Yan Jiaojiao held her breath, focusing her senses. They were all cultivators, sensitive to such disturbances, yet why did no other disciples react?
"They must be fast asleep," a low voice from outside the tent reached her ears. It was Chen Bingbing.
Then, Yan Ruxue's voice followed, "Definitely. That's a sleeping agent specifically for cultivators. Everyone drank from that pot of mushroom soup earlier, I saw it."
Yan Jiaojiao finally understood. It was Yan Ruxue and Chen Bingbing who had put the sleeping agent in the soup. She was immune to all poisons, which was why she hadn't fainted.
However, Yan Jiaojiao decided to observe the situation and quietly lay back down on the simple cot, feigning unconsciousness.
Tents were unzipped one by one. Yan Ruxue and Chen Bingbing used their spiritual energy to drag the unconscious bodies out, arranging them side by side under the dim moonlight, as if preparing for some kind of ritual.
Next, Yan Ruxue produced an object, murmured an incantation to activate it, and a red light flashed outside. Someone descended from the air, and as they spoke, Yan Jiaojiao recognized Tang Xiye's voice.
"You've done well," Tang Xiye praised.
Yan Jiaojiao's brow furrowed. She suddenly understood. It seemed Tang Xiye had deliberately lured the demonic eagles, forcing Yan Ruxue and Chen Bingbing to work for her while she hid in the shadows to reap the benefits.
But why would Tang Xiye do this?
Yan Jiaojiao was truly perplexed and had no choice but to continue her pretense.
"Begin, the hour is almost upon us," Tang Xiye commanded Yan Ruxue and Chen Bingbing.
The two then drew their daggers and began to crouch beside the unconscious disciples, slitting their arms one by one. Blood flowed out.
Yan Jiaojiao endured the pain, allowing Yan Ruxue to cut her arm. Furthermore, due to Yan Ruxue's personal vendetta, the cut on Yan Jiaojiao's arm was deeper than the others.
As blood flowed, Tang Xiye began to fly in the air, her steps tracing a spiritual energy array above them.
The formation was complex and ever-changing. As Tang Xiye was about to complete the final few steps, Yan Jiaojiao recognized it – it was an ancient summoning array!
What was Tang Xiye summoning that required such a grand effort, even resorting to eliminating extraneous individuals, leaving precisely ten people aside from Yan Ruxue and Chen Bingbing?
Thinking this, Yan Jiaojiao was shocked again. When she and Xiao Su had gone to rescue Wen Jinshu, Tang Xiye had already predicted that she would bring them back safely!
With this realization, Tang Xiye was only two steps away from completion. Yan Jiaojiao hesitated no longer, immediately flipping over, intending to stand up and stop the array from activating.
To her surprise, Yan Jiaojiao found she couldn't move at all. She had been bound by a spell, her limbs completely restrained!
The moment Yan Jiaojiao opened her eyes, Tang Xiye, who was drawing the array in mid-air, suddenly looked down and then flashed a cold, eerie smile at Yan Jiaojiao.
So, she had known all along that Yan Jiaojiao was faking it!
"Let me go! Tang Xiye, what exactly do you want to do!"
Yan Jiaojiao shouted, then glanced at Yan Ruxue and Chen Bingbing beside her. The two stood like puppets, neither fearful nor joyful, simply watching everything with an ominous presence.
Had they been soul-enslaved?
Yan Jiaojiao's brow furrowed. Tang Xiye was far from simple, possessing such sinister arts!
Tang Xiye had already drawn the final stroke of the array, leaping gracefully to the ground. She looked at Yan Jiaojiao and sneered, "I knew you were awake. It's good this way, you can witness my grand summoning!"
With that, Tang Xiye began to activate the array. The blood from the ten people's arms flowed like threads towards the array in the sky, dyeing the previously transparent lines red. The array began to rotate, and as it spun faster, more and more of their blood was injected into it.
Soon, Yan Jiaojiao felt dizzy and faint, experiencing symptoms of severe blood loss!
The crimson array was now spinning at high speed, emitting a powerful radiance that illuminated the night.
Amidst this magnificent, powerful light, a figure gradually materialized. It was a fallen angel with black hair and raven wings!
The Demon King, Anuoxi!
A potent demonic energy was released, pressing down on the lying Yan Jiaojiao, making it difficult to breathe. The only relief was that the array had finally stopped draining their blood.
Tang Xiye then prostrated herself on the ground, her forehead pressed firmly against the earth. With a trembling, devout, and humble voice, she spoke, "My Lord, Demon King Anuoxi, behold, the demoness Xiye pays her respects."
Anuoxi unfurled his black wings. His handsome and alluring face showed no emotion, and his pale blue eyes were filled with indifference. Upon closer inspection, they bore an eight-tenths resemblance to Xuan Chen, save for the more devilishly charming and demonic nature of his face.
However, anyone who had seen Xuan Chen would inevitably draw a connection between the two.
Coupled with Tang Xiye's increasingly bizarre actions, and her ability to summon Anuoxi, who hadn't appeared in a millennium, it became even more suspicious!
"For what purpose have you awakened me?"
Anuoxi had not spoken aloud, yet his voice was clearly transmitted to everyone present.
Tang Xiye looked up excitedly. In the dim moonlight, Yan Jiaojiao saw a dark mark suddenly appear on Tang Xiye's brow, unmistakably the mark of a demon realm handmaid!
Tang Xiye was actually from the demon realm!
It seemed to explain Tang Xiye's volatile temper; her actions were clearly indicative of a demon realm individual's personality.
Yan Jiaojiao felt increasingly terrified. Even if she had hidden her demonic energy deeply, ordinary cultivators might not notice, but how could Xuan Chen, a master on the verge of ascension, not have discovered it?
Yet, not only did Xuan Chen not speak of it, but he doted on Tang Xiye immensely. Combined with Xuan Chen's striking resemblance to Anuoxi, Yan Jiaojiao couldn't convince herself that there was nothing amiss.
"Demon King Anuoxi is to awaken. Your handmaid was specifically ordered to rouse you," Tang Xiye said, unable to conceal her excitement. "The time has come."
In contrast to Tang Xiye's fervent enthusiasm, Anuoxi's aura grew colder. He slightly raised his hand, his fingertips twitching. A bolt of black lightning struck Tang Xiye with extreme speed!
"Acting on your own!"
Anuoxi's displeased voice echoed.
Suddenly struck and severely injured, Tang Xiye's lips bled a trickle of dark ink. Her excitement vanished, replaced by a stubborn defiance. "Demon King, the demon realm has fallen into disarray during your thousand-year slumber. Should you not open your eyes and see? The demon realm needs your leadership!"
Anuoxi clearly showed no interest in the affairs of the demon realm. He asked indifferently, "Has he awakened?"