The myriad beast forest near the Gingko village was a small part of a large region called Myriad Beast mountain ranges. Unlike the forest which only had a few second rank demonic beasts, the Myriad Beast Mountain ranges contained territories of many demon kings. Even Core Formation cultivators don't dare to take this place lightly.

  And now a newly formed demon king arrived here. But instead of trying to fight a demon king to occupy a high grade spirit land, it quietly found a low grade unoccupied place. It dug underground and made its new lair without even disturbing the demonic beast present in the area.

  The sandwyrm was tired and injured but still the embers of hatred remained glowing in its heart. It had easily killed and eaten the sword cultivator obstructing it, a single Foundation Establishment cultivator could never even dream of escaping if caught in the grasp of the demon king.

  But the smell was gone. The smell which it used to track the thief had disappeared into thin air. It had tried using its divine sense but the thief was nowhere to be found. He must have escaped from the forest and must be long gone.

  Because of that thief, it lost its precious treasure, got heavily injured and was forced to evolve into a demon king, severely damaging its foundation. Now its growth will forever remain stagnant. No amount of words would be enough for the sandwyrm to curse that thief.

  The sandwyrm was preparing for a long slumber to recover from its injuries. The only wish left in its life was to encounter the thief again in the future so that it could pay him back for taking everything for it.

  With these murderous thoughts, the sandwyrm finally closed its eyes. It will be a long time before it wakes up.

  ***

  "It must have been hard for you, Ning'er. You did pretty well." Su Ning was sitting on a chair in the courtyard overlooking the garden. Across the table was an old woman.

  The old woman had reached over the table and was patting her head with her thin wrinkled hands. Normally Su Ning would have her poker face, but within her presence she could freely show her emotions. And what she felt the most was guilt.

  It was a humble abode, a bamboo hut surrounded by a field of orchids. They were present in different variety of colours like pink, yellow and purple but its master would never enjoy the sight.

  The old woman's eyes were clouded gray, she was blind. Many top healers have tried to fix them but failed. Even more tragic was that she wasn't born blind. Once she lived in this colourful world but it was cruelly taken from her. Calling it the punishment of heavens, the old woman had long accepted and gotten over it.

  Her cultivation was the first realm of Core Formation but any expert could sense that she was far weaker than an average cultivator of the same realm. Her lifespan was also nearing its end.

  But in the Absolute Sword sect, no in the whole Jiang region, not even Nascent Soul cultivators would dare to be rude to her. Even the Heavenly Sword True Monarch claimed to be the strongest treats her with utmost respect.

  Her name was Gong Yuxian but she was known as the Great Wisdom Mother. She was the top divination expert in the Jiang region, an external elder in the Absolute Sword sect.

  In the many conflicts against the demonic cults, her divinations have prevented countless tragedies earning her the respect of nearly all important figures in the righteous path.

  Divination was a very dangerous path, many have had horrible deaths suffering divine punishment by the heavens for trying to peek at its secrets. Gong Yuxian who took such great risks for the righteous path, she was the person Su Ning respected the most, even more than her master.

  On the other hand, the Great Wisdom Mother had taken a liking to Su Ning because of a simple reason that both of their favourite flower were orchids. Su Ning became frequent visitor to her humble abode.

  "Grandma Yuxian did I cause the death of senior brother Su Feng? If I hadn't asked you to divine the location of a sandwyrm then senior brother wouldn't have died."

  She looked into the gray eyes of the Great Wisdom Mother trying to trying to figure out what she's thinking. But like how she couldn't see the colours of the world, the world could never look inside her mind.

  "You are quiet the overthinker Ning'er. Tell me did you desire the death of your senior brother?"

  "Of course not!" Feeling indignant Su Ning instantly replied. The Great Wisdom Mother chuckled at her shout.

  "See that's your answer. Ning'er, human will is a great driving force in shaping the future. Those who have underestimated it have paid dearly. A great will can even overturn the plans of the heavens.

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  "Since you never willed for it, no one can blame you for it. So cheer up."

  A small smile bloomed on her face. Grandma Yuxian always gave great advice which eased all her troubles.

  "Also congratulations for learning sword aura. I'm envious of your master. Finding a successor as good as you is the final wish of this old woman's life."

  The smile on Su Ning's face fell. Any mention of her approaching end always pricked Su Ning's heart. The Great Wisdom Mother picked up on that and quickly made a joke to dispel the gloomy atmosphere.

  "If nothing works maybe I will have to make a divination. I wonder what kind of person the heavens will pick as my successor. Maybe a rascal to torment me for constantly peeking into the future."

  Their time passed pleasantly and it was time for Su Ning to leave. But as she was about to, the Great Wisdom Mother suddenly asked, "What was the name of the boy you saved?"

