Recruit demons to become heroes, hunt demons to become gods

Chapter 306: A Plot to Conquer the Hall of Judgment and Unify the Demonic Path?
Dou Eqing, through Shui Yunxian's help, gradually infiltrated the Judgment Hall's power, eventually bringing even the former fairy maiden and current deputy hall master, Luo Damei, under his command.

This stunningly beautiful woman, renowned throughout the Kunlun region, possesses an unparalleled elegance that transcends the limits of words.

Luo Damei, also known as "Meihuang," is the only female among the five peak-level demonic cultivators who have transcended the tribulation.

She did not hold a high position by virtue of being the Daoist partner of Palace Master Luo Yanxi, but earned her reputation through hard work and real battles.

However, what truly made her stand out from the crowd was not her cultivation level, but her unparalleled beauty, born from the spiritual essence of heaven and earth.

Legend has it that she possesses a faint yet pure divine phoenix bloodline, which endows her with a noble and dignified air that transcends the mundane.

Simply stand quietly in one place, and the surrounding world seems to spontaneously spread its radiance upon her.

Her skin wasn't simply snow-white; it radiated a warm, jade-like glow, so delicate that even the finest spiritual pearl paled in comparison.

Her phoenix eyes seemed to hold the brilliance of eternity as they moved, with a faint blush naturally appearing at the corners. Even when she wasn't smiling, she exuded an aura of majesty, looking down upon all living beings.
When she subtly curls the corners of her lips, she instantly exudes a captivating charm, yet this charm is not frivolous at all; instead, it carries a mysterious and noble quality that commands respect.

Her figure perfectly embodies the concept of "Spring Charm Fairy Body." Her exquisite curves are not deliberately alluring, but rather the most harmonious rhythm naturally drawn by the laws of heaven and earth, with every breath subtly in harmony with the Dao.

When Dou Eqing of Shuiyun Xianyu talked about Luo Damei, he deliberately sketched out her appearance to tease and seduce him.

With her spiritual power, Luo Damei's black hair cascaded down like a waterfall, loosely tied up with a simple black jade phoenix hairpin, yet surpassing countless jeweled and gorgeous garments in the mortal world.

Luo Da Mei needs no elaborate clothing or precious jewels to adorn her; her very existence is the ultimate definition of "beauty," a living legend.

However, beneath this stunning beauty lies a heart hardened and resilient by the past.

Her complex and twisted relationship with the Palace Master Luo Yanxi, from the resentment of being cultivated as a furnace to the later breakup when he developed true feelings but it was too late, caused this Enchanting Phoenix to build high walls in her heart.

After Luo Damei was crowned as the Phoenix Queen, Luo Yanxi wanted to cultivate with her to break through his bottleneck and build a foundation for immortality.

But she refused, which led Luo Yanxi to try to force himself on her, and the two had a fierce battle.

As a result, Luo Yanxi was unable to subdue Luo Damei.

Of course, Luo Damei couldn't harm Luo Yanxi either.

It was this latent discontent and yearning for true autonomy that became the key foundation for Dou Eqing and Shui Yunxian's success in turning her against their own side.

Subduing Luo Damei not only means gaining the combat power of a peak king, but also bringing half of the Judgment Hall's territory, along with this stunning beauty that illuminates the Kunlun Realm, into your own grasp.

If Dou Eqing hadn't for the chance encounter that led to his entanglement with Yang Yunhuan, which in turn attracted Luo Damei's attention, he probably wouldn't have had even the slightest chance to touch the other female cultivators in the Judgment Hall.

Luo Damei, the supreme queen known as the "Charming Phoenix," has long been an invisible support for many female cultivators in the Judgment Hall.

Her own experience of nearly becoming a furnace cauldron gave her a natural protective instinct towards the women in the palace who were also helpless or in precarious situations.

Using her power and influence, Luo Damei managed to secure as much breathing room and dignity as possible for them in the cruel vortex of magic.

However, Roda's protection was not without principle.

She herself values ​​the word "love" very much. This emphasis stems from her longing for and disappointment in genuine emotions during her distorted relationship with Luo Yanxi.

Therefore, when she tacitly approved of, or even to some extent endorsed, the relationship between Dou Eqing and Yang Yunhuan, and subsequently developed a deep bond with Dou Eqing himself, a strong possessiveness arose.

She could be an asset to Dou Eqing's schemes within the Judgment Hall, but she would never allow him to use this power to recklessly seduce the other female cultivators in the hall.

