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

"No, no, no..."

Meng Yu shamelessly bent over, and the next moment, Bai Qianqian's body vanished from in front of him.

"There's no rush to take you as my disciple. You are of the Human Race, and I see that you have excellent roots and achievements in cultivation. Following me would actually hold you back. You may not realize it, but our Sect has a bad reputation above. In truth, we just eat and sleep, sleep and eat. Everyone calls us the Tang Ping Sect..."

"Cough, cough..."

Not far away, Su Qingqing couldn't help but cough to stop her master's candid—no, nonsensical chatter.

"Alright, alright, no need to cough. Little Su, you are truly different from Meng Yu. Back then, he was at the third level of Qi Cultivation, but now he is at the sixth level. Look at how much progress he's made. Keeping such talent in the Moon-Watching Sect holds him back. Meng Yu, don't worry. I know many people from great Sects. When the time comes, I'll recommend you, and your prospects will be much brighter."

"I also have to thank Sister Su for all the Spirit Fruits and Vegetables that she has given me over the past two years, allowing my cultivation level to progress rapidly."

"It's your natural talent. Those Spirit Fruits and Vegetables are nothing."

As she spoke, she waved her hand, and a tableful of Spirit Fruits and Vegetables appeared on the table.

"Go ahead, don't be shy. Let's eat and talk at the same time. As for the Golden Core cultivation level, it's really no different from Qi Cultivation. We all have one mouth and two eyes. My ears are just a bit longer than everyone else's; everything else is the same. Come, let's chat while we eat."

Although Meng Yu remained on his guard this time, it was still the first time he tasted the Spirit Fruits and Vegetables from Real Person Bai, and they were indeed delicious.

The three of them ate and talked like that. Meng Yu shared his recent experiences administering his lands, Su Qingqing described various scenes of Great Wu, and Real Person Bai also spoke of some messy affairs from the Upper Realm. The three enjoyed their conversation until late, when Meng Yu, rather reluctantly, asked them to go and rest.

"No need, no need. I'd like to see your spirit field. Is that okay?"

"Of course, of course. You're welcome to look. Real Person Bai, there's really nothing valuable in my spirit field. Rest assured as you go and take a look. I also have a book and some notes here that you could peruse to point out anything I may have overlooked."

Just before leaving, Meng Yu left behind two things.

That made Bai Qianqian even happier.

...

It was precisely when Su Qingqing arrived that a group of emissaries entered Meng Yu's territory. The person leading them wore a smile; the people in Meng Yu's lands undoubtedly recognized him.

He was an elder of the territory who, years ago, had fled from pursuers into Meng Yu's domain. Not only had Meng Yu saved him, but he also helped him settle the score with his enemies and raised him to a high position, including advising him on matters of martial arts and cultivation.

He was also a capable man, loyally responsible for one of Meng Yu's trade routes. However, this time, with the forces of the Divine Martial King preparing to turn, he not only betrayed Meng Yu but also used his subordinates as a pledge of allegiance, causing the death of many!

And now, he was serving as an emissary of the Divine Martial King to see Meng Yu!

The Divine Martial King's flag fluttered behind him, and despite the disgusted glances from his former comrades, he smiled naturally, suggesting that his defection to the Divine Martial King had been a last resort. He also spoke well of Meng Yu in front of the Divine Martial King. Now he had come to convey the Imperial Court's decree on behalf of the Divine Martial King.

Meng Yu had run amok outside the law, plundered merchant caravans, and showed contempt for the Imperial Court; his crimes had now been uncovered by the court. The Divine Martial King, generous and merciful, mindful that Meng Yu was young and naive, was giving him a chance to surrender. The court would ensure justice, and the Divine Martial King privately guaranteed his safety.

Fang Jue Ying smiled like a Maitreya Buddha, though he knew his mission was a death sentence.

But the intention of the Divine Martial King was to enrage Meng Yu and demoralize his followers. If Meng Yu killed him, all the better, for it would justify the Divine Martial King's actions towards Su Qingqing.

And though he would die, his brothers, family, and children would be spared, assured of future wealth and honor.

This was enough for him. He had heard the tale of the storeroom manager and thought that Meng Yu was the one at fault. "By being so kind-hearted, you are bound to lose," he reflected. Between a good man and a bad man, naturally, people would prefer to offend the good man. And you even gave them three days to leave, leaving behind only half of their assets?

"What are you so proud of? Master Su, Master Su Qingqing has already arrived and is meeting with our lord. Master Su is unrivaled in the world. She has said that her assassination of the Fragrance Sect Leader and his high-ranking officials secured this victory over Jiangnan for our lord!"

Someone unable to bear Fang Jue Ying's smile answered back.

"Ah, is that so? Could this Master Su Qingqing be someone Meng Yu hired to impersonate? And as for the assassination of the Fragrance Sect Leader, how come I haven't heard about it?"

Fang Jue Ying calmly and confidently retorted.

The Divine Martial King had seven strategic advisors, each capable of enacting unfathomable strategies and deciding the fate of battles from a thousand li away. Before making their move against Meng Yu, of course, they had considered Master Su Qingqing.

