In the end, Gu Xiuping's matter was left unresolved, and Wei Changli didn't give it much thought. Instead, he began preparing for the Seven Colored Secret Realm.
However, the secret realm wouldn't open for some time, so Su Luo also started his own preparations.
But these weren't for the secret realm. Instead, they were for boosting his popularity within the Heavenly Demon Sect.
According to the original plot, Su Luo would start gaining Wei Changli's attention and be groomed by him.
Not exactly groomed, but more like turning him into a useful dog—someone Wei Changli found somewhat valuable but not quite up to par.
Under Wei Changli's command, Su Luo wouldn't be bullied by others in the sect, but the tasks Wei Changli gave were life-threatening.
Su Luo survived numerous deadly situations, barely making it through, which eventually earned him some fame within the Heavenly Demon Sect.
His cultivation, after learning demonic arts, skyrocketed, propelling him to the early stage of the Gold Core realm.
Only then did Su Luo manage to stand firm within the Heavenly Demon Sect.
But now?
Wei Changli wouldn't assign any tasks to Su Luo. Instead, Su Luo had to ask for them himself. Although Wei Changli was puzzled by Su Luo's actions, he had no choice but to comply.
He simply couldn't refuse.
During the first mission, Su Luo led a group of underlings, resulting in a 70% mortality rate without completing the task.
That didn't matter. After all, Su Luo didn't care about the lives of others in the Heavenly Demon Sect.
What intrigued him was Yun's performance.
From then on, he assigned all his missions to Yun, letting her handle them under his name.
He initially just wanted to test her. If she couldn't do it, he'd step in. But to his surprise, she handled every task excellently.
Of course, Nangong Xiyun had no issues. Moreover, she could turn questionable activities into positive outcomes.
She then arranged things subtly, making the Heavenly Demon Sect believe the tasks were completed.
These were minor tasks within the sect, so no one bothered to verify them thoroughly. As long as they could deceive them temporarily, it was enough.
And if anyone suspected something, Nangong Xiyun would just eliminate them.
Thus, Su Luo did almost nothing, yet his fame in the Heavenly Demon Sect increased, similar to the original plot.
At the same time, Yun transitioned from a dispensable figure to a capable tool in Su Luo's eyes.
As time passed, Su Luo had little to do, so he filled his days by writing in his diary.
[At this time, Lin Xuan should have wrapped up the "King of Bandits" plot.]
[Returning to the sect's vicinity, he encounters the gravely injured Gu Anxin and expresses sympathy after hearing her ordeal.]
[He vows to teach any Heavenly Demon Sect members he meets a lesson in the future.]
[Afterward, Lin Xuan helps Gu Anxin familiarize herself with the sect. His care leaves a deep impression on her.]
[Little did he know that Gu Anxin is a rare blacksmithing genius, and to repay him, she strengthens his weapon.]
[This is also preparation for the upcoming Seven Colored Secret Realm.]
[Aside from helping Gu Anxin, Lin Xuan has been busy with other tasks...]
[Once he completes these, the Seven Colored Secret Realm will be ready to open.]
[Alas, I still have to enter this secret realm. There's a plot for me there, and I'll have to stay a while.]
[I might as well quickly go through the plot and find a spot to hide.]
Su Luo had zero interest in the secret realm. He was overly familiar with it, including every location and character involved.
The Seven Colored Secret Realm was only accessible to those at the Gold Core stage, but Su Luo wasn't there yet—he hadn't even reached the Gold Core stage. But thanks to his system, he didn't need to rely on traditional means.
Even if the system couldn't fool the secret realm's restrictions, there was a backdoor he could exploit. This backdoor had no restrictions on cultivation levels.
The backdoor was slightly more troublesome, which was why it hadn't been discovered by others. Su Luo only found it after several lifetimes of searching.
[Diary entry complete. Reward: Speed +1, Strength +2, Cultivation level raised by one stage. Current cultivation: Late Nascent Soul Realm.]
Not bad. Once he reaches the Void Refinement stage, he might be able to take a few more risks. Nevertheless, Su Luo preferred his laid-back lifestyle.
...
Li Siyi managed to acquire many valuable treasures from the King of Bandits. Once she digested them, she was confident her strength would skyrocket.
Suddenly, she noticed an update in Su Luo's diary and felt ecstatic upon reading it.
Su Luo had finally written about her!
The Seven Colored Secret Realm was something Li Siyi had heard of. The sect leader had mentioned it recently and encouraged disciples to break through to the Gold Core stage to secure a spot.
Immediately, all disciples at the peak of the FoundationEstablishment stage intensified their training to achieve the breakthrough.
Li Siyi, however, was still some way off from the Gold Core stage.
She decided to give it her all.
Back at the Seven Stars Sword Sect, the first thing Li Siyi said was, "Little Yu, do you want to meet Su Luo?"
"Yes!"
"Then hurry up and reach the Gold Core stage. If you miss this, you'll have to wait for the next time."
"I'll do my best."
Before long, Little Yu succeeded in her breakthrough while Li Siyi realized she was the one who needed to work harder.
She felt utterly disheartened.
...
Days continued to pass.
While Su Luo enjoyed his leisurely life, Wei Changli's situation was less favorable.
Ever since acquiring the fragment of the Seven Colored Secret Realm, Wei Changli had been unable to calm his restless mind.
His thoughts constantly drifted back to Su Luo's threats and his disdainful gaze toward him.
The desire to kill grew stronger, but whenever he considered the possibility of his own death, he became hesitant.
Thus, Wei Changli oscillated between these two extremes, tormenting himself.
Upon hearing reports that Su Luo was completing mission after mission, growing increasingly influential in the Heavenly Demon Sect, Wei Changli couldn't suppress his frustration.
Adding Lin Xuan's affairs into the mix, he felt the world was conspiring against him.
His spirit showed signs of breaking, but the steadfastness of the Seven Chosen of the Demon Path didn't falter that easily.
Still, Wei Changli felt it necessary to guard against Su Luo. At the very least, he needed to find something to negotiate with Su Luo.
With the Seven Colored Secret Realm soon to open, Wei Changli feared that if he found something valuable within, Su Luo would swoop in and take it.
Therefore, he summoned Yun.
"Has it been long enough? Have you discovered any secrets about Su Luo?"
"Yes, I found out one secret."
"Speak!"
Wei Changli felt a surge of excitement. He hadn't expected Yun to gather any useful information, but now that she claimed to have a lead, it was a pleasant surprise.
"He enjoys watching sunsets."
"And?"
"He always enters a room with his right foot first."
Wei Changli grew suspicious, sensing something amiss: "Are you messing with me?"
"Yes!"
"You're courting death!"
Losing his patience, Wei Changli flicked his wrist, sending three ice spikes flying toward Yun.
"Don't be rash."
Yun revealed an assortment of consumable treasures, dissolving Wei Changli's ice spikes and blasting him to the ground.
Her wealth seemed limitless.
Wei Changli was shocked but more than ready to end Yun's life.
But she said,
"I now serve Su Luo. If you harm me, he won't let you off the hook. Moreover, before coming here, I informed Su Luo about this meeting. Should anything happen to me, you know the consequences."
Truthfully, Nangong Xiyun was bluffing, but she knew Wei Changli was terrified of Su Luo—though she couldn't fathom why.
"Why? What has Su Luo offered you that you're helping him?"
"Hmph. Compared to Su Luo, you're nothing."
With that, Yun left, unfazed.
Her words further shook Wei Changli's dao heart.