Chapter 62

Before leaving, Ye Xinyu and Hu Mengmeng made several arrangements.

Hu Mengmeng’s newly contracted demon, the little black cat, was left behind to look after the Ye family ancestral home. The black cat shared a special connection with Hu Mengmeng; she could clearly sense its emotions. Even from a distance, Hu Mengmeng could perceive the general situation at the Ye house through its senses.

The others—Huo Zhilan, Su Mingli, and Ye Shoutian—all remained at the ancestral home. As for Hu Qingqing, she was detained in a specialized room within the villa. In addition to the layers of physical and spiritual locks, Hu Mengmeng forced Hu Qingqing to take a blood oath promising not to harm anyone in the Ye household, just in case she somehow managed to escape. Combined with the Ye family’s existing security measures, the home was relatively safe.

Ye Xinyu originally intended for Ye Shoutian’s contracted tortoise to stay behind, but the creature insisted on coming along.

“Your Grandpa Turtle is familiar with the water and understands sea demons. You have a lot to do on the island this time. Many cultivators will be gathered there; it’s better if he goes with you. As for the Ye family, you’ve gone on trips before—what could happen? Does the Ou family dare to barge in here? This old bone of mine isn’t worth anything to them anyway,” Ye Shoutian said, insisting that Ye Xinyu take the tortoise.

The tortoise was a land-based demon, but it could swim. Since the island hosting the Hidden Sect Assembly was surrounded by water, the tortoise’s presence would be a deterrent, regardless of whether it actually participated in the fights. Seeing as Ye Shoutian was acting as if he wouldn’t take his medicine unless they took the tortoise, Ye Xinyu eventually agreed.

Hu Mengmeng knew the deep bond between Ye Shoutian and the tortoise; if the tortoise wanted to follow, it was because Ye Shoutian was worried about them. Having the tortoise with them provided a far more accurate line of communication than the little black cat could offer. Because of the same poison that afflicted Ye Shoutian, the tortoise’s legs were damaged and it couldn’t walk, but it could move independently using the specialized rollers installed under its shell.

The group set off in high spirits toward the assembly’s location. They first took a car to the coast, where a private Ye family yacht was waiting. They boarded and headed for Whale Shark Island, situated about two hours from the mainland—not too far, but well within the coastal waters.

Once on the boat, Ye Xinyu began to feel unwell. Hu Mengmeng stayed in the cabin with her [bailiantales.com]to soothe her pregnancy.

“I’m a land demon, so I’m instinctively afraid of water. Maybe the little one is scared too,” Hu Mengmeng said to Ye Xinyu as she comforted the “little fellow.”

“Can it perceive the outside world? It might just be me being seasick,” Ye Xinyu replied, leaning back lazily on the sofa. Her eyes were closed, and her expression was neutral, though she radiated an air of languid grace.

Hu Mengmeng’s estrus period had passed successfully, yet Ye Xinyu remained an object of immense attraction to her, no matter what she was doing. Before, she had an excuse to initiate closeness; now that it was over and Ye Xinyu had been busy for days, they hadn’t been intimate at all.

Hu Mengmeng was a bit uncertain about Ye Xinyu’s actual attitude toward her. Ye Xinyu would get shy and would help her with “those things,” but no matter how excited Hu Mengmeng got, Ye Xinyu always appeared calm and professional, as if she were simply performing a duty or a favor. At most, her ears would turn red.

“You are my contracted demon; you can only carry my scent. I have a cleanliness obsession,” was how Ye Xinyu had explained it.

During the heights of passion, Hu Mengmeng had whispered countless sweet nothings, but Ye Xinyu never responded to a single one. If Hu Mengmeng tried to tease her too shamelessly, she would get angry, release a “cold aura,” and drive her away. Yet, Ye Xinyu was also incredibly good to her—meticulous, gentle, and always thinking ahead to take care of her emotions and enlighten her. Hu Mengmeng felt she had already fallen completely, but the disparity in their outward feelings made things feel strange. Perhaps they just needed more time to adjust to one another.

