Elder Huai tidied up the infirmary, checked on Lin Xue’s condition again, and, seeing that all was normal, finally stepped out, closed the door behind him, and walked toward the main hall, wanting to see what had caused the commotion just now.
Just earlier, those bursts of thunder—why did they sound like a Demon was undergoing Thunder Tribulation in the mountain?
But how was that possible?
Recently, the only one in Xixia Mountain who had a chance to cross the Thunder Tribulation was Young Master Huzi, and he was already dead.
How could any other Demon be transcending the tribulation here?
Hong Lao San would never just sit by and do nothing.
With doubts swirling in his mind, Elder Huai walked into the hall.
He saw over a thousand Demons in the hall, all frozen in the same posture, eyes wide and fixed in a single direction, green light shining in their gaze, drool dripping from their mouths, panting, faces flushed with excitement, envy, and anticipation, as if witnessing something truly incredible.
Elder Huai curiously looked in the direction they were all staring.
Instantly, his old eyes widened.
On the stage at the front of the hall, amidst the chaos, a pair of male and female Demons were actually brazenly indulging in carnal pleasure right in front of the crowd.
Elder Huai immediately recognized the curvaceous female Demon as Hong Yanzhi.
As for the male Demon—he was tall and muscular, and judging by his build, it had to be Shu Da.
Hong Yanzhi had probably fainted from shame and anger, unable to withstand the humiliation of Shu Da treating someone as noble as her like this in front of all the Lesser Beasts.
Elder Huai’s eyelid twitched.
He immediately reached a conclusion: there had indeed been a Demon undergoing Thunder Tribulation just now—it was Shu Da.
He had survived the Lightning and successfully advanced to become a great Demon.
Luoyun Cave’s reign had changed.
On the ground lay the headless corpse of a Black Cat, confirming his judgment.
That was clearly Hong Lao San’s corpse.
Elder Huai immediately turned around and hurried back to the infirmary.
As the cave’s only Demon Doctor, whoever was in charge here, his position would not be affected.
No matter who became Master of the Cave, there would always be need for a doctor to sit in the mountain.
But Lin Xue, still lying unconscious in bed, was in a rather awkward situation now.
As Hong Yanzhi’s personal maid, who knew how Shu Da and Shu Er would deal with her.
Elder Huai had a hunch that Lin Xue’s future might not be promising.
Earlier today, when Shu Er had his leg trampled and broken by Hong Yanzhi and was brought to the infirmary by two Lesser Beasts for treatment, his beady eyes kept sneaking glances at the sleeping Lin Xue.
Now, with Shu Da killing Hong Lao San and snatching the Master’s seat, with one person’s success comes the rise of all around him—Shu Er’s status would naturally rise as well.
This beautiful Snake Spirit would likely already be in Shu Er’s sights.
Though Lin Xue’s cultivation wasn’t high, she had easily cured the stubborn poison in Hong Lao San’s body, earning Elder Huai’s admiration.
Moreover, her outstanding beauty made it easy for others to favor her.
Elder Huai himself had developed a bit of fondness for her, unwilling to see her sullied by that vile Shu Er.
And her cultivation, instead of weakening while she slept, actually rose—this aroused his great curiosity. He wanted to keep her in the infirmary and study this mystery.
He must not let that lecherous rat steal the Snake Spirit away.
Elder Huai hurried back to the infirmary, closed the door, and swiftly transformed his hands into several Tree Branches.
From the densely-packed crevices in the cave walls, he extracted a few medicinal herbs, rapidly mixed up a prescription, and placed it over the ground fire to brew.
Half a cup of tea’s time later, the medicine was ready.
He quickly fanned the bowl with a leaf to cool the decoction, then brought it to Lin Xue’s side, pried open her small mouth, and spooned the medicine in bit by bit.
After she’d finished the bowl, Lin Xue’s previously rosy cheeks quickly faded to a deathly pallor, her entire aura growing so weak that she seemed to return to the state she’d been in when first brought here days ago.
Elder Huai let out a sigh of relief.
This medicine was the fruit of his years of research. It made the patient appear gravely ill, as if on the verge of death, though in reality the body suffered no harm.
Today, it happened to be just what Lin Xue needed.
He had just put the medicine bowl away when the door to the infirmary burst open with a thud.
Shu Er, leaning on a crutch, entered with two Lesser Beasts in tow.
His eyes were bloodshot, his rat face brimming with barely-contained beastly desire, and as soon as he entered, he marched straight for Lin Xue’s sickbed.
Back in the hall, he had watched Shu Da indulge himself without restraint.
Since gaining sentience, Shu Er had never tasted such pleasures, and seeing this live show, his suppressed desires roiled like lava beneath a volcano, boiling and ready to explode.
Like all the Lesser Beasts, he had long fantasized about the tall, voluptuous Hong Yanzhi.
But the gap in status meant he had to keep those fantasies buried deep.
Now, having watched his object of fantasy be treated thus right before his eyes, how could he restrain the fire in his heart?
