Then, the conversation came to a halt.
Jiang Ningshu wanted to ask Su Luo many things, but most of them were too awkward to bring up.
It was impossible to directly ask Su Luo for the methods of the next two steps—such a question would be futile.
Saying some generic, perfunctory words to Su Luo, similar to what she’d said to the other seven disciples, also seemed unnecessary.
Seeing the Demon Lord fall silent, Su Luo didn’t take the initiative to start a conversation either. For now, it was enough to keep the Demon Lord steady; there was no need for excessive dialogue.
Both sides fell silent, but it wasn’t too awkward.
At that moment, they both spoke simultaneously.
“Someone’s coming.”
Su Luo instinctively prepared to find a place to hide.
But wait—this time, he had entered openly. A crowd of people outside had seen him; there was no need to hide.
Jiang Ningshu was also curious. Hadn’t she said no one was allowed to enter?
Even if the Left Envoy harbored rebellious intentions, on the surface, he still had to obey her.
“Ningshu, I’m here.” Luo Xinlan walked in.
So, it was her.
Her arrival made sense.
Jiang Ningshu had said that Luo Xinlan could enter this place freely.
This showed just how close their relationship was.
“Why are you here?” Jiang Ningshu asked.
“I came to see you,” Luo Xinlan replied, immediately showcasing her close bond with Jiang Ningshu.
“I’m busy right now,” Jiang Ningshu said, suddenly remembering that she wanted to ask Su Luo when he would return or when it would be appropriate to seek him out.
“It’s fine, I’ll help you. Su Luo, right? You’re lucky to have caught Ningshu’s attention. From now on, you must remain loyal and share more of her burdens.”
Luo Xinlan spoke in a commanding tone, her words laced with a sense of superiority, as if Su Luo should be grateful for this “great fortune.”
She hadn’t come here just to see Jiang Ningshu.
Her purpose was to make an appearance, to show off her special relationship with the Demon Lord.
Earlier, when the Left Envoy hadn’t stopped her outside and allowed her to enter, it had already piqued the curiosity of the seven disciples.
Who was this person, and why could she enter directly? Was her status even higher than the Left Envoy’s?
This was exactly the effect Luo Xinlan wanted.
And now, speaking to the Demon Lord in such a manner, she wanted Su Luo to understand her status and position.
“I will,” Su Luo replied obediently.
“Good. The Demon Lord and I have things to discuss. You may leave,” Luo Xinlan said, directly speaking on Jiang Ningshu’s behalf.
“Wait,” Jiang Ningshu called out to Su Luo.
Luo Xinlan looked at her curiously, wondering why she had stopped Su Luo.
Asking when he would return was definitely not something she could bring up now.
Jiang Ningshu regretted calling out to Su Luo.
She hadn’t expected Luo Xinlan to dismiss him so directly.
Helpless, Jiang Ningshu said, “Never mind, you may go.”
“Understood,” Su Luo replied promptly and left.
Luo Xinlan gave Su Luo a meaningful glance, sensing that Jiang Ningshu seemed to pay him more attention than usual. She wasn’t sure, though—it might just be her imagination.
With a smile, Luo Xinlan said, “Why didn’t you say anything? You stopped him, so you must have had something to discuss. Was it because I was here? I’ll go call him back and wait outside for you.”
“No, that’s not what I meant. It’s just...” Think fast, what’s a good excuse?
Of course, Luo Xinlan wouldn’t actually go call Su Luo back. She was just testing Jiang Ningshu, confident that she wouldn’t let her leave.
Suddenly, Luo Xinlan teased, “Could it be that you like this type?”
“Uh...”
That excuse might work.
“No, it’s not what you think.”
“I get it, I get it,” Luo Xinlan said, knowing full well that Jiang Ningshu wouldn’t be interested in someone like Su Luo. She was just teasing her.
“Really, it’s not like that.”
It wasn’t romantic interest, but Jiang Ningshu definitely had other plans.
Hmph, with me here, don’t think you’ll get anything done. Just stay as the useless Demon Lord you are.
Luo Xinlan spoke seriously, “Are you planning to train the seven disciples? Let me help you. I’ll make sure they remain loyal to you, even if they eventually find out you can’t use your powers. They won’t betray you.”
“That’s not necessary. I wouldn’t want to trouble you,” Jiang Ningshu replied, clearly not wanting Luo Xinlan to interfere.
Besides, help me train them? More like train them for yourself.
Jiang Ningshu laughed bitterly inside, realizing Luo Xinlan’s true intentions. How had she not seen through her before?
“Don’t be so polite. It’s settled, then. You focus on recovering your strength. By the