“Sister, how are you feeling now?” Hu Mengmeng asked after the baby settled down.

“Much better,” Ye Xinyu said, opening her eyes slowly.

“That’s good. Did you used to get seasick? Is the bailiantales.com Hidden Sect Assembly always held on an island?”

“The assembly is always held in a location with abundant spiritual energy—usually the residence of one of the hidden families. This time, the Qi family of the Pill Sect is hosting. An assembly hosted by the Pill Sect is the premier event for trading spiritual herbs and medicine. It’s what members of the hidden sects look forward to most,” Ye Xinyu explained.

“Does the Pill Sect focus on alchemy? Sister, you said before that the Pill Sect is the wealthiest—shouldn’t it be the Talisman Sect? Miss Gu’s talismans are so expensive.”

“In recent years, spiritual plants have become scarce, and both talisman crafting and alchemy rely on them. The supply of what can be produced is limited. However, the Pill Sect branched out and developed a beauty industry. They founded several cosmetic brands that are popular with ordinary people. Through that mass-market reach, they’ve accumulated massive wealth. The Talisman Sect’s charms are expensive because the raw materials are costly, and the success rate for passive-trigger charms is low, meaning fewer people buy them.”

“I see,” Hu Mengmeng realized.

“Keep a close eye on the people I told you about. If they approach you and are worth befriending, don’t avoid them. You are currently my contracted servant; use that identity. Try to hide your cultivation level a bit if you can. I’m not sure if you can hide your bloodline—last time, Hu Qingqing called you ‘Highness.’ It seems the bloodline of the Mount Qi main branch is quite precious.”

“Sister, as long as I don’t transform into my full fox form, no one can tell my bloodline. I know how to hide my strength; I understand the logic,” Hu Mengmeng assured her. She didn’t fully grasp the significance of the “main branch” bloodline either, though it sounded impressive.

Ye Xinyu had equipped Hu Mengmeng with numerous talismans, arming her so thoroughly that she could battle a low-level Great Demon even if she were a normal human.

As the yacht sailed on, they entered a misty patch of sea. Ye Xinyu went out to guide the captain. The island was protected by an array; entering required not only an invitation but also knowledge of the specific route. Trespassing blindly would be extremely dangerous.

As the boat drew closer, the island’s full silhouette came into view. Close by were sandy beaches; further in were dense forests and high mountains shrouded in swirling clouds, giving it a mysterious atmosphere. After Ye Xinyu’s boat signaled, a smaller vessel guided them to the harbor to dock and disembark. Hu Mengmeng followed Ye Xinyu and the tortoise.

From afar, it looked like a desolate island, but the interior revealed a modern spectacle: magnificent buildings and various entertainment facilities that were dazzling to behold. The island felt like a secret luxury resort. The wealth of the Pill Sect was clearly on display.

“Sister, there are so many people here! Are they all cultivators and demon hunters?” Hu Mengmeng asked in surprise. She had thought cultivators were few and far between, but seeing them concentrated on this island, there were so many.

“Not all of them. The Pill Sect also opens this place to wealthy individuals for convalescence—the price is exorbitant,” Ye Xinyu said.

Hu Mengmeng felt like a country bumpkin entering the big city. They arrived at the hotel and registered for two rooms: one for the tortoise, and one for Ye Xinyu and Hu Mengmeng. The tortoise looked after itself, moving toward its room with practiced ease.

Their room was equivalent to a presidential suite, with multiple rooms, a kitchen, a private swimming pool, and a balcony with a sea view.

“The kitchen is a private one. Some people are quite particular and prefer to prepare their own food, or they bring their own chefs. It’s better for privacy. If you want to swim, you can. Take this map and keep it on you,” Ye Xinyu explained, seeing Hu Mengmeng’s dazed look.