  "Ling Yun. Why did Grandma Yuxian suddenly ask?" Not much of a storyteller, Su Ning had just told her a brief summary of the events. Ling Yun was hardly mentioned with most of the focus on the sandwyrm and the blood fiend.

  "Hmm, the thought just sprung in my mind." The Great Wisdom Mother pondered for a moment. For ordinary people it could be just a whim but diviners pay great attention to these sudden intuition. A simple gust of wind that catches their attention could be a hint on the movements of heavens.

  "Maybe that boy and you have formed karmic ties."

  Su Ning ignored what she said and left. She remembered his eyes glaring at her with hatred. Even if she believed she did the right thing then why did that look hurt? Either way Ling Yun would never want to se her again.

  I doubt we will meet ever again. Regardless of karmic ties....

  Oh no! I forgot to take back my spatial bracelet.

  ***

  "How is it progressing?" An imposing voice boomed in the entire hall. At one end was a throne surrounded by flames so hot that even Core Formation cultivators would dare not approch it. At the other end was a man kneeling at the entrance door. His limit was only that much, even taking a single step further would scorch him.

  Fen Duanhun who was kneeling started shivering in fear. Even though he was a Core Formation realm elder of the Burning Asura cult, infront of the Cursed Flame True Monarch he was nothing more than an insect that could be crushed with a thought.

  He had encountered a fortune and brought a girl with the Divine Pheonix Body to the sect. But instead of being rewarded, he was saddled with the responsibility of training the girl.

  'Turn that girl into a ruthless demon, a lethal weapon to be used by the sect.' These were the orders of the Cursed Flame True Monarch. The order was next to impossible but he dare not complain.

  The Cursed Flame True Monarch was already known for his short temper and recent injuries that have significantly reduced his lifespan have made him more volatile. It was a bizzare sight, the Core Formation elders which are so revered and feared, were walking on eggshells in the sect; constantly trembling in the fear of being called to meet the Cursed Flame True Monarch.

  Two have already been killed in his temper tantrums. And now he hoped it wasn't his turn.

  "My lord it's impossible. That girl doesn't possess the disposition of a cultivator. Everytime she only cries for her big brother. No matter how many times I've told her the news of his death, she refuses to believe.

  "Giving the Divine Pheonix Body to such a fragile young girl must be a prank by the heavens."

  Fen Duanhun had really tried his best. Forget training even getting her to eat was a big challenge. Ever since Yaoyao woke up she started bawling loudly. She had accused him of kidnapping her. After learning of her brother's demise, she refused to acknowledge him, let alone talk. He had tried to cajole her, using all sorts of tricks; when everything failed he threatened her with force.

  But she would never listen to him. Even when subjected to violence, she would die before breaking.

  The flames that were flickering wildly around the throne stopped. Fen Duanhun's heartbeat increased drastically.

  "So it really is impossible."

  "Yes my lord. Forgive this unworthy member but it's the truth."

  "Impossible for you, you INCOMPETENT TRASH!"

  The flames roared suddenly almost reaching the ceiling. Fen Duanhun immediately got up and looked at the silhouette sitting on the throne.

  "Forgive me, forgive me my lord. I spoke to hastily. Give me another chance, I promise to turn her to- AAAHHHHH!"

  A gust of wind rose and blew the ash out of the throne room.

  "Why do I even have these people if I have to do everything by myself?"

  The flames suddenly extinguished without a sound covering the entire hallway in darkness.

  Yaoyao was sitting on the bed. Her cheeks were wet with tears. It had been a few months since she arrived here. She had been so shocked at not finding her brother beside her.

  Everyday that bad man came and threatened her. Sometimes he would even hit her. But the worst thing he did was speak lies about her brother dying.

  Her brother loved her so much. He would never leave her alone. These bad people, all of them are liars.

  Only the thought of her big brother coming back to get her kept her alive. Big brother will definitely come. He will save me.

  She has repeated these thoughts many times like a mantra. But for the first time a new thought appeared in her mind.

  How long you are going to act helpless? Big brother is trying is best to save me and I am doing nothing.

  Am I being a burden to big brother?

  Yes I am. I can't just stay still. I have to get stronger. That bad man was offering train me.

  But how can I trust him? He is so scary, he repeatedly hits me.

  So what if he's scary, let's just use him. Big brother must be in so much pain. Just think of big brother.

  Right. I have to help big brother in everyway that I can. No matter how scary these people are, I will train to become stronger so when big brother comes to save me, I don't become a burden to him.

  Yes all for big brother.

  All for big brother.

  Unknown to her, her eyes flashed with a red glint for a moment but a new resolve was born in Yaoyao's heart. She is now ready to face her fears and endure everything in order to get stronger.

  ***

  A demon king, a core disciple of the top righteous sect and a newly formed member of the demonic cult. All three were far different from each other yet their fates connected to a single man.

  The day will soon arrive when they meet him again.