In her view, this was not simply jealousy, but a defense of a purer model of relationship that she endorsed.

If Dou Eqing wants to truly integrate the female power of the Judgment Hall through her, he must accept the boundary she has drawn—she can be an important ally on his chessboard, or even a special presence in his private sphere, but he must never regard the Judgment Hall as a backyard garden that he can plunder at will.

This unwavering and assertive approach to emotions became a unique barrier to Dou Eqing's ambitions, and also made their cooperation full of subtle and complex tension.

While Dou Eqing was strategizing in the Hall of Judgment, using Shui Yunxian and Luo Damei as leverage to quietly undermine the foundation of this powerful force in the demonic path, the external landscape of the demonic path was undergoing a dramatic and direct transformation.

After years of silence and biding their time, the Sea Demon Cult has finally revealed its long-dormant fangs.

Without any warning, a declaration filled with killing intent and domineering power exploded like thunder over the demonic path of Kunlun Realm—the Sea Demon Sect seeks to unify the demonic path and restore order!

This declaration is not just empty talk.

Almost at the same time the news spread, the Sea Demon Cult's massive war machine, which had been accumulating for a long time, was already in full swing.

Several sects and forces that had previously participated in the siege of the Sea Demon Cult were the first to be targeted, becoming the targets of the Sea Demon Cult's bloody retaliation and attempt to establish its authority.

The flames of war spread like wildfire in an instant.

The Sea Demon Cult's offensive was faster than anyone had imagined.

This is no longer the usual probing and entanglement between demonic sects, but a true war of annihilation!
Led by several elders at the Tribulation Transcending Realm, the elite demon army rode ferocious war beasts, like a black torrent, sweeping towards the mountain gates of their former enemies.

Demonic energy surged to the heavens, and the sounds of battle shook the wilderness.

The protective array of the sect flickered violently under the ferocious attack, and finally shattered like fragile glass.

The once dominant demonic sects were reduced to scorched earth and ruins under the crushing force of absolute power.

Blood stained the mountains and rivers, and wails echoed across the land. The Sea Demon Sect used the most cruel method to declare its unquestionable strength and determination to the entire demonic path.

This sudden battle not only caught the directly attacked forces off guard, but also caused great panic and upheaval throughout the entire demonic path.

Many neutral or observing forces were shocked to discover that the strength displayed by the Sea Demon Cult was far more terrifying than they had anticipated.

What chilled the hearts of some top leaders was that, faced with such a massive change concerning the landscape of the demonic path, the Judgment Hall, which had always considered itself the one maintaining the balance of the demonic path, reacted with unusual ambiguity and sluggishness.

Only a very few insiders understand that the Court of Judgments' "silence" is itself an attitude.

Behind this lies the result of Dou Eqing's covert encroachment and influence on the decision-making of the Judgment Hall.

The Sea Demon Sect's direct offensive and Dou Eqing's ingenious operations within the Judgment Hall, one overt and one covert, complement each other and are jointly propelling the demonic path of the Kunlun Realm towards an unprecedented era of unification.

Smoke and intrigue together constituted a duet in this power transition.

The bloodshed unleashed by the Sea Demon Sect, and the deeper meaning hidden behind it, are well understood by the leaders of the various ninth-tier forces in the Kunlun Realm.

Dou Eqing's actions served two purposes: firstly, to openly unify the demonic path and reshape order;

Secondly, he used this catastrophe that affected the entire demonic path to pave his own path to immortality.

That crucial Bead of Immeasurable Merit made this war a feast for Dou Eqing, a chance to reap merit.

First, Yang Yang abdicated the throne of the Sea Demon Sect leader to Dou Eqing.

Dou Eqing not only became the leader of the Sea Demon Sect, but also explained the wonderful uses of the Boundless Merit Pearl to all the demon cultivators in the Sea Demon Sect—the Heavenly Origin Liquid, which could be exchanged for merits to directly advance one's cultivation level.

Thus, Dou Eqing went from being the leader of the sect to becoming the master of the Sea Demon Sect, a figure of authority.

By envisioning a Demon Slave Altar, the soul tablets of almost all demonic cultivators of the Sea Demon Cult can be refined through the Demon Slave Altar.

In this way, every time a disciple of the Sea Demon Sect kills a demon cultivator, the merit of "eliminating demons" can be channeled into Dou Eqing himself through the mysterious connection of the Boundless Merit Bead.

