Shan Gui was the first to arrive, and thus should have been the first to meet the Demon Lord.
However, a single glance from Qing Bukuang made Shan Gui instantly step aside, claiming he was doing so of his own accord.
Everyone could see that it was a forced show of willingness, but no one spoke up, choosing to ignore it.
The Left Envoy said nothing, allowing Qing Bukuang to proceed to meet the Demon Lord.
It was better to turn a blind eye—perhaps Qing Bukuang would prove useful in the future.
After some time, Qing Bukuang emerged, and the next person went in.
The Left Envoy immediately engaged Qing Bukuang in a private conversation.
He demanded that Qing Bukuang provide a detailed account of what had transpired inside, ensuring no action or word of the Demon Lord was overlooked.
Qing Bukuang, without concealing anything, complied.
The Demon Lord mostly observed and inquired casually about their cultivation, appearing indifferent.
The second person’s experience was much the same.
So were those who followed.
It was impossible to discern the Demon Lord’s true intentions.
Everyone else was summoned individually by the Left Envoy, so the Seven Elders had no idea what the Demon Lord had discussed with the others.
Su Luo, too, was curious—he had no clue what the Demon Lord was up to.
Finally, it was Su Luo’s turn.
Su Luo entered the room and respectfully addressed the Demon Lord with a simple, “Demon Lord.”
Then, he awaited the Demon Lord’s response.
Jiang Ningshu now had the opportunity to fully observe Su Luo.
His face, while handsome, fell within the acceptable range of good looks.
However, Jiang Ningshu had long since lost interest in superficial beauty, and Su Luo’s charm had no effect on him.
What Jiang Ningshu focused on was Su Luo’s demeanor—his overall presence.
It was... ordinary.
That was Jiang Ningshu’s initial impression, and it remained unchanged upon closer inspection.
Yet, this very ordinariness was deeply unsettling. To maintain such a pristine, unassuming state was no simple feat.
Jiang Ningshu couldn’t help but inwardly praise Su Luo’s skill. Had it not been for the diary, he would have believed Su Luo to be genuinely average.
“Su Luo, are you willing to serve me?”
Jiang Ningshu pondered for a long time but couldn’t think of a way to prompt Su Luo to reveal the method to restore his cultivation in the diary.
He decided to probe casually, hoping to gauge Su Luo’s character and what he desired.
“Of course, I am willing.”
“Lying at a time like this... Aren’t you afraid I’ll kill you?”
Jiang Ningshu rose from his seat and slowly approached Su Luo, intensifying the pressure with each step. His hand landed on Su Luo’s neck.
It seemed that a single wrong word from Su Luo would result in his immediate demise.
“I am afraid, but if it means dying at the hands of the Demon Lord, I would do so willingly.”
Though Su Luo spoke those words, he chuckled inwardly. Without strength, the Demon Lord was nothing more than a joke.
I could defeat you even with one hand tied behind my back.
Jiang Ningshu withdrew his hand and turned his back to Su Luo.
“I’ve heard you once unleashed a powerful bolt of lightning.”
“Yes, that was triggered by a treasured artifact, but unfortunately, it can only be used once.”
“What insights did you gain?”
“None. That strike was beyond my current comprehension.”
“Describe the event in detail, as accurately as possible.”
Su Luo studied Jiang Ningshu’s back, analyzing the situation.
It seemed the Demon Lord’s objective lay here—the powerful lightning strike naturally evoked associations with heavenly tribulation.
He wanted to draw inspiration for restoring his cultivation from me.
The direction made sense; I truly do know how to help him recover.
But I refuse to assist him.
Without hesitation, Su Luo began recounting his experience, though his account was entirely fabricated.
Shortly after, Su Luo concluded his tale.
Jiang Ningshu, having listened attentively, gained nothing of value.
Clearly, Su Luo had no intention of letting me regain my strength.
If he could restore my power, fulfilling his desires would be effortless—whether he wanted authority, spiritual stones, or treasures.
