The vast square was filled only with sharp intakes of breath.

This sound accompanied Fen Wanli’s booming voice as he announced each congratulatory gift one by one.

Any single item presented by the Demon Prison Sect was a peerless, rare treasure capable of inciting bloody conflict in the cultivation world.

These were things countless cultivators dared not even dream of.

Breathing became ragged.

Simultaneously, they were deeply shaken by the Demon Prison Sect’s immense wealth and sheer audacity.

It only confirmed that the Yin Sha Sect and the Demon Prison Sect achieving equal renown was no accident; neither was an easy power to contend with.

"Ten top-grade Spirit Stones..." When Fen Wanli finished reading the lengthy gift list, even sect masters like the Old Ancestor of Ten Thousand Ghosts were struck mute with fear.

Involuntarily, just like Lei Dong, their drive to reach the Nascent Soul stage surged immeasurably.

Yet, Tian Mo remained utterly unruffled throughout, her eyes showing no ripple of emotion; she appeared completely serene.

This only deepened Fen Wanli’s respect for Lord Tian Mo; truly worthy of the title, a Heavenly Demon who had (fought her way through) countless Golden Core cultivators’ lives.

Facing such a weighty gift that made Fen Wanli himself feel faint, she remained still and composed.

The Demon Prison Sect elders were willing to spend so lavishly on this grand offering for two reasons: first, to celebrate Tian Mo’s joyful ascension to Nascent Soul; the gift could not be too light lest it disgrace them.

Second, they likely wished to display the Demon Prison Sect’s presence and might before the assembled heroes of the world.

A reminder to the myriad figures of the (Evil Path) that the Demon Prison Sect was in no way inferior to the currently ascendant Yin Sha Sect.

"Your sect is too kind," Tian Mo spoke with a placid tone, effortlessly flicking out an object shrouded in red mist: "A mere return gift, please do not mock my humble offering..." Fen Wanli waved his hand to draw the object toward him.

Unexpectedly, the mass of red mist drifted on leisurely, utterly unaffected by his suction force.

His already dark-red face flushed several shades deeper.

He had no choice but to wait obediently until the object floated right before him, carefully receiving it with both hands.

As the red mist dissipated, Fen Wanli's tall frame suddenly began to tremble violently, and his eyes blazed with fiery light.

He swiftly tucked the item into his Qiankun bracelet, then, with a sharp bang, dropped to both knees, bowing deeply to Tian Mo several times.

His voice was choked and trembling: "Thank you, Your Excellency, for this bounty.

Your immense virtue and kindness, Wanli shall engrave in his heart forever.

Should Your Excellency have any command in the future, Just signal me, and even if it means walking through mountains of blades or seas of fire, Wanli shall not hesitate for a moment.

Wanli is presently consumed with anxiety; I beg Your Excellency’s understanding." Tian Mo gave a cool, indifferent nod.

Boom—Fen Wanli’s body erupted into a sea of blazing, dark-red flames, shooting toward the sky, leaving a long fiery tail as he hurtled toward the firmament.

In an instant, he vanished.

Of course, this rapid exit was only permitted because the elders managing the mountain protection array respected the occasion and the Demon Prison Sect.

Otherwise, no matter how powerful and domineering Fen Wanli was, escaping at that speed without harm would have been impossible.

The Yin Sha Sect's mountain protection array was hardly a mere decoration.

Witnessing this scene, the crowd fell into a stunned silence, filled with ineffable awe.

This was followed by a rustle of hushed whispers.

Everyone began debating what item Lord Tian Mo had given Fen Wanli?

Why would he utter words after receiving that object—words that practically commanded him to sacrifice his life?

He didn't even stay for the banquet.

Forget them; even the Old Ancestors of the various branches of the Yin Sha Sect exchanged perplexed glances.

What exactly had their Lord Tian Mo produced?

It could make the renowned general of the Demon Prison Sect, Fen Wanli, lose control so utterly?

Regardless of the mystery, this single act had significantly bolstered the prestige of the Yin Sha Sect.

The various Old Ancestors straightened their chests with pride.

Lei Dong was also intensely curious, secretly sending a divine sense message to his master, the Old Ancestor of Ten Thousand Ghosts, to inquire.

The Old Ancestor of Ten Thousand Ghosts truly did not know what the item was, causing him embarrassment, yet he felt compelled to maintain his dignity.

In a fit of mortified anger, he snapped: "In matters like this, one should observe more and question less.

Commit it to memory.

You are only at the first layer of Foundation Establishment; asking about that item would be useless to you anyway." Lei Dong sweated internally, realizing that with his own perception, his master likely had no clue either.

His inquiry had only made him look foolish.

Still, he found it amusing; when he did know something, he would usually lecture his two disciples behind him about it.

But when he himself was ignorant, he resorted to such a retort.

Naturally, Lei Dong did not take offense; in fact, it made his master seem more genuine.

With an awkward smile, he ceased his questioning.

Although he still harbored a complex feeling toward Tian Mo, he had to admit that today was an incredible education in worldly matters.

The array of figures and treasures truly presented a dazzling spectacle.

"Fen Wanli’s master, the Blazing Fire Emperor, is not in good health.

Ten years ago, he suffered qi deviation while forcefully attempting to break through the Heavenly Fire Nine Revolutions, a clear case of playing with fire and getting burned.

He is currently sealed deep beneath the Northern Ice Plateau, ten thousand li down.

