Becoming evil makes you ten times stronger, but becoming a demon gives you hundredfold strength

In the cave dwelling, Hua Miaochai looked at Meng Yu with pitiable eyes and shrank into the corner.

She was afraid Meng Yu would hit her.

Being hit was very painful, especially in her heart; it proved she had done something wrong, like the time Bai Qianqian had hit her several times, crying in anger while scolding her for being so stupid and foolish!

"You actually followed a flower demon you've only known for a few days, aren't you afraid of being eaten by others!"

"You see someone pitiful and you save them, do you know the consequences?"

"Look, if I hadn't come quickly, you would have already become a thesis defense!"

Flower demons mature slowly, and being raised by Bai Qianqian, a severe beating wasn't scary, but the terrible things that happened made her become a homebody.

Meng Yu stared hard at Hua Miaochai for several minutes, making her heart pound erratically.

Today, Meng Yu's scolding was actually not wrong; that is, if she had followed the rules and not attended the gathering on her own but remained at the array's control point, the incident with Song Wuqiu wouldn't have happened, as Meng Yu had repeatedly emphasized the rule that six people must not be present at the same time.

"Do you still remember the Eternal Cycle Divine Technique I passed on to you? Have you mastered it?"

"I have."

Previously, Bai Qianqian had required everyone to practice a certain mental method for playing dead, but only Hua Miaochai had perfected it to the point where she could play dead and be put into a storage bag. However, this was not enough, and Meng Yu subsequently introduced another Cultivation Technique, the Eternal Cycle Divine Technique.

This was a Cultivation Technique that plant-based members of the Demon Race found easy to practice. Hua Miaochai picked it up quickly and, in Meng Yu's words, the difference between this technique and the previous one was that the former required the power of the Golden Core and the activation of Bloodline Divine Abilities, but once seriously injured, it would be ineffective. The Eternal Cycle Divine Technique, however, allowed one to avoid this issue, enabling entry into a state of suspended animation even with a breath's life left.

"I need you to do something, and whatever happens next, unless I agree, whether it's for a few days, a few months, or a few years, you must keep it secret and swear never to reveal it, pledging on your honor, your everything."

"I, Hua Miaochai, swear on my demon honor that no matter what Ah Yu does to me, I will never reveal it, nor will I have any complaints."

"Good, remember your promise."

After Bai Qianqian joined the Immortal Sect, she began to prepare a secret healing facility. Time passed at different rates there—one hundred to one—which meant that if Hua Miaochai and the others were severely injured on this side, they could enjoy the highest level of medical care in the Immortal Sect and take their time healing.

Essentially, it gave those who had perfected the Eternal Cycle Divine Technique an almost infinite lifeline, as long as they didn't die!

"Ah Yu, are you going to take me with you to your side?"

Suddenly, Hua Miaochai asked this.

"Yes."

For a long time, Meng Yu had used various methods, such as the necessity to activate the Teleportation Array to travel with Bai Qianqian, and such visits were rare, most of them not even disclosed to everyone. However, as the controller of the Long River Nine Bends Array, Hua Miaochai knew much more than others.

"Brother Meng, I won't go."

Hua Miaochai firmly shook her head, "The great battle is about to begin. If I go, who will control the Long River Nine Bends Array, who…"

"You're afraid I'll run away, aren't you?"

Meng Yu suddenly asked this.

"No, that's not what I mean. We are the ones who have wronged you. I just... I just don't want to leave everyone. There are many good friends here... wuu wuu wuu."

Suddenly, Hua Miaochai burst into tears.

Alright, another crybaby. Bai Qianqian used to beat her while crying herself.

"Do you trust me?"

Meng Yu reached out his hand, grasping Sister Hua's soft hand.

"Mhm."

"Alright, stop crying and come with me. Let's go welcome Qian Qian back."

"Mhm."

She nodded, and then, fell into a deep sleep.

…

Immortal Sect, Qingfeng Star, one month later.

Meng Yu woke the sleeping Hua Miaochai.

Bringing Hua Miaochai to the Immortal Sect did not mean he was going to hand her over to Bai Qianqian right away. Meng Yu strictly adhered to his own rules, taking the sleeping Hua Miaochai out and placing her there. After a one-month cooling-off period, he finally woke her up.

"We are going to see Qian Qian. She has a way to cure your illness, and don't worry about things here, I've already sent three Golden Core Experts to help oversee the bigger picture. They are very capable, nothing will go wrong."

"Really?"

"Really, but from now on, you'll have to be mute. Remember, don't speak a word to anyone except me and Qian Qian, understand?"

Meng Yu stroked Hua Miaochai's head.

Saying that Golden Core Experts were in charge was to settle her mind so she wouldn't worry, and telling her not to speak was because she was nearing the mastery of Meng Yu's core secrets.

The Time series.

Although Meng Yu was also preparing to sell this trump card at a good price, only he could have control over it.

"Actually... Yu Paopao and the fox, they are sincere."

Hua Miaochai suddenly said this.

"Ah?"