He should be fully aware of this, yet he showed no interest.
“Alright, you may leave.”
“Yes.”
The Demon Lord hadn’t intended to spend much time with Su Luo, as a first encounter shouldn’t raise suspicion.
Moreover, the Left Envoy was likely waiting outside.
Jiang Ningshu had calculated everything to ensure the meeting’s duration was similar to those of the other Seven Elders, with Su Luo’s session falling midway, lasting slightly longer than average.
Qing Bukuang’s prolonged meeting was meant to divert the Left Envoy’s attention, making it appear as though he was the Demon Lord’s favored choice.
After Su Luo departed, Jiang Ningshu waited for the diary to update, curious about how this meeting had affected Su Luo.
By mentioning the lightning strike, he hoped to nudge Su Luo into writing about it.
However, Jiang Ningshu was unaware of Su Luo’s habit—without any compelling storyline, Su Luo rarely wrote in the diary.
...
Upon exiting, the Left Envoy again sought a private conversation with Su Luo.
Naturally, Su Luo didn’t reveal the truth, providing only vague responses.
The Left Envoy, after listening, couldn’t glean anything of significance, finding Su Luo’s answers similar to those of the others.
He eventually let it go.
Once the gathering dispersed, everyone else left, though two unfortunate individuals were intercepted by Su Luo.
Situ Ye and Liao Duci happened to be walking together.
“Hey, Situ Ye, I’ve got a question for you.” Su Luo’s inquiry, of course, concerned the Demon Lord.
“Speak.” Situ Ye, having recently met the Demon Lord again, exuded an air of arrogance.
“What did the Demon Lord say to you?”
Situ Ye smirked. “Why should I tell you? Absurd. Though if you tell me first, I might consider it.”
Su Luo grabbed his head and slammed it into the ground.
“Tell me. Tell me.”
Silence met his demands, so Su Luo continued the punishment.
“I... w-will... s-say it...”
Situ Ye’s speech was slurred from the beating, showing just how ruthless Su Luo could be.
He had no patience for dawdling.
“You should have cooperated from the start.”
“The Demon Lord said I have potential...”
“Still not talking?”
Su Luo resumed his brutal treatment, refusing to believe that the Demon Lord would see potential in Situ Ye.
Situ Ye’s limits had long since been set by his obsession with elixirs, and while those bounds were unattainable for many, to the Demon Lord, they were worthless.
“I swear by my ancestors, I’m not lying!”
In truth, Situ Ye wasn’t lying—the Demon Lord had only uttered that single phrase before falling silent, observing him.
Su Luo finally released Situ Ye and turned to Liao Duci.
Liao Duci raised his hands, indicating surrender. “I’ll talk, I’m weak, I can’t take it.”
“Speak, and hopefully, you’re sensible.”
“The Demon Lord asked about some herbs, then that was it.”
“What herbs?”
Liao Duci provided the details honestly. Su Luo, with his knowledge, couldn’t fathom the purpose of combining those herbs.
“No further questions.”
From their responses, Su Luo felt the Demon Lord’s true target had been him.
The Demon Lord was desperate to regain her strength, and it was my lightning she should have been most interested in.
So why involve the other Seven Elders?
Was she worried the Left Envoy would intervene if he found out?
But no—the Demon Lord had always trusted the Left and Right Envoys, as well as the Four Heavenly Demons.
Had she sensed something amiss?
That didn’t seem possible—the envoys and demons were far too skilled in deception for the Demon Lord to detect anything.
Leaving aside their strength, the Demon Lord couldn’t outmatch them in deceit.
As Su Luo pondered his departure, unbeknownst to him, a pair of eyes watched him like a venomous snake.
Liao Duci, gazing at Su Luo’s retreating figure, began planning his next move. He was concocting a poison, one specially designed for Su Luo.
Su Luo had humiliated him one too many times. Liao Duci had set his sights on revenge, ready to bare his fangs.