I Became the Devil Queen's Heart Demon

Fuyun Mountain.

Mist shrouded the Heavenly Pond, where a figure sat cross-legged in the center, letting the icy, pristine water wash over the body.

The skin was fair and delicate, the curves graceful and well-defined, as if carved from beautiful jade, with eyes clear and cold, exuding an ethereal aura not of this world.

Yet, the strange marking on the inside of the left leg marred this beauty—

The intricate pattern was layered and embedded, with a faint blood-like glow flowing within, exuding an inexplicable sinister vibe.

"Errant thoughts like dew, fall into the deep abyss, twelve towers, all are spectators..."

Ji Hongxiu had her eyes slightly closed, pinching a spell with her hand, muttering to herself.

As she chanted the spell, mysterious golden script gradually crawled over her body, each character seemed to embody the profound principles of the Dao.

With the suppression of the golden script, the red glow gradually dimmed somewhat, but like a disease clinging to the bones, it never truly extinguished.

"Whew—"

Ji Hongxiu opened her eyes, a glint of gold flashed in the depths, and she let out a light breath.

Her delicate brows knit slightly, her expression somewhat puzzled.

"Strange, it's been merely half a month since the last Dao Pattern flare-up, why is there another sign of activity? Clearly, I haven't taken any action recently... Could it be due to using Dragon Qi to suppress the Dao Pattern before?"

According to past occurrences, the Dao Pattern engraved on her would flare up about once a month, each time lasting around three days.

However, this time the interval suddenly shortened dramatically, with no discernible pattern at all.

"Dragon Qi can shield my aura from being detected by the malice of the Heavenly Dao, but ultimately it's just a temporary fix... Once the protection of Dragon Qi is lost, the cost might become even more severe..."

Ji Hongxiu speculated quietly in her heart.

"Cough, cough." Suddenly, she let out a light cough, her voice becoming languid and sultry, complaining, "You cruel woman, locking me in a little dark room for so long, I'm almost bored to death..."

Ji Hongxiu said coldly, "You still have the face to speak? For indulging in such shameless acts, I should have sealed you away forever!"

The languid female voice dismissively retorted, "Don't just talk, if you had the ability, would you have waited until now? Besides, if it weren't for me, do you think you could withstand Karma Fire Burning God with just the Nine Luminaries Revolving Light Spell?"

The tone clearly showing dissatisfaction with Ji Hongxiu's "getting a bargain and still acting haughty" behavior.

Ji Hongxiu gritted her teeth and said, "I would rather suffer damage to my Divine Soul than do such a thing!"

As the Head of Tianshu Pavilion, an Ultimate Venerable of the Daoist Sect, she had actually shared a bed with a man... and no less, with her own disciple!

Utterly scandalous, ridiculously absurd!

Most importantly, Yu Youhan had actually witnessed it!

Recalling the scene of that day, even Ji Hongxiu's Dao Heart wavered slightly, her toes deeply embedding into the bottom of the pool... It was truly too shameful!

The languid female voice chuckled softly, "As long as you use Dragon Qi to suppress the Dao Pattern, you can continue progressing in your realm, perhaps even crossing the Source Wall. By then, Yu Youhan would be of no concern."

The tone carried a hint of temptation, and Ji Hongxiu's heart skipped a beat.

Her Dao Heart was clear, wanting nothing but maintaining the sect's tradition, and defeating Yu Youhan was her only obsession.

The two were considered arch-enemies, and Yu Youhan always pressed her one step ahead. If she could truly defeat him, her heart and mind would certainly become unblemished!

But she quickly shook her head, dismissing the thought.

"Taking shortcuts is like climbing a vine, while persevering is like deep-rooted pine and cypress. I have reached this day relying solely on indomitable will, despising such means."

"Heh, alright, you're noble, but Chen Mo is right there. If you don't use it, someone else will... If Yu Youhan indeed seizes the Dragon Qi, you know the consequences well. With that demon's nature, once reaching Outer Heaven, the entire Jiu Zhou might become rivers of blood!"

Hearing this, Ji Hongxiu's gaze darkened slightly.

Yet before she could respond, her expression suddenly stiffened.

The Dao Pattern she had just suppressed glowed once more, scarlet light dazzling and glaring!

Simultaneously, black and red fiery poison arose out of nowhere, filling the Purple Mansion, as excruciating pain from the fiery poison's erosion assaulted her Divine Soul!

"Dan Zhong Bao Ri, Jade Liquid Returning Pill, Scales Bursting, shine on the mud pill..."

Ji Hongxiu urgently chanted the Nine Luminaries Revolving Light Spell, but this time the Dao Pattern's eruption was too rapid. The Protective Golden Seal had not yet fully formed when the Purple Mansion was seized by the fiery poison, her consciousness gradually blurring.

Vaguely, a charming and sultry laugh echoed in her ears.

"It's all over…"

The final thought slipped through Ji Hongxiu's mind, and then her consciousness plunged into chaos.

Upon reopening her eyes, the cold and clear brows and eyes turned enchanting.

"I myself am a Split Soul meant to harbor the three poisons. My resistance to this Karmic Fire is somewhat stronger than hers, but I'm afraid it won't last long either..." Ji Hongxiu raised her hand, and the red Golden Pattern Daoist Robe automatically covered her entire body.

She unfastened the wine gourd from her belt, tilted back her head and took a gulp, her cheeks tinged with a captivating flush.

"If I go directly to Tiandu City to find Chen Mo, Yu Youhan might notice. It's better to find a way to lure him out of the city... and it's best not to let Qingxuan know, otherwise, that girl will throw a tantrum again..."

Dong—

As Ji Hongxiu was pondering privately, a melodious bell sound echoed from the distant mountains.

She raised her eyebrows, her figure suddenly vanished.

Upon reaching the grand hall on the mountain peak, a steward came forward, bowing and saying, "Venerable, Master Huo is here."

Ji Hongxiu, sitting on a chair, said indifferently, "Let him in."

"Yes."

The steward bowed and withdrew.

A moment later, an elder in a black robe with silver hair walked in, smiling as he said, "Long time no see, Master Ji is still as heroic and charming as ever..."