Chapter 37: You Shall Be My Woman for the Rest of Your Life

Jiang Xuan spat out blood in a wretched state, the crimson liquid staining his tattered green robes. He had paid a heavy price to utter those words, but fortunately, the outcome was favorable.

Three great demons lay beside the Empress and the others, and not far away remained the mangled, less-than-half-intact corpse of the "Hot-Headed Kid." Slaying the three great demons had consumed much time, so Jiang Xuan did not dally. He took out Tier 1 beast cores and Spirit-Replenishing Pills, feeding them to his companions. With the pills in short supply, he had to break them in half to distribute among them. For himself, he consumed a Tier 2 beast core and a Blood-Stabilizing Pill.

It was only now that Jiang Xuan truly realized the importance of medicinal pills. There was no helping it; life in the Outer Domain had been far too comfortable. Once his remaining subordinates broke through to the rank of Great Demon, he would finally obtain the alchemy divine ability, the "Hundred-Refinement Alchemy Canon"—the very skill he desired most.

Having defeated three Tier 4 or 5 great demons while only at Tier 2, Jiang Xuan felt little excitement after his display of bravado. He knew well that the three great demons had already been significantly drained by the Empress and her group. Jiang Xuan understood that with his current capabilities, he was at most a match for a Tier 5 great demon.

The most pressing matter was to find a hiding spot immediately. The recent battle would surely have alerted other great demons in the vicinity. One wave of trouble had barely passed, and another was already brewing; Jiang Xuan was in no position to handle that.

...

At the edge of the barrier, Jiang Xuan leaned against a tree branch, snoring. After a long search, he had failed to find a sanctuary as idyllic as the previous blessed cave. With no other choice, he dug a hole himself and constructed a defensive array for protection. During that time, seven or eight great demons had come prowling. Jiang Xuan had exhausted all his pills, fighting with his life to protect his subordinates.

Days passed in a blur. Jiang Xuan drifted in and out of consciousness, losing track of time. Fortunately, the Demon Lord and the Empress finally awakened.

"My true self recognizes you," the Demon Lord muttered, still unable to shift into human form, standing beneath the tree and looking up. "Jiang Xuan, remember this: from this day forward, I harbor no intent to oppose you. In my past life, I committed countless slaughters; all living things were but blades of grass to me. But in this life, I am willing to acknowledge you as my older brother."

"How melodramatic. Stop disturbing my sleep," Jiang Xuan turned away, tears welling in his eyes. The nerve of this guy! After spending so much time together, he had finally said something human. Even a white-eyed wolf would have grown familiar after sleeping side-by-side for so long, yet this fellow had waited until now!

"Jiang Xuan, I thank you," the Empress said. Her voice, perhaps due to weakness, had shifted from a commanding tone to something soft and sweet, a melody that made Jiang Xuan’s heart flutter.

"Empress, I’ve acquired a dual-cultivation technique recently. You..."

"You lecherous scoundrel! Hold your tongue!" the Empress snapped. "I never practiced dual cultivation in my past life, and that will never change in this one!"

"Hey, just consider it," Jiang Xuan interrupted. "Dual cultivation allows for mutual enhancement; our cultivation speed would double." He paused, then added firmly, "But even if you don't practice with me, remember: in this life, you are mine."

"You! What did you say!"

Jiang Xuan glanced down and felt only one thing: satisfaction! He hadn't been wrong. The Empress’s tsundere nature was simply a matter of needing to be conquered. As long as he was bold and assertive, everything was within his grasp. Besides, looking across the entire Beast Forest, he didn't believe anyone possessed greater talent than he did. If he weren't worthy of the Empress, who would be?

"Hmph! Are you two trying to disgust me?" the Demon Lord grumbled. "Boy, rest well! I’m going to eat. If something happens, it’ll be my turn to protect you!"

"I also need to recover," the Empress added. "I shall return to the cave."

"Hey, you two! Save some for the others! Don't eat it all!" Jiang Xuan shouted after them. "They need to become Great Demons so I can refine pills for you! Dammit!"

Watching them vanish, Jiang Xuan cursed from his branch. Still, he breathed a sigh of relief. Without pills, even having spirit herbs was useless—the efficacy wasn't enough. Recovery required sleep, and some injuries wouldn't heal from rest alone. With the Empress and the Demon Lord back in action, they had a much better chance against any invading beasts.

*Ding!*

"Host's subordinate has broken through to Great Demon rank. Obtained one Tier 2 beast core!"
"Host's subordinate has broken through to Great Demon rank. Obtained one Tier 2 beast core!"
"Host's subordinate has broken through to Great Demon rank. Obtained one Tier 2 beast core!"

As Jiang Xuan closed his eyes, the system's voice chimed in his mind—eleven times! No, twelve!

"All of the host's subordinates have reached Great Demon rank. Obtained alchemy divine ability: 'Hundred-Refinement Alchemy Canon'!"

It was here! It was finally here!

"You've kept me waiting until my flowers wilted!" Jiang Xuan grumbled inwardly. "This is like someone bringing toilet paper the moment you finish your business! Why not wait until I was dead and burn it for me?"

He was exasperated. It hadn't come early, it hadn't come late, but only after he had protected these guys through round after round of attacks, left with half a life remaining! If not for his stubborn constitution, he would have been dead long ago. The beasts that had attacked in recent days included a Tier 7 great demon; if Jiang Xuan hadn't repeatedly begged for mercy while launching sneak attacks and dirty tricks, he didn't know how high the grass on his grave would be by now. If he had these pills, he would have been a perpetual motion machine; he wouldn't have been pushed to this point.

"You little rascals, at least you were worth all the reward pills and meat I shoved into your mouths," he thought. "A pity about the Hot-Headed Kid and Orange. Alas, what is destined to be will be; do not force what is not meant for you."

With that, Jiang Xuan closed his eyes. He had no energy left to look at the *Hundred-Refinement Alchemy Canon*. After all, studying was an exhausting task.

...

In the Heng Domain, the Western Domain's Hundred Beast Sect.

"We have confirmed the identity of those who just arrived from the Outer Domain!"

"They killed three members of our sect! Even that Tier 7 Returning Swallow from the Tyrant Sect was slaughtered."

"Elder, the clues are consistent. For the past few days, all the missing beasts have been in the direction of the barrier."

Inside the sect, a man with a youthful face and white hair sat in a rocking chair, eyes closed, his expression grave.

"Investigate. We must get to the bottom of this."

"Remember, do not send any beasts below Tier 5. There is no need for a death match—simply clarify the situation and report back."

"Is that Golden Crow bloodline truly that formidable?"

"Oh, and one more thing: if you encounter members of the Tyrant Sect, kill them without mercy."

"Yes! Elder, rest assured, the mission will be accomplished!"