The map was a standard guide for guests, indicating the open trading zones and listing the auction items for the first five days. After resting for a while, they decided to head out to buy some spiritual fruit and meat for Ye Xinyu.

Edible spiritual fruits and herbs were generally sold to the Pill Sect or the Taoist medical lineage, as they had the means to refine them into an edible state. They could handle spiritual meat as well. Usually, other people bought these items to satisfy the cravings of their contracted demons.

“This area sells ordinary goods; generally bailiantales.comnothing high-grade, but there will be standard spiritual fruits and meat,” Ye Xinyu said, leading Hu Mengmeng into a building according to the map.

Inside, the counters were like those in a shopping mall, with various items displayed in glass cases. The first floor held fruits, the second held meat, the third held herbs, and the fourth held pills. After browsing for a while, they bought several items that Ye Xinyu liked and that the “little fellow” needed, placing them in their cart.

“Ye Xinyu, so you really do have a contracted servant now. Tsk tsk, what a shame. Such a stunning beauty, serving a dull person like you—what a waste.”

Just as they finished their purchase, a sneering voice drifted over.

“Ou Shixing, don’t think I don’t know what you’ve done. You don’t need to pity others; worry about your own luck instead,” Ye Xinyu said coldly, glancing at the newcomer.

Hu Mengmeng had killed Ou Shixing’s contracted demon, the Viper; he had essentially lost a powerful limb and suffered mental trauma—a classic case of “going for the wool and coming home shorn.” Ou Shixing was no longer pretending to be a gentleman, his gaze lingering on them without reservation.

“Oh, I’m so scared. You’re the only woman left in your family; shouldn’t you hurry up and marry into a powerful family to get some support? What good can you do on your own? Think you’re special just because you have a servant? After stalling for so many years to pick the best, look what you chose. She looks quite ordinary, tsk tsk,” Ou Shixing provoked her, sizing up Hu Mengmeng.

“Sister, the alchemy from that Viper last time was delicious,” Hu Mengmeng said with a sweet smile, looking at Ou Shixing. She licked her red lips, a bloodthirsty glint flashing in her red-lit eyes. “Sister, he smells like a snake too. Can we dig out his alchemy? If I eat him, will my cultivation go up?”

“You—you dare! I am a demon hunter! The assembly forbids fighting or causing trouble, and definitely forbids killing!” Ou Shixing instantly lost his nerve under Hu Mengmeng’s gaze.

“Is that so? I didn’t know. You unauthorized copylook like you’d be quite tasty,” Hu Mengmeng took a step forward, her fingernails growing long and incredibly sharp.

“Uncle Shuo!” Ou Shixing scrambled back. A tall, thin man flashed in front of him. He had a sharp, rat-like face that was quite ugly, and his eyes focused intensely on Hu Mengmeng as he let out a cold snort.

“So it’s Uncle Shuo. My little servant has just come out of the mountains and doesn’t know the ways of the world; please don’t take it to heart,” Ye Xinyu said, stepping forward to pull Hu Mengmeng back.

“Keep your servant in line. This is the Hidden Sect Assembly,” Shuo Rat said.

“Then please keep Ou Shixing in line as well. Don’t provoke us. My servant has a bad temper, and sometimes even I can’t control her,” Ye Xinyu replied flatly before leading Hu Mengmeng away.

“Shuo Rat, what’s the level of Ye Xinyu’s servant? She managed to take down my Viper!” Ou Shixing hissed venomously as they watched them leave.

“Lower than mine, but her advantage lies in her youth—she won’t be easy to deal with. She has great potential. The Ye family’s luck is holding,” Shuo Rat said, a glint in his eyes.

“What a shame. If I had asked you to strike sooner, the Ye family would already be in my pocket!” Ou Shixing fumed.

“You’d better avoid them for now. We need to buy what we came for first. Cooperation with that person is what matters most,” Shuo Rat warned him.