The Demon Prison Sect has deliberately concealed this matter for fear that old foes might take advantage of his weakness.

This object is called the Heart of Purgation Magic (Lian Fu Mo Xin).

It is only occasionally found in the deepest regions of the Purgatory Lands.

It is the ultimate object of supreme Yang and supreme Demonic essence in the world.

If the Blazing Fire Emperor refines it, not only will his chronic ailment be cured, but his Heavenly Fire Nine Revolutions might even reach great completion." Tian Mo’s cold, yet somewhat low and husky voice drifted into his ear.

She was actually explaining the context and consequences of that item to him.

Lei Dong froze on the spot.

Why?

Given her temperament and nature, why would she explain this to him?

Was she trying to torment him, or trying to help him?

He did not know that Tian Mo’s own state of mind was in tumultuous flux.

She still wanted to strike him down with one palm—this person who had caused her to experience emotional turbulence she had never known in her entire life.

But when it came to the action, she simply could not bring herself to do it.

Hearing Lei Dong’s apparent strong interest in the Heart of Purgation Magic, she had subconsciously elaborated a few sentences for his benefit.

Even she didn't know why she couldn't resist sending that divine transmission; it was an instinct, a feminine instinct she possessed.

And Tian Mo had never been one to hide her true feelings.

"If you like these things, you may pick a few to keep.

However, by the rules, the vast majority of these must go into the sect’s treasury.

Firstly, return gifts are funded by the sect, and secondly, they offer such a grand gift not simply because of my personal standing.

Without the backing of the sect’s might, they wouldn't have offered even one-tenth of this." Tian Mo, realizing that she hadn't exchanged a single word with Ding Wanyan in the past little while, felt a subtle sense of comfort and joy, a nameless surge of exhilaration.

Seeing that he seemed covetous of these treasures, she felt she should give him something.

It could be considered compensation for nearly killing him back then.

Tian Mo manufactured this excuse for herself.

Giving him something?

Lei Dong was equally stunned and uncertain.

How could this be possible?

Could it be that after their one night of shared fate, this Heavenly Demon had truly developed feelings for him?

However, the disparity in their strength and status was like the gulf between heaven and earth.

Even if the two could somehow coexist, Lei Dong felt the prospects were grim.

Tian Mo was not only immensely powerful—far surpassing his own master—but it was clear she was an extremely dominating individual.

Even if Lei Dong sought a companion, he would not favor an overly assertive woman.

He greatly preferred women like his Eldest Martial Sister: gentle, delicate, like a trickling stream.

True, Tian Mo was powerful and wealthy.

Just a fraction of what slipped through her fingers would suffice for his extremely lavish cultivation needs, and if Tian Mo truly spared no expense, it could vastly increase his chances of reaching the Golden Core stage.

But what would be the outcome?

The result would be him becoming her pet, a male consort?

She rewards him if she likes him, and punishes or kills him if she doesn't?

What meaning would a Golden Core achieved through such charity have?

Indeed, Lei Dong desperately wished to attain the Great Dao of the Golden Core; he dreamed of it.

Any other person, if courted with vast resources for the sake of longevity and strength, might have surrendered and compromised.

But for Tian Mo—this woman who had carved an indelible mark upon his heart with her peerless beauty and her ruthless, icy demeanor—he possessed an unresolved emotional attachment to her.

He was determined, within his lifetime, to surpass her in cultivation, to make her experience what it felt like to be dominated by superior force.

Moreover, accepting her charity would mean sacrificing all his dignity, forcing him to live subserviently forever.

Where would that leave his deeply devoted Eldest Martial Sister?

Where would that leave his own pride?

He, a man of substance, possessed an unyielding backbone.

How could he possibly tolerate living by bowing and scraping to a woman for sustenance?

At this moment, Lei Dong completely forgot that he had indeed bowed and scraped before his Ancestors and other figures.

Where was his backbone then?

Yet, toward Tian Mo, it was purely instinctive; he even refused to kneel and offer congratulations.

Perhaps even he was unaware of the unique, special nature of his feelings for the Heavenly Demon.

"Thank you, but I don't need it." Lei Dong did not use divine sense; he merely uttered these words in a near-whisper, as if talking to himself.

The voice was soft, yet carried a cold caution, a resolute finality.

If he had messaged Tian Mo directly, others would have noticed.

It was better to speak aloud as if muttering to himself.

Ding Wanyan and the Old Ancestor of Ten Thousand Ghosts were both perplexed and about to ask him what was wrong, when another streak of light tore across the sky, shooting directly toward the main dais.

Its aura was imposing and sharp, like a keen sword piercing through the clouds.

"Lang Na Mountain’s Star Tower, sent by my master to congratulate Lord Tian Mo on reaching great perfection in the Nascent Soul realm.

Unparalleled under heaven, may your lifespan rival the heavens!" The resulting shockwave of sound was enough to deafen anyone, causing the assembled spectators to gasp in alarm.

Lang Na Mountain was one of the eight top-tier sects in the world, yet their path differed from the Yin Sha Sect; they were not aligned.

In fact, they were considered staunch antagonists.

Was this person here to offer congratulations or to instigate trouble?

"Insolent junior!" an aged voice boomed from nowhere, poised to activate the mountain protection array and annihilate the intruder.

"Let him enter," Tian Mo’s cold, yet somewhat low and husky voice commanded.

(Third update done; there will be one more tonight.

X)