It didn't even take until the next day for the news of Su Luo's solo raid on Qing Bukuang's territory to spread among Su Luo's subordinates.
They all exclaimed how cool and awesome it was.
They regretted not having followed him there.
Even those who hadn't witnessed it firsthand couldn't help but mythologize the event.
After all, he had single-handedly stormed in and caused chaos in Qing Bukuang's domain, leaving it in ruins.
And yet, Su Luo returned unscathed. Shouldn't they imagine him as powerful as possible?
However, Su Luo's subordinates didn't make too much of a fuss about it.
They just secretly chuckled to themselves.
There was no helping it—Su Luo wouldn't stand up for them, and being too arrogant would only bring them trouble.
If they were going to act boldly, it would have to be when Su Luo was around.
For now, they aimed to follow Yun's example and strive to earn a place among Su Luo's inner circle.
If one day Su Luo could stand up for them, all their efforts would be worth it.
In fact, it wasn't just Su Luo's subordinates who knew about this incident; it had spread quite widely within the Demonic Sect.
It even sparked discussions among the titled demonic cultivators.
Could Su Luo replace Qing Bukuang as the new leader of the Seven Disciples?
It was just speculation, though.
Su Luo's display of the Tremor Fruit's power was visually stunning and highly impressive, but its actual destructive capability was nothing extraordinary.
Since they weren't present at the scene, most of the discussions were just that—discussions, with no definitive conclusions.
Originally, such an incident wouldn't have been considered a big deal in the Demonic Sect—neither major nor minor. But when it reached the Demon Lord's ears, things changed.
The Demon Lord actually summoned all Seven Disciples because of this matter.
That turned it into a significant event.
The Demon Lord's reasoning was: "Lately, the Seven Disciples have been suffering repeated defeats, and the spotlight has been stolen by someone named Lin Xuan.
Now you're even fighting among yourselves? It's utterly disgraceful."
She made it clear that such incidents were not to happen again unless they achieved some notable accomplishments.
Qing Bukuang was furious.
"I haven't even had the chance to retaliate! I've already gathered my forces, ready to reclaim my pride.
But with the Demon Lord's decree, my plans are doomed to fail.
Isn't this a huge loss?"
Qing Bukuang wanted to argue further, but the Demon Lord's overwhelming aura silenced him.
He didn't dare defy the Demon Lord's orders now, so he swallowed his anger, buried it deep in his heart, and waited for the day he could vent it.
That day would come. Qing Bukuang glared at Su Luo, silently swearing revenge.
The Left Envoy found it strange. Why was the Demon Lord paying so much attention to the Seven Disciples lately?
Had she given up on restoring her strength and shifted her focus to nurturing promising talents?
Should he just eliminate all the Seven Disciples?
The Left Envoy narrowed his eyes as he considered it.
No, even if they were under the Demon Lord's protection, their strength couldn't skyrocket in just a few years or a decade.
It wouldn't hurt to observe them a little longer.
Besides, the Left Envoy had another reason—he had also invested in the Seven Disciples, with Qing Bukuang being his biggest investment. It would be a shame to dispose of them now.
The Seven Disciples were different from the other members of the Demonic Sect.
Of course, even with their differences, to him, they were just slightly stronger pawns to be dealt with as he pleased.
Just when everyone thought the Demon Lord was done, she called for a private meeting with the Seven Disciples.
Soon, it was Su Luo's turn.
In the past, Su Luo would have been respectful when meeting the Demon Lord. But now?
He casually found a chair and sat down as if it were his own home.
Though he didn't go so far as to take the Demon Lord's throne.
"So, what do you want to tell me? Please don't say it's a lecture."
"How could I dare? You even threatened me. What could I possibly say to you?"
"Go ahead, say whatever you want."
Jiang Ningshu paused for a moment before speaking. "Shouldn't you be a bit more low-key?"
Su Luo was taken aback. He hadn't expected the Demon Lord to say something like that.
"Why do you say that?"
"Tall trees catch the wind. You might be in a precarious position right now."
Huh? This was getting stranger. It would be normal for others to say this, but coming from the Demon Lord? Had she sensed something?
Su Luo put on an indifferent expression and said, "If I cause trouble, you can just cover for me, right? Don't tell me you can't do that. If you won't even help me with something like this, what kind of Demon Lord are you?"
Jiang Ningshu sighed. "You know my current situation. Besides, I've noticed that some people have ill intentions."
"Who?"
What was going on? Had the Demon Lord sensed that those around her were untrustworthy?
That shouldn't be the case. The Four Great Demons and the Left and Right Envoys had been doing well. It was only later that they started causing problems one after another.
"Do you know Luo Xinlan?"
"I've met her. She approached me before. Why?"
Jiang Ningshu briefly explained her close friendship with Luo Xinlan, summarizing it as a deep bond.
"I've realized that Luo Xinlan might not be as good to me as I thought."
Congratulations, you guessed right.
But why has your intuition become so sharp this time?
In the past, you only realized the betrayal after being stabbed in the back or openly mocked.
"Anyone else?" Su Luo asked.
"Anyone else?" Jiang Ningshu played dumb.
She couldn't reveal everything, could she? What if Su Luo suspected that someone was reading his diary?
"I'm asking you."
"Luo Xinlan."
It seemed the Demon Lord only knew that Luo Xinlan was acting suspiciously. Her intuition was sharp, but only slightly.
"Ah, I see. So, what does Luo Xinlan's relationship with you have to do with me?"
"If you keep drawing attention to yourself, I'm afraid she might target you. Every time I summon the Seven Disciples, she's already started taking action."
Actually, Jiang Ningshu was worried about the Left Envoy and others, so she gave Su Luo a warning.
"Thanks for your concern, but I have my own ways to handle things."
Jiang Ningshu was a bit skeptical, but since Su Luo said he was fine, he must have a plan, right?
There was a moment of silence.
"So, what should I do about Luo Xinlan?" Jiang Ningshu couldn't help but ask. She was truly conflicted about Luo Xinlan.
Su Luo looked at Jiang Ningshu's expression. So, this was what was troubling her. Indeed, Luo Xinlan hadn't yet shown her true colors or openly betrayed her.
The Demon Lord might have sensed that Luo Xinlan had done something harmful, but without solid evidence or having witnessed it firsthand, her confusion was understandable.
But what did that have to do with him?
"Don't ask me. I have no interest in your relationship. I can't give you any advice, so thanks but no thanks."
"Why not?"
"Have you forgotten you're the Demon Lord? Start acting like one. Take a look in the mirror—what kind of image are you projecting? If the Demonic Sect sees you like this, what authority will you have left?"
If it were any other matter, Jiang Ningshu wouldn't have been so discomposed.
Could it be that she really had no choice but to deal with Luo Xinlan?
"Su Luo, tell me, who can I trust?"
A close friend she had always trusted was actually plotting her downfall, wanting to see her humiliated.
Thinking about it made her feel utterly miserable.
"Why trust others? Trust yourself. Isn't that enough to survive?"
"You're so open-minded."
"Of course, because it's not my friend who's betraying me."
Jiang Ningshu: "...You're terrible at comforting people."
"You've got it wrong. I'm not here to comfort you. I'm just stating the facts."
"Still, thank you."
"For what?"
Jiang Ningshu wasn't referring to this matter. "Thank you for the method you provided. My strength is already recovering. I'll think more about Luo Xinlan's situation."
"I wish you a speedy recovery."
Recovery was impossible, of course. But the Demon Lord was satisfied with even the slightest improvement in her strength. How easily fooled.
"Mm."
You'd never guess that the speed of my recovery is beyond your imagination.