On Qinglan Peak of the Lingxiao Mountain Sect, clouds and mist lingered all year round, while bamboo forests stretched in abundance, making it an excellent place for cultivating one's character.
Shen Qingxuan stood with his hands clasped behind his back amidst the forest, listening to the faint sound of disciples reciting texts in the distance, yet his heart was desolate. He had transmigrated into a book, a stallion novel titled The Peerless Record of Immortals and Demons, and had become the cannon fodder master destined to be sliced into a human stick by the blackened male lead.
This identity sounded glamorous, but in reality, it was a death sentence.
The original owner, Shen Qingxuan, was a hypocrite. On the surface, he strictly disciplined his disciples, but in truth, he harbored malicious intentions. He was especially abusive toward the young male lead, Luo Hanchuan, who had yet to grow into his own. Now that this mess had landed in his lap, if he wanted to survive a bit longer in the cultivation world, his only way out was to cling tightly to the male lead's thigh.
But the problem was, the current Luo Hanchuan was still a vindictive little dark egg who wouldn't give him a chance to curry favor at all.
"This author is truly something else. Writing a stallion novel and still insisting on a dark-themed male lead who seeks an eye for an eye and pays back a thousandfold." Shen Qingxuan cursed the author, 'Lingxiao Feike', in his heart, before forcing himself to perk up and face reality.
The most urgent matter at hand was to figure out the capabilities of this body. The original owner was a Peak Master, after all; his cultivation and swordsmanship should be impressive. If he didn't even have the ability to protect himself, how could he talk about winning over the male lead? He probably wouldn't even survive the impending demon invasion.
He looked around, confirming that no one was nearby, before unfastening the sword at his waist.
This sword, 'Liufeng' (Flowing Wind), had a snow-white blade with a restrained luster; one look and you knew it was no ordinary item. Shen Qingxuan gripped the hilt, trying to recall the description of 'infusing spiritual energy' from the original novel. The moment the thought formed, he felt his palm heat up. The long sword seemed to sense something, and a translucent white light instantly began to flow along the blade.
It seemed the body's memory remained; he didn't need to learn these martial arts from scratch.
Shen Qingxuan felt reassured. He casually swung his sword forward.
This swing looked casual, but it actually contained the original owner's profound internal energy. With a soft chi sound, a dazzling sword radiance shot out like lightning. The ground ahead was instantly split open, creating a bottomless chasm. The edges of the cut were charred black, as if struck by lightning.
"Holy..."
Shen Qingxuan looked at the shocking fissure, expressionlessly whistled, but inside, he was blooming with joy.
This power was even more ferocious than he had imagined! With this kind of skill, even if he really pissed off Luo Hanchuan in the future, at least he could run away faster.
He was just thinking of trying a few more moves when he suddenly heard a rustle of footsteps in the distance.
Shen Qingxuan alertly restrained his aura, sheathed his sword, and with a flash, hid himself deep in the dense bamboo forest. The footsteps grew closer, accompanied by a girl's crisp voice.
"Ah Chuan, Ah Chuan, look! There's a huge ditch on the ground here!"
This voice... Shen Qingxuan raised an eyebrow.
The System bubbled up at the right moment: [New character appeared: Shen Qingxuan's youngest female disciple, Ning Ling'er.]
"Shut up, I don't need your introduction. The only one who calls Luo Hanchuan that is her," Shen Qingxuan snorted coldly in his mind.
Moments later, a boy and a girl walked out from the forest path.
The girl was about thirteen or fourteen, wearing her hair in playful double buns. Dressed in orange, she looked exceptionally lively—this was Ning Ling'er. Walking beside her was a boy. Though his clothes were plain, even somewhat shabby, they couldn't hide his handsome brows and eyes. This was the future Demon Lord, Luo Hanchuan.
It was just that the current Luo Hanchuan was still a pitiful little thing bullied by everyone.
Ning Ling'er pointed curiously at the fissure on the ground. "Did a senior brother leave this from sword practice? So cool."
Luo Hanchuan held a rusted axe in his hand. He glanced at the chasm and said indifferently, "On Qinglan Peak, only Master possesses such cultivation."
Shen Qingxuan hid in the dark, silently giving a thumbs up to this future Demon Lord: Kid's got good eyes.
Ning Ling'er didn't dwell on it. She plopped down on a large bluestone nearby, resting her chin in her hands. "Maybe it was struck by lightning. Hey, Ah Chuan, stop chopping. Play with me for a bit."
Luo Hanchuan ignored her whining, focused on raising his axe and bringing it down, struggling to chop the thick, hard wood. Sweat slid down his tender cheeks and dripped into the soil.
"Can't," Luo Hanchuan said muffledly. "Senior brothers' orders. Today's firewood must be finished. After that, I still have to carry water."
Ning Ling'er pouted in dissatisfaction. "Those senior brothers are just bullying you on purpose! Wait till I tell Master. I'll make sure they never order you around again."
Shen Qingxuan's heart skipped a beat: Please don't! If you go tattle, won't I become a good master who protects his own? My character design is already collapsing, do you want to destroy it completely?
Unexpectedly, Luo Hanchuan stopped his actions. He looked at Ning Ling'er earnestly. "Absolutely not. I don't want Master to be troubled by such trifles. The senior brothers mean no harm; they just want to give me more opportunities for training."
Shen Qingxuan felt a wave of goosebumps, yet his heart ached a little. This child was sensible to a heartbreaking degree.
Sadly, this purity would soon vanish without a trace, replaced by endless darkness and hatred.
Just as Shen Qingxuan was sighing, a messy sound of footsteps suddenly came from the front, accompanied by a few frivolous laughs and jeers.
"Little Junior Sister! So you ran off here!"
Several male disciples wearing sect uniforms walked out swaggering. The one in the lead stared straight at Ning Ling'er, his face full of smiles.
Ning Ling'er furrowed her brows, ignoring that person, and only said to Luo Hanchuan, "Look, they're here again."
The lead disciple was named Ming Yuan. He usually looked down on Luo Hanchuan, an outer disciple. Seeing Luo Hanchuan sitting there, he treated him as thin air, focusing only on fawning over Ning Ling'er. "Little Junior Sister, the back mountain is dangerous. There are many wild beasts and poisonous snakes. Come back with Senior Brother. I have something good to show you."
Seeing this, Luo Hanchuan silently stood up and retreated to the side. He lowered his head and eyes, calling out submissively, "Senior Brother Ming Yuan."
Ming Yuan didn't even lift an eyelid, as if he hadn't heard at all.
Shen Qingxuan hid in the shadows, watching this scene, and his brows gradually furrowed.