This immense power of merit is the foundation for him to temper his golden body of merit and resist future celestial tribulations and even celestial adversaries.

Meanwhile, his ferocious beast, Taotie Jiamo, is also growing rapidly amidst endless slaughter and devouring, becoming an increasingly sharp butcher's knife.

What chilled his opponents even more was that Dou Eqing used the Boundless Merit Bead to transform some of the low-level merits he had gathered into low-level Heavenly Origin Liquid.

This liquid is almost omnipotent, with miraculous effects on improving the cultivation level of demonic cultivators of the same level, healing injuries, and breaking through realms.

Under the extreme temptation of the Heavenly Origin Liquid, the demonic cultivators of the Sea Demon Sect unleashed a frenzy far beyond reason. For the sake of battle merits and rewards, they were more fearless of death and more thirsty for killing than their enemies.

After each major battle, the strength of those who received the reward would visibly increase. This terrifying cycle of "using war to fuel war" made the Sea Demon Cult's war machine stronger and stronger with each battle.

However, the real giants were initially still observing.

They knew that without the Judgment Hall, which held sway over the demonic path, taking the lead and uniting at least three ninth-tier forces, they would have no chance to stop Dou Eqing, whose momentum was currently unstoppable.

Most factions even secretly calculated that even if the Sea Demon Sect unified the demonic path, it would only be a nominal submission. When the ultimate war between good and evil broke out, the situation might change, so it was not unreasonable to endure for the time being.

This wishful thinking was shattered when the Demonic Cult and its founder were completely crushed and wiped off the map of the demonic path by the Sea Demon Cult with overwhelming force.

The destruction of the Demonic Cult was like a heavy death knell, tolling in the hearts of every demonic master.

Dou Eqing used this bloody fact to declare his cold-blooded iron law—those who obey may not survive, while those who resist will inevitably face utter destruction!
Even though he knew that completely eradicating a long-standing ninth-order lineage would inevitably provoke the wrath of Heaven and bring about a devastating backlash of fortune, Dou Eqing showed no fear.

His own fortune was as vast as the sea, and more importantly, he held the immeasurable merit bead in his hand!

The immense merit gained from annihilating the Demonic Cult far exceeded ordinary people's imagination, and he unhesitatingly used a portion of it to offset the backlash of fate.

Merit can avert disaster, much like cleansing filth with a clear spring, minimizing the divine punishment that would result from the destruction of a faction.

However, an even greater surprise was yet to come. When the last vestige of resistance from the Demonic Sect was crushed and its lineage and fortune completely collapsed into the world, the Boundless Merit Pearl in Dou Eqing's hand suddenly burst forth with unprecedented light!
A supremely pure blessing from the Heavenly Dao, which only he could perceive, poured directly into his soul and foundation of the Dao, like a sudden enlightenment.

This is not a simple infusion of energy, but a deeper level of "recognition" and "blessing".

Driven by this mysterious power, the already surging power within Dou Eqing's body instantly broke through the last invisible shackles, and a sense of enlightenment and control that surpassed that of ordinary peak tribulations arose spontaneously.

His combat power, without any warning, officially stepped into the realm of the legendary king at the peak of the Tribulation Transcending Realm!

This "kingship" is not self-proclaimed, but rather a secret bestowal from the Heavenly Dao, representing that among those of the same rank, he has received some kind of favor from the mysterious will of Heaven, resulting in a qualitative leap in his combat power.

Just as he had stabilized his realm and truly obtained the "King" position, a sudden change occurred!
The sky, which had been dark and murky due to the great battle, was suddenly stirred up by an invisible force.

Instead of auspicious clouds and colorful omens, it was a gathering of rolling demonic clouds that transformed into a massive vortex covering thousands of miles. At the center of the vortex, streaks of dark golden lightning moved like dragons and snakes, exuding a majestic aura that made one's soul tremble.

A vast, incomparable, and ruthless will swept across the heavens and earth. Though it spoke no words, all cultivators who sensed this will, regardless of their cultivation level, clearly understood that another peak Tribulation King had been born!
This strange phenomenon was not auspicious; on the contrary, it carried a domineering and murderous aura of demonic supremacy, but its significance was beyond doubt.

The heavens and earth changed color, and the laws resonated with it. This was a declaration to the entire Kunlun Realm that the landscape of the demonic path had been completely changed, and a new demonic king, carrying the power to destroy sects, had officially ascended to the pinnacle of power!
In the distance, the newly formed loose alliance of demonic giants looked up at this celestial anomaly, their faces turning extremely grim.

