103: Chapter 103: Making Trouble

The next morning.

Xiao Ran opened his eyes and looked at the still-sleeping Poison Lady beside him.

Her sleeping face was very peaceful, lacking her usual enchantment, looking like an ordinary woman.

Xiao Ran watched for a moment before getting up and walking out of the inner chamber.

In the courtyard, morning mist lingered.

He sat cross-legged and began to regulate his breathing.

Within his Dantian, that Chaos vortex had grown a bit stronger.

A portion of the Ten Thousand Poisons Spirit Body's Origin toxins had once again been absorbed by the Guixu Body.

"At this rate, a few more times and I'll be able to completely master Poison Lady's toxins."

Xiao Ran calculated in his heart.

But he knew that what he wanted wasn't just the toxins.

Poison Lady herself had value.

She was the Third Demon Son and had her own connections and influence within the Sect.

If he could completely win her over, his Foundation in the Eternal Night Demon Sect would be halfway stable.

"Take it slow."

From behind, soft footsteps approached.

Poison Lady walked to his side and sat down.

She looked at the distant morning sun and suddenly spoke.

"Xiao Ran."

"Hmm?"

"Do you know what Li Tianxing and White Bone Scholar have been doing lately?"

Xiao Ran's heart stirred, but his face remained impassive.

"I don't know."

Poison Lady gave a light laugh.

"Li Tianxing is in seclusion, digesting Blood Fiend Demon Venerable's Legacy, while White Bone Scholar... he's recruiting people."

Xiao Ran looked at her.

"Recruiting whom?"

"Ghost Shadow, Tie Kuang, and several inner court Elders."

"He wants to expand his influence before the Heavenly Pride Competition."

"After all, the battlefield for the Heavenly Pride Competition isn't at the Eternal Night Demon Sect, but in the Great Qian Dynasty, where the national situation is very complex."

Poison Lady said.

Xiao Ran frowned.

No wonder White Bone Scholar had been making so many moves lately.

It turned out he had already thought that far ahead.

"What about Li Tianxing? Isn't he afraid of White Bone Scholar growing too powerful?"

Xiao Ran asked.

"Li Tianxing?"

Poison Lady smiled.

"He is the First Demon Son, the strongest of all; he doesn't care at all how much White Bone Scholar messes around."

"In his view, as long as one's strength is sufficient, any influence is just hollow."

Xiao Ran nodded.

That was indeed Li Tianxing's style.

"And you?"

"Which side are you on?"

He looked at Poison Lady.

Poison Lady looked at him, her eyes flickering.

"What do you think?"

Xiao Ran smiled.

"You're on your own side."

Poison Lady was taken aback, then laughed.

"Xiao Ran, you really are clever."

She stood up and straightened her dress.

"I'm leaving. Next time I come, I'll bring you some interesting props."

"I'll definitely make it so you won't want to leave."

As she spoke, Poison Lady walked to the courtyard gate and suddenly looked back.

"By the way, White Bone Scholar will likely send someone to try and recruit you."

"You don't need to agree."

Xiao Ran raised an eyebrow.

"Why?"

Poison Lady looked at him, a trace of complexity flashing in her eyes.

"Because I'm already yours, and I don't want to board White Bone Scholar's sinking ship."

She pushed the door open and left.

Xiao Ran sat where he was, watching her departing back.

"Mine..."

"Since when did a mere socket become so assertive?"

...

In the following days, Xiao Ran continued his seclusion to Cultivate.

But he kept an eye out and began to pay attention to the movements within the Sect.

Poison Lady would come by once every three to five days.

Sometimes it was to "seek guidance on Poison Arts," other times it was just to "chat."

Every time she came, she would bring some news.

Li Tianxing was still in seclusion, but his aura was growing stronger; it was said he was just one step away from Soul Transformation.

White Bone Scholar had already recruited Ghost Shadow and Tie Kuang and was currently in contact with several Elders.

Yin Jiuyou and Blood Slaughterer remained neutral; they seemed to have their own ideas.

Also... someone had begun to secretly spread rumors about Xiao Ran.

"Who?"

Xiao Ran asked.

Poison Lady shook her head.

"Not clear, but someone who can mobilize the Dark Hall isn't of low status."

Xiao Ran felt a sense of vigilance.

The Dark Hall was the Eternal Night Demon Sect's organization responsible for intelligence and assassinations.

Someone who could mobilize them had to be at least at the Elder level.

"Thanks."

He said to Poison Lady.

Poison Lady smiled.

"Why thank me? You're my man; of course I have to protect you."

She leaned in close and whispered in his ear:

"However, you have to repay this favor."

Xiao Ran looked at her.

"How should I repay it?"

Poison Lady winked.

"Tonight, I want to continue learning the second level."

"I've brought the props."

Xiao Ran smiled.

"Deal."

...

Another month later.

Xiao Ran sat in the courtyard, his surrounding aura even stronger than a month ago.

He had completely mastered the first three levels of the Ten Thousand Poisons True Scripture.

He could now proficiently use the three demon tools: the blazing flame demon banner, the ice soul demon sword, and the thunder shock demon drum.

His cultivation had also stabilized from the Nascent Soul middle stage, with faint signs of a Breakthrough toward the Late Nascent Soul Stage.

Most importantly, his relationship with Poison Lady was no longer just a transaction.

That woman had begun to truly trust him.

In other words, this car now belonged to him.

"Xiao Ran."

Poison Lady's voice came from outside the courtyard gate.

Xiao Ran opened his eyes and saw her push the door open and enter.

Her expression was somewhat solemn.

"Something has happened."

Xiao Ran frowned.

"What is it?"

Poison Lady walked up to him and said in a low voice:

"Someone has already started making a move against you."

Xiao Ran's gaze turned sharp.

"How so?"

"Someone is spreading news over at the Dark Hall, saying that the things you obtained in the Ancient Battlefield are far more than what you reported."

Xiao Ran fell silent.

Poison Lady looked at him.

"What do you think?"

Xiao Ran thought for a moment about which bastard dared to spread rumors about him.

After thinking it over, it had to be that pretty boy, White Bone Scholar.

He had tried to recruit Xiao Ran more than once, but Xiao Ran had rejected him every time.

"What do you plan to do?"

Poison Lady asked.

Xiao Ran looked at her with a profound gaze.

"Senior Sister Poison, do you want to... play for high stakes?"

Poison Lady was startled.

"What do you mean?"

Xiao Ran stood up, walked to her, and said in a low voice:

"A counterattack, of course."

A strange light flashed in Poison Lady's eyes.

"You have a plan?"

Xiao Ran nodded.

"I do, but I'll need your help."

Poison Lady looked at him, her face full of smiles.

"Xiao Ran, do you know? What I like most about you is that you're ruthless and clever enough."

She reached out and put her arms around his neck.

"Tell me, what do you want me to do?"

Xiao Ran lowered his head and whispered a few words into her ear.

After Poison Lady finished listening, a complex look flashed in her eyes.

"Are you sure?"

"I'm sure."

Poison Lady was silent for a moment.

"Alright, I'll go along with you."

She stood on her tiptoes and gave him a light kiss on the lips.

Over this period, she had already grown accustomed to this behavior.

Xiao Ran smiled.

The two looked at each other, both of their eyes flashing with a certain light.