5: Chapter 5: Intrigue and Murder!

Lingxiao Sect Forbidden Ground.

Since returning from the Icy Cavern, the Law Enforcement Elder Yun Liu's mood had been a mix of extreme excitement and anxiety.

Her excitement stemmed from Lin Qingxue's Ice-Muscle Jade-Bone, making her a cultivation talent rarely seen in ten thousand years.

Her anxiety came from the mortal Karma named Su Feng, which, like a grain of sand embedded in a piece of perfect jade, felt like a thorn in her throat.

"Qingxue is a true Phoenix destined for Immortal Ascension; her Dao Heart must not be disturbed by a mere toad."

"This blemish must be completely erased!"

Carrying this chilling killing intent, Yun Liu stepped into a dark tunnel leading deep underground.

Tap, tap, tap...

The sound of footsteps echoed through the deathly silent ice prison.

In the deepest part of the Forbidden Ground, countless runic iron chains wove into a net, locking away a petite figure.

"Still trying to use a secret technique to shrink your body and reduce spiritual energy loss? Heh, Yan Ling'er, you must have forgotten the taste of the Soul-Locking Nails left by the Old Ancestor."

Yun Liu stopped and looked down at the figure with a mocking tone.

It was a girl who appeared to be in her early teens, wearing a tattered black gauze dress, her jade-like feet bare, and her skin possessing a sickly pallor from long-term lack of sunlight.

Most shockingly, two thick Dark Iron Hooks pierced through her collarbones, suspending her in mid-air, with blood long dried upon her black dress.

Hearing the sound, the girl slowly lifted her head.

It was a face as exquisite as a porcelain doll, yet in those crimson eyes, there was no fear of a prisoner; instead, a charming and defiant smile lingered.

"Oh, what a rare guest."

The girl's voice was crisp and sweet, yet it carried a chilling aura of evil:

"Isn't this the supposedly impartial Abbess Extinction? Why, not chanting your Heart-Cleansing Incantation in the middle of the night? Are you so lonely that you want to talk to this girl about men?"

Yun Liu's expression stiffened, a hint of disgust flashing in her eyes.

"Yan Ling'er, your Revered Master and I grew up in the same village. If not for that bit of sentiment, a remnant of the Blood Demon Cult like you would have been ground to dust long ago."

"Hahaha! Sentiment?!"

The girl known as Yan Ling'er burst into wild laughter as if she had heard the world's greatest joke. Her violent movements aggravated her wounds, causing blood to flow again, yet she remained completely oblivious.

"You old nun practice the Supreme Emotionless and train in the Childless Technique, yet you have the gall to talk about sentiment?"

"Years ago, to prove your Dao, you even killed the Senior Brother who raised you. To rise in rank, you even sold your own biological sister to the Hehuan Sect! And now you talk to me about sentiment? Bah! You hypocritical old hag!"

"Shut up!!"

Struck in her sore spot, Yun Liu's well-maintained face instantly contorted. She swung her whisk violently while muttering a vicious incantation.

"Buzz—!"

The Soul-Locking Chains on Yan Ling'er instantly glowed red, tightening like red-hot irons and sinking deep into her flesh!

"Ah—!!"

The pain of her Divine Soul being scorched caused Yan Ling'er's petite body to instantly go rigid, cold sweat mixing with blood as it dripped down.

Yet she continued to stare fixedly at Yun Liu, a provocative curve forming at the corner of her mouth as she squeezed words through her teeth:

"If you have the guts... kill me! You... old turtle dove... who's never touched a man in her life... Ah!!"

Another, even more violent contraction followed.

After a full quarter-hour, the incantation ceased.

Yan Ling'er slumped on the chains like a pile of mud, gasping for air, but her eyes still looked like those of a man-eating wolf cub.

"Why insist on suffering before bowing your head?" Yun Liu said coldly, a flash of pleasure in her eyes.

"Heh... Bow my head?"

Yan Ling'er raised her head with difficulty, her messy hair covering half her face. She licked the blood from the corner of her mouth, her smile enchanting and wild:

"The person who can make Yan Ling'er bow her head... hasn't been born yet! Unless... it's a peerless man who can conquer this girl, hahaha..."

Yan Ling'er knew exactly how to provoke this old virgin.

Sure enough, Yun Liu's brow furrowed, but remembering her next plan, she forced down her killing intent.

"Since you want a man so much, I'll give you a chance."

"Out of past sentiment, if you help me complete this task, I will undo your Seal and grant you freedom."

Yan Ling'er's laughter stopped, and she looked at her suspiciously. "You, being so kind? Only if the sun rises from the west."

Without another word, Yun Liu waved her hand, sending out a streak of light.

Crack!

The chains on Yan Ling'er's collarbones snapped.

Though her cultivation was still largely sealed, Yan Ling'er finally touched the ground. She stumbled before finding her footing, stretching her stiff wrists.

Immediately after, a Jade Slip flew into her hand.

Yun Liu turned around, her back to her, her voice bone-chillingly cold, as if speaking of a trivial matter:

"My disciple Qingxue's Dao Heart has been unstable lately, all because of unresolved mortal ties."

"I'll give you half a month. Go to Azure Cloud City and wipe out the entire Su Family. Remember, leave no one alive, especially that one named Su Feng."

"Once that man is dead, you will be completely free."

Yan Ling'er gripped the Jade Slip, sensing the information within. A bloodthirsty and playful curve formed at the corner of her mouth.

"Su Family... Su Feng?"

"Tsk tsk, so he's your disciple's little lover."

Crimson light flashed in Yan Ling'er's eyes, appearing somewhat curious about the man who could make the Lingxiao Sect Saintess harbor mortal feelings.

"Fine, I'll take this job!"

Watching Yan Ling'er's petite silhouette disappear into the night, the cold glint in Yun Liu's eyes was no longer concealed.

"Freedom? Hmph, fool."

"Once you've wiped out the Su Family, it will be the day you die."

"Only the dead can keep secrets best. I want the whole world to know that it was you, the demonic cult enchantress, who slaughtered the Su Family, and my Lingxiao Sect's Law Enforcement Hall was simply acting on behalf of Heaven to slay you!"

This tactic was called killing with a borrowed knife, then breaking the knife!

Upon returning to the Law Enforcement Hall, Yun Liu immediately sent a transmission.

"Have the Vice Hall Master of the Sixth Law Enforcement Hall come see me immediately!"

A moment later, a middle-aged male cultivator dressed in black tight-fitting clothes with a gloomy aura entered and knelt respectfully.

"Elder! You summoned me?"

"I have received intelligence that the remaining Blood Demon Cult Saintess, Yan Ling'er, has escaped and is fleeing toward Azure Cloud City!"

Yun Liu tossed a pre-prepared Recording Stone to him, her expression serious and righteous:

"This woman is a demonic Prodigy, inherently cruel. I suspect she intends to perform a Blood Sacrifice on a cultivation Family in Azure Cloud City to restore her Demonic Technique."

"Go to Azure Cloud City immediately and lie in wait. Remember, do not alert the enemy!"

"Wait until she has slaughtered the entire Su Family and her guilt is certain..."

Killing intent was laid bare in Yun Liu's eyes:

"Kill her on the spot immediately! For this feat of killing two birds with one stone, I will personally request a reward for you!"

The Vice Hall Master's body trembled, a look of fanaticism appearing in his eyes.

"This subordinate understands! I will not fail my mission!"

Watching her confidant leave, a smug, cold smile formed on Yun Liu's lips.

"Su Feng, don't blame me for being heartless."

"Blame your bad luck for getting involved with someone you shouldn't have!"