They not only felt the oppressive aura of the new king, but also clearly realized that Dou Eqing's strength had exceeded their initial expectations.

Stopping the Sea Demon Cult's advance will likely be a hundred times more difficult than imagined...

They understood even more clearly that what Dou Eqing wanted was not nominal submission, but complete conquest and integration.

Only then did the remaining demonic leaders truly feel the pain and survival crisis, and were forced to put aside their past grievances, unite urgently, and hastily build a defensive line, which barely managed to stop the Sea Demon Sect's crazy pace of unifying the demonic path.

The sky of the demonic path has been stained dark red by war and conspiracy, and an ultimate storm that will determine the final hegemon is brewing.

The magnificent phenomenon of a king at the peak of tribulation was like a boulder thrown into a calm lake, its ripples instantly piercing through the void and alarming the supreme being deep within the Judgment Hall—Hall Master Luo Yanxi.

He suddenly opened his eyes from his seclusion, a hint of surprise and solemnity flashing in them. The aura of this new king's birth was domineering and unfamiliar, unlike any of the old kings he knew. Moreover, the causal threads faintly revealed within it pointed towards the Sea Demon Sect, which was currently wreaking havoc.

"Dou Eqing...it was him?"

Luo Yanxi was shocked and immediately realized that the landscape of the demonic path was about to undergo a dramatic change. This person had become a major threat, and he had to find out the truth as soon as possible, and even... suppress him while his realm was still unstable!

However, just as Luo Yanxi was thinking rapidly and preparing to take action, a divine sense transmission that he was extremely familiar with, yet carried a strange urgency, quietly arrived in his mind—from Luo Damei.

"Yan Xi! Dou Eqing has just broken through, and his aura is unstable. There seems to be a backlash from his Dao injury. At this moment, he is hiding in a strange cave to heal his wounds!"

I...I'm trapped by his secret technique and can't escape. He wants to use me as nourishment for his immortal foundation. Come and save me quickly! If you save me, I promise to cultivate with you and build a foundation for immortality..."

The transmission carried the unique soul energy fluctuations of Luo Damei, as well as a hint of barely concealed panic and a plea for help.

These words were like a precise dose of poison, instantly striking Luo Yanxi's most complex weakness.

Although their relationship had long since broken down, Luo Damei's importance in his heart never diminished; his twisted possessiveness and undying concern were intertwined.

Moreover, if we can seize this opportunity to severely damage or even capture Dou Eqing, it will be of great benefit both publicly and privately!

Concern can cloud judgment, and greed can cloud one's judgment. Although Luo Yanxi suspected something was amiss, the unusual signs of the new king's birth were undeniable, and Luo Damei's plea for help made it impossible for him to stand idly by.

He snorted coldly, and his figure instantly disappeared from the Judgment Hall. Following the faint spatial coordinates in Luo Damei's divine sense, he tore through the void and barged in!

The surrounding scenery changed in the next moment.

He found himself in a strange grotto-heaven, surrounded by celestial charm and governed by entirely different laws.

The spiritual energy here is astonishingly abundant, yet it carries a kind of power of rules that even he, a peak Tribulation Transcending cultivator, felt faintly suppressed by.

"Welcome, Lord Luo."

A calm voice sounded from ahead.

Luo Yanxi's pupils shrank suddenly. He saw Dou Eqing standing calmly on a jade platform, his aura surging and harmonious, showing no sign of any Dao injury or backlash.

Luo Damei stood quietly beside Dou Eqing, looking at him with a complicated expression, though there was some reluctance in her eyes.

Fell into a trap!
Luo Yanxi's heart sank, and he instantly realized that he had fallen into a trap carefully set by the other party.

This cave... is strange!
His terrifying aura erupted instantly as he attempted to forcefully break through space and escape.

But it was too late.

The laws of the Purple Star Immortal Mansion have been fully activated, and the invisible barrier is indestructible, firmly trapping this Lord of the Judgment Hall within this world.

Dou Eqing looked at Luo Yanxi, whose face was ashen, and a cold smile curled at the corner of his mouth.

The prey is already in the trap.

Inside the Purple Star Immortal Abode, the air was as still as iron.

Luo Yanxi's body was writhing in demonic flames, trying to break free from the constraints of this world, but he found that the surrounding rules were as solid as a rock, and even faintly backfired on him.