"The Mountain Stronghold is unsustainable, we all know that. When you went to bury Song Wuqiu, we had a meeting. Everyone decided not to leave. It's just that we feel sorry for you and want to offer you a little compensation."

"Ah?"

Meng Yu was stunned for a moment. What had he missed?

"Everyone is about to die in battle, so let it all go. Plus, if you leave, we won't look down on you. You've done well enough."

"Ah?"

"Ah Yu, there aren't three Golden Cores, are there?"

Hua Miaochai smiled sadly.

It was simple. If there were Golden Cores or support, Bai Qianqian would have returned as soon as the Sky-splitting Sword Sect's army approached. Golden Cores and even Nascent Souls would have come, too. There would have been no need for battle or to strike out—a stroll or two and showing their presence would have been enough to shatter the enemy's morale. Instead, everyone had been holed up like turtles, engaged in warfare for over half a year, believing that Meng Yu had no reinforcements, just bluffing bravely.

"Qian Qian, has something happened?" Find exclusive stories on My Virtual Library Empire

She continued to ask.

"She's fine. What are you worried about?"

"A month has passed."

Her smile grew even more sorrowful.

Being a Golden Core, just like Bai Qianqian, even if she had entered a state where feigned death became real, upon awakening, she could discern the passage of time.

"More than a month has slipped away, Brother Meng, I'm grateful to you. You brought me here, and everything is safe. But in truth, I wanted to stay. It was just that they said, if I didn't go, you wouldn't leave either. So if this happened, they wanted me to accompany you. They would die battling at the Moon-Watching Sect. I thought... you would bring me to Qian Qian to apologize, then have her come back..."

Tears streamed down her face as she cried deeply and sadly.

"Slap!"

Suddenly, Meng Yu lost his cool, forcefully pushed her down, and started spanking her fiercely.

"You idiots!"

At this moment, Meng Yu was truly driven mad by their actions.

How did Yang Xiu die?

Acting like they knew everything, conspiring without informing their lord!

You know it all, you act all secretive like some riddlers, even exchanging glances and displaying knowing smirks like aunties, just like Song Wuqiu,

Speaking of Song Wuqiu, Meng Yu felt a surge of irritation. You could have severely injured me, even killed me, and I wouldn't have been as upset. You'll see if you can kill me then!

You could have turned tail and run, to see if I could catch you in ten or eight years and make you suffer.

But you cleanly chose to end your life!

Ending it like some riddle-master!

Slap after slap landed on Hua Miaochai's buttocks, but the pitiful Flower Demon didn't resist. The more Meng Yu hit her, the angrier he became. Just as he was about to give her a serious lecture, a sweet voice sounded from behind him.

"What's wrong, Ah Yu? Why are you bullying Huahua?"

It was Bai Qianqian. Upon hearing her, Meng Yu nearly flipped out!

"You, get down too. It's time for some family discipline!"

Suddenly, Meng Yu felt as though something inside him had shattered.

Enough with these country lasses playing with me. Bringing you along is just too exhausting.

There were the perverts, the riddlers, those obsessed with marriage, the self-righteous ones… Even the rabbit wasn't good; she was definitely peering through the window for a long time, watching me hit her good friend, without saying a word, until the end!

You Female Golden Cores sure know how to play!

...

"Ah, ah, ah, ah, ah?"

As Bai Qianqian listened to Meng Yu recounting the events at the Moon-Watching Sect, her face grew increasingly pale. Of course, Meng Yu conveniently omitted his love story with Song Wuqiu, as that was just a trifle.

"Dear, you rest. I'll continue."

Bai Qianqian, trembling with anger, took out a large white radish.

While four months had passed for Meng Yu's side, it had only been a little over a month for Bai Qianqian's. The situation had turned into this mess, with her husband even planning to bring Hua Miaochai over for treatment!

Don't underestimate this detail. It meant that her husband was prepared to expose his most crucial secret. If this information leaked out, the Immortal Sect might very well seek to eliminate Meng Yu.

The Immortal Sect thought they were opening up to import resources. Who would have thought that the adversary was busy building military capabilities, ready to invade at any moment? Without aircraft carriers, everyone can be friends. But as soon as you can pull out ten aircraft carriers to blockade your door, that changes the whole situation.

These pigheaded teammates!

And then there was her own mistake. She really hadn't expected Song Wuqiu to be such a scumbag too!

But still… her death was a bit suspicious, wasn't it? It felt like something was missing. Why did she spare Meng Yu?

"Also, I told her that I sent three Golden Cores to help, but she wouldn't believe me. She thought I was lying. Sigh, I'm so disheartened... really, sigh..."

Meng Yu sighed in frustration.

"Smack."

Bai Qianqian brought the radish down on Hua Miaochai's buttocks.

"You actually don't believe your lord? Why would he lie to you? There's no issue whatsoever at the Moon-Watching Sect; he really sent help. Are Golden Cores that rare? Do you know how many Golden Cores I see every day, how many want to go there for a vacation? I'm not worried at all, so what are you afraid of?"

Finally, Hua Miaochai's expression relaxed.

She looked at Meng Yu, embarrassed and pitiful.