He had hoped to wait until Shu Da was finished, to see if he could sneak in for a taste, maybe get some leftovers.
But Shu Da’s stamina was immense—even after half an hour, there was no sign of stopping.
Shu Er, standing by, was close to bursting.
He desperately wanted to find a female Demon to satisfy himself.
However, among the Demon tribe, during funerals, only the deceased’s kin could attend—other female Demons were forbidden.
Thus, the hall was now full of male Demons; apart from Hong Yanzhi, there was not a single female Demon.
Suddenly, Shu Er remembered, when he had come to the infirmary earlier, being treated by Elder Huai after Hong Yanzhi stomped his leg, he’d seen Hong Yanzhi’s personal maid lying unconscious on the sickbed—a pretty Snake Spirit named Lin Xue.
She was unconscious, which was even better—no resistance.
So Shu Er, unable to wait any longer, charged into the infirmary with two Lesser Beasts.
Upon entering, he ignored Elder Huai and strode straight to Lin Xue’s bedside.
His burning gaze ran up and down Lin Xue’s alluring, delicate form as he panted heavily and reached out his hand.
A long Tree Branch extended in front of him, blocking his way.
Elder Huai’s displeased voice sounded from behind: “Shu Er, what do you think you’re doing?”
Shu Er turned around, annoyed at being interrupted.
He snorted and jerked his chin at Elder Huai, signaling to the Lesser Beasts behind him.
One of them stepped forward and announced smugly, “Elder Huai, maybe you haven’t heard yet. Our Shu Da has advanced to great Demon, killed Hong Lao San, and from now on, Luoyun Cave belongs to the Shu family.”
As he spoke, he bowed and pointed up at Shu Er, saying, “This here is our future Second Master of the Cave, Lord Shu Er.”
Shu Er stood with his hands on his hips, face full of pride and arrogance, head held high as he looked down his nose at Elder Huai.
Elder Huai’s face was expressionless. He only uttered an “Oh,” then said, “Then I must congratulate Lord Shu Er. But may I ask, what business brings you to my infirmary?”
Shu Er, seeing Elder Huai’s flat response, felt a bit disgruntled at the lack of respect.
But he was anxious to vent his beastly desire, and couldn’t be bothered with Elder Huai’s attitude.
Pointing at Lin Xue, he declared, “This female Demon is mine. You get out now. I’m going to consummate with her here.”
Before Elder Huai could respond, he eagerly turned back to Lin Xue, reaching out his filthy hand.
Once again, the Tree Branch blocked his way.
Shu Er turned to glare at Elder Huai.
Elder Huai sighed and said, “Lord Shu Er, are you trying to end this Snake Spirit’s life?”
He walked over and pointed at Lin Xue.
“Look at her face—there’s not a trace of blood. She’s been seriously injured, and I’ve kept her alive these days only with my medicine. After days of treatment, she’s just now showing a hint of improvement. Her body is still frail—how could she survive your tossing?”
“If you force her now, she’ll surely die!”
Shu Er looked where he pointed, at Lin Xue’s face.
She lay quietly on the bed, her beautiful but pale face marked with an unshakeable weariness.
She truly seemed to be in bad shape—so fragile it made one’s heart tremble, yet possessing a striking beauty that shook the soul.
Shu Er stared blankly for a moment, hesitating.
He thought, such a pretty female Demon, if he killed her in one go, it would be a real pity.
Better to wait until she’d recovered—then he could have her.
But right now, he was swollen and burning with desire, almost unbearably so.
What if, after she recovered, his big brother took a liking to her and made her a concubine? Wouldn’t he have to just watch, unable to taste her at all?
What should he do?
Seeing Shu Er’s hesitation, Elder Huai seized the moment to persuade him: “Second Lord, let this old man offer you a word of advice. If you want to advance to great Demon in the coming months, it’s best to restrain your desires. Absolutely do not lose your vital essence—it will increase your chances of surviving the Thunder Tribulation by several degrees.”
“If you throw away your life over something in your pants, wouldn’t that be a tremendous loss?”
Hearing this, Shu Er finally made up his mind to endure for now.
In half a month, his leg would be fully healed. Shu Da had promised to help him advance to Demon Core Condensation then.
The terrifying Thunder Tribulation that Shu Da had just endured had left a deep impression on Shu Er.
He seriously doubted whether he could survive it himself.
Now that Elder Huai told him he could increase his odds simply by abstaining for a while, he readily accepted.
In order to successfully advance and become a Demon Core Condensation, Shu Er decided to give up his “happiness” for the time being.
He cast one last reluctant glance at the sleeping Lin Xue, then gritted his teeth and said to the two Lesser Beasts behind him, “Let’s go!”
The three rat Demons turned and left the infirmary, heading back to the hall.
Elder Huai breathed a sigh of relief.
He closed the infirmary door and sat cross-legged at Lin Xue’s side.
Lin Xue still lay peacefully on the sickbed, utterly unaware that she had just escaped disaster—nearly sullied by a rat Demon while in her slumber.
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