He stared intently at the composed Dou Eqing and the complex-looking Luo Damei beside him, then laughed in fury:

"Very well! What a clever scheme to lure you into a trap! Dou Eqing, I underestimated your audacity and cunning!"

Dou Eqing stood with his hands behind his back, a faint, enigmatic smile on his face, as if he were merely entertaining an uninvited guest rather than trapping a supreme king capable of shaking the demonic path.

However, beneath his calm exterior, his mind was racing at an unprecedented pace, weighing two options that could influence the future.

[Extermination?]

The moment the thought arose, a surge of killing intent rushed forth like a chilling current.

Completely annihilating Luo Yanxi would yield enormous, suffocating benefits.

The fall of a king at the peak of the Tribulation Transcending stage will bring a massive amount of Heavenly Dao merit, enough to solidify his merit golden body by a large margin, and further, with the help of the [Demon Devouring Heavenly Art], he can devour and absorb all of his pure cultivation and understanding of the laws.

This is undoubtedly a shortcut to forging an unparalleled immortal foundation, which can greatly shorten the time it takes for him to open the gate to immortality.

But the risks are equally terrifying—as the master of the Judgment Hall, Luo Yanxi's soul lamp must have a deep connection with Li Xiaochun, who reigns supreme in the Immortal Realm.

Once completely extinguished, it is highly likely to instantly alarm Li Xiaochun and provoke the wrath of a celestial being.

Not only that, but it's also possible that he might have taken advantage of Shui Yunxian.

Mortals have the grudge of "theft of a wife is irreconcilable," but for an immortal whose fairy maiden was stolen, his anger is something he doesn't want to face right now.

At that time, the golden body of merit will not yet be formed, and even with the protection of the Purple Star Immortal Mansion, it will be difficult to guarantee its safety.

[To subdue?]

This idea is more meticulous, but also more challenging.

If he could use absolute power and effective methods to force Luo Yanxi to submit and implant the Demon Slave Seal, then the entire Judgment Hall would fall completely under his control without suffering any serious damage.

This will clear the biggest internal obstacle for his grand plan to "unify the demonic path," allowing him to acquire the vast resources and profound foundation of the Judgment Hall without bloodshed—a feat of immeasurable value.

However, the difficulty lies in the fact that Luo Yanxi is proud and arrogant, with a firm belief in the Dao, and is by no means an easy person to deal with. Making him truly submit is as difficult as ascending to heaven.

Even if you manage to succeed by a narrow margin, you must always be wary of its backlash, just like riding a wounded tiger.

“Palace Master Luo, you flatter me,” Dou Eqing said, his voice calm yet carrying an undeniable force, interrupting Luo Yanxi’s anger.

He went on to say:
"It's not that I, Dou, am reckless; it's just that the Palace Master doesn't understand the opinion of my Sea Demon Sect on unifying the demonic path. I had no choice but to resort to this tactic and invite the Palace Master to come and have a talk."

While using words to calm Luo Yanxi and buy time, he also weighed the pros and cons in a flash.

While the prospect of eliminating him is tempting, confronting Li Xiaochun too soon carries too many uncertainties and is not the best course of action.

While subduing Luo Yanxi would be difficult, it would maximize his benefits and better align with his long-term strategic needs.

More importantly, with the special relationship with Luo Damei, we might be able to find a leverage point to break down her defenses.

Having made up his mind, a deep glint flashed in Dou Eqing's eyes. He looked at Luo Yanxi, his tone still calm, yet carrying a hint of negotiation:

"Why must you be angry, Palace Master? Perhaps it doesn't have to come to the point of life and death between us. Although the Purple Star Immortal Mansion can trap you, I respect you as the pillar of the demonic path and am willing to give you a choice."

He threw out the bait, while cleverly shifting the pressure of the final decision onto Luo Yanxi.

A psychological battle concerning life and death and submission has officially begun in this secluded immortal abode.

Dou Eqing's words were like a stone thrown into a deep pool, stirring up ripples in Luo Yanxi's heart. "Give me a choice?"
In this situation of absolute subjugation, the so-called "choice" is nothing more than a cleverly disguised form of submission or death.

Luo Yanxi has roamed the demonic path for thousands of years; how could he not understand such tricks?
He laughed in fury, his powerful divine sense piercing Dou Eqing like a sharp sword, trying to find even the slightest flaw in his mind:

"Choice? Hahahaha! Dou Eqing, put away your hypocritical tricks! I never thought I could get out of here so easily when I stepped into this place."