Common knowledge held the Fragrance Sect Leader as the third in the world, but in reality, he had previously not wanted to expose himself too much. However, when the time came for him to act decisively, he struck down two hundred and thirty-six martial arts experts in succession and single-handedly broke through the Imperial Court's elite forces. He once told his followers that killing Su Qingqing was as easy as lifting a finger and that he was truly the number one in the world. Subsequently, although he was assassinated by Su Qingqing, the eyewitnesses on the scene were one hundred percent sure Su Qingqing and her junior sister were severely injured (in disguise). Afterwards, Su Qingqing told the Divine Martial King the same story, stating she was going to heal her wounds and not to bother her, etc.

Trying to intimidate with Su Qingqing?

It's not until we acknowledge you as Su Qingqing that you indeed are Su Qingqing, especially when you're seriously wounded!

Divine Martial King, this is out of respect for Su Qingqing!

...

The next morning, Su Qingqing and the true Master Bai appeared in the hall again. This time, Master Bai had not brought a veil but a human skin mask instead. Although her white hair remained the same, her red eyes had turned black.

She was a rabbit who understood etiquette, knowing she needed to reveal her true face for formal communications with Meng Yu, but in daily life, she could blend in with ordinary people without difference.

Meng Yu scanned the hall. Those who could come had already arrived, but among them, some appeared hesitant, as if they had more to say.

Fang Jue Ying came as well, and he even questioned whether Su Qingqing was the real deal!

He smiled gracefully as he presented Meng Yu with the Imperial edict from the Divine Martial King, all the while maintaining a courteous and dignified demeanor.

Meng Yu glanced at the edict, listened to the conditions delivered via Whispering Secret Technique, which mentioned how Meng Yu should "bear humiliation and burden", among other things.

You're teaching me how to conduct my affairs?

"Just four words, 'nonsense and utter rubbish'. You don't need to leave either. Everyone, this is Su Qingqing, Master Su. I will accompany her to see the Divine Martial King and clarify matters. If he knows what's good for him, we'll grant him a dignified death. If he doesn't, his entire family will die!"

When speaking to subordinates, especially those who have only enjoyed a few years of prosperity, do not beat around the bush or reference classics. Say what must be said, and say it freely.

As for Fang Jue Ying, Meng Yu didn't even give him a second glance.

"I know there was a rumor yesterday claiming that Master Su Qingqing is an impostor I hired to deceive everyone. So, Master Su..."

Meng Yu turned around, looking at the beautiful elder sister.

Su Qingqing wasn't angry, especially when with her great master; she was even more amiable and endearing.

Upon hearing Meng Yu's words, her body suddenly lifted off the ground as if carried by an unseen hand, drifting toward the plaza outside.

"Lotus Blooming with Every Step?"

"Void Crossing?"

Meng Yu's subordinates guessed at what kind of martial skill this was, celestial-like, then they all swarmed outside to see how far Su Qingqing could fly.

There were even more people in the plaza. Seeing Su Qingqing fly out excited everyone, and they burst into applause. Now, who'd dare claim Su Qingqing was a fake?

Throughout history, only the legends of the Martial World could fly so high, so freely and effortlessly!

Su Qingqing arrived in front of the plaza and, with a sweep of her sleeves, dozens of large blue bricks in the middle of the square instantly crumbled to dust, and a seed fell to the ground.

It was a peach pit, enveloped by Su Qingqing's spiritual power as it embedded itself in the earth. In the next moment, the pit took root and sprouted; a small tree began to grow rapidly. The tree grew three stories high, its deep red petals fluttering in the wind, emitting a fragrance that carried for miles with its stunning beauty.

The peach blossoms bloomed and then fell, followed by the appearance of greenish fruits on the branches. They grew larger and redder with time, and not long after, plump and shiny juicy peaches graced the branches.

All of this occurred within half an hour, and everyone on the spot was dumbstruck, even Liu Qingshuang and Wang Fugui by Meng Yu's side were profoundly shocked.

Once the peaches had ripened, Su Qingqing, with a smile, had someone pick the peaches from the tree and distribute them to the crowd, challenging them to taste their deliciousness, then she provocatively hooked a glance at Meng Yu.

See, you want to be my Martial Uncle? Hmm, this is my true strength! Although the Verdant Qi of Yi Wood is not good for fighting, when it comes to daily cultivation and planting, no one can match me. If you want peaches, come find Sister Su!

The delicious peaches were teleported into the hands of each person, who carefully savored the juicy fruit with a mixture of admiration and shock in their eyes. This is the number one expert of the world, Su Qingqing, who instead of demonstrating the skill of killing, chose a very admired way to subtly show off her strength.

Certainly, in the coming days, the legend of this peach tree will spread throughout the entire Qingfeng Gate and surrounding regions, countless people will come to witness what happened, and Su Qingqing's prowess will be celebrated even more fervently.

Su Qingqing's smile was picturesque, then, looking at Meng Yu with a beaming expression.

"Everyone, what I've just demonstrated was a mere trick. The main event is yet to come. Please start clapping, and let Young Master Meng show you all what the Fiery Divine Art is all about!"

While it wasn't prearranged, Su Qingqing smiled and nodded at Meng Yu. She could guess what Meng Yu was about to perform; he would stand atop the peach tree, and under the gaze of the throng, eighteen Fire Crows would soar into the sky above Iron Chain Pass plaza, creating a magnificent but shadowed spectacle. Then, the Fiery Young Master's men would be genuinely convinced, how perfect it all would be.

I was just modestly planting a peach tree, I hope you don't lose to me.

I'm at Qi Cultivation level seven, while you're only at six!

She was really curious, what was this little brother's Unique Skill?

When she asked him last time, he only smiled without saying a word. Continue your adventure at empire