng Nunn. I once fell to Cult Master Zhao’s might, but for various reasons, Cult Master Zhao decided to spare my life that day.”
“No need for thanks,” Zhao Xinting nodded nonchalantly.
Then, he slowly bent down and asked Yan Qiaoyun, “Qiao’er, can you tell your godfather what you were just chatting about with this beautiful Saint Aunt?”
“Nothing much, mainly the abbess was worried that Qiao’er might not be safe alone, so she deliberately stayed with me,” Yan Qiaoyun replied in a soft, sweet voice.
Tang Simin’s expression startled. She had never explicitly stated her intentions, yet this young girl could so easily discern her true meaning.
“That’s good. Qiao’er, wait patiently for a moment, your godfather will be there soon.”
“Mhm,” Yan Qiaoyun responded and walked towards the shaded area under a large tree nearby.
Only then did Zhao Xinting look at Tang Simin and say, “Saint Aunt, you likely have many questions?”
Tang Simin hesitated for a moment before feigning calmness. “I don’t know. Is Cult Master Zhao here for Master Qin? Although this nun is no match for Cult Master Zhao, unless Master Qin personally agrees, I will not let you forcibly abduct Master Qin, even if it costs me my life.”
Zhao Xinting narrowed his eyes slightly. “Let’s change the subject. This matter has nothing to do with the Saint Aunt.”
Tang Simin’s shoulders trembled, and she sighed. “It seems that whether it was then or now, Cult Master Zhao has never truly taken this nun seriously.”
“Then let me ask. Did the Saint Aunt provoke this seat back then? Do you remember why this seat didn’t take your life?” Zhao Xinting asked with a chuckle.
“Indeed, I made the first move. As for the reason, it’s meaningless now… And the reason Cult Master Zhao spared me was simply that the wind and snow were beautiful that day. The snowscape of Chu Zhou was something Cult Master’s esteemed master, Qin Gou, cherished. You said you didn’t want my blood to stain the snow of Chu Zhou.”
Tang Simin lowered her eyes, speaking listlessly.
“Hahaha, I didn’t realize I was quite the show-off back then,” Zhao Xinting laughed heartily.
Tang Simin looked puzzled. “What does Cult Master Zhao mean?”
“What I told you back then was clearly not the main reason. Chu Zhou is so vast; what my master cherished was only Purple Ridge Arc Moon Mountain.” Zhao Xinting clasped his hands behind his back, first looking up at the rising sun, then suddenly meeting Tang Simin’s gaze with a slight smile. “I didn’t spare many people back then. If I really count, the true reason could only be… I like the Saint Aunt!”
For a moment, Tang Simin’s expression changed, and she gritted her teeth. “Demon Lord, do not deliberately insult this nun!”
“How could I be so bored? I’m just speaking the truth. It’s the same reason for the bear in the Wither and Flourish Dense Forest, and the Blood Crocodile of the Sea Race…” Zhao Xinting said with a helpless chuckle, spreading his hands.
Tang Simin took a deep breath. Perhaps the Demon Lord’s so-called liking was merely considering her a plaything, like wild beasts.
“Moreover, recalling this now, I remember. You should be called Tang Simin!” As he spoke, Zhao Xinting examined her up and down, shaking his head with a sigh of regret. “Saint Aunt, you looked better when you had hair.”
Tang Simin’s eyes trembled, her face flushing red. “That was just my disguise back then. How could Cult Master Zhao not see through it?”
“Then can you disguise yourself again for this seat to see, hmm?” Zhao Xinting’s clear eyes sparkled, and a smile that held the beauty of spring flowers and autumn moon bloomed. Even with a heart devoted to the ancient lamp and Buddhist scriptures, it would stir earthly desires.
Tang Simin truly couldn’t fathom the Demon Lord’s intentions. She abruptly retreated several steps, no longer caring about anything else. With a mixture of shame and anger, she flicked her sleeve and fled.
However, it was undeniable that the events of today would be more deeply etched in her memory than being cast down to dust by Zhao Xinting back then.
“Godfather, why did the abbess leave in such a hurry?”
“Didn’t I tell you? Any Dharma Aspect True Person will be scared away when they see your godfather.”
“Then why did you chat with the abbess for so long? And Qiao’er felt like godfather seemed very happy just now.”
“Because Saint Aunt looks so much like a blind older sister I knew before I became a disciple. Her appearance, her voice, they’re about seventy percent similar… Unfortunately, it can’t be her.”
“Why?”
“I buried her with my own hands.”
…
“Zhao Xin, Zhao Xinting. Just one word difference, how can the gap between people be so vast?!” Tang Simin, floating through the air, had a flushed face, her fingers constantly twirling smooth Buddhist beads, calming her mind.
…
“Boss, why are you scolding me?” Mo Qingxin said aggrievedly.
Qin Gou’s nose was almost twisted with anger, and he gritted his teeth. “Who told you that only women can topple nations and cities in this world? That Han Zigao… Never mind, you’ve definitely never heard of him.”
“Then tell me, Boss, what huge changes occur when the person suspected of possessing the talent for soul absorption into the body summons their Natal Spirit Tool?” Mo Qingxin asked.
“What other changes could there be? They just turn into a woman, right?”
“No, it’s not that simple. If it’s a misunderstanding, then this person is deliberately suppressing the power of soul absorption. Otherwise, when they completely transform into the Violet Soul Jade Body, their appearance and figure will become the true visage of a heavenly person, like the Gu She goddesses, their every frown and smile captivating all beings!” Mo Qingxin’s eyes held a hint of envy. “If only this talent could be bestowed upon myself.”
“That’s unlikely,” Qin Gou said with a strange expression.
“It’s true. Besides the early days of the Little Profound Realm when I could still influence the will of the laws a little, I haven’t been able to since…”
“No, what I mean is, he probably can’t become any more beautiful.”
Even as he is now, the dignified Purple Extreme Demon Lord is already an unparalleled beauty in the Cultivation World. If he were to gain even more immortal grace, Qin Gou genuinely feared that Little Zhao might just kill himself with a single palm strike and completely remold himself.