But if you think you can make me kneel down with this strange immortal abode, you are being far too naive! Even if you can trap me, can you trap me forever?
"Once the celestial messengers arrive, or the patriarch within the palace senses something amiss, how long can your celestial abode, no matter how wondrous, withstand them?"

He tried to intimidate people by pointing out the serious consequences that Dou Eqing's actions might cause, especially the potential danger of alarming Li Xiaoxian.

This is an open strategy, and it is also his greatest asset at present.

Upon hearing this, Dou Eqing's expression remained unchanged; instead, he nodded slightly, seemingly in agreement.

“What the Palace Master says is absolutely right. The envoys from the Immortal Realm, especially Senior Li Xiaoxian, are indeed something I need to be concerned about. That is why I said I was willing to give the Palace Master a choice, rather than directly carrying out the act of annihilation.”

He paused, his gaze seemingly intentionally or unintentionally sweeping over the silent Luo Damei beside him, before continuing,
"Does the Palace Master know why Da Mei is now on my side?"

Upon hearing this, Luo Yanxi's breath hitched slightly, as this was precisely his greatest pain and source of confusion.

He looked at Luo Damei, his eyes filled with complex and unreadable emotions.

Before Dou Eqing could answer, he asked and answered himself, his voice carrying a power that penetrated the heart:

"Because she saw in me another possibility beyond the fate of being a 'furnace' and gained true respect and... freedom."

Unlike when he was by the side of the Palace Master, even as the Vice Palace Master and a Peak King, he still couldn't erase the mark of being a 'furnace' deep in his heart, and even felt constrained and ironic because of the Palace Master's later 'true feelings'.

These words were like poisoned needles, precisely piercing the most vulnerable spot in Luo Yanxi's heart.

The twisted relationship between him and Luo Damei was a failure he could not avoid.

"Dou's desire to unify the demonic path is not to satisfy his own selfish desires, but to break the old, outdated order that treats women as resources."

Dou Eqing's voice deepened, carrying an undeniable ambition and conviction: "If the Hall of Judgment is in my hands, it will no longer be a cage for the higher-ups to keep their furnaces, but will become a true pillar that gathers the talents of the demonic path to fight against the righteous path!"

"Lord of the Palace, if you are willing to let go of your past obsessions and join hands with me, you will still be the Lord of the Judgment Hall, a giant of the demonic path, and not anyone's vassal or... enemy."

The picture he depicted was completely different from the old order that Luo Yanxi upheld.

At the same time, Dou Eqing secretly activated a trace of the original power of the Ziwei Immortal Mansion. A gentle yet boundless aura faintly enveloped Luo Yanxi. It was not oppressive, but rather made him truly feel the potential of this world and Dou Eqing's unfathomable foundation.

"It is a choice to perish together with the enemy, to allow the Judgment Hall's millennia-old foundation to decline due to internal strife, and to allow the wrath of Senior Li Xiaoxian to potentially spread throughout the entire demonic path."

Or will you choose to create a new future with me, preserving the dignity and authority of the Palace Master, and even seeking greater opportunities in the future war between immortals and demons?

Dou Eqing finally revealed his true intentions, clearly presenting Luo Yanxi with two options: "The path to life or death is entirely up to the Palace Master. As for Senior Li Xiaoxian... I have my own plan, and it may not be as treacherous as the Palace Master thinks."

Pressure and temptation coexist.

Dou Eqing not only pointed out Luo Yanxi's personal emotional pain points, but also elevated the choice to a level that concerns the survival of the Judgment Hall and the future of the demonic path.

The profound mysteries of the Ziwei Immortal Mansion, Dou Eqing's own strength and potential, and Luo Damei's "betrayal" all became bargaining chips to increase their negotiating power.

Luo Yanxi's expression shifted rapidly, his mind in turmoil. A direct confrontation offered absolutely no chance of victory;

To yield would mean the collapse of something he had held dear throughout his life. But the "path to survival" that Dou Eqing described, and the confidence that seemed to indicate he had a way to deal with Li Xiaoxian, gave him a glimpse of a different future.

Inside the cave, a deathly silence fell.

Only Luo Yanxi's heavy breathing revealed the intense struggle he was going through.

The outcome of this contest is about to be revealed.

Either fight a bloody battle to the death, or endure humiliation for a while.
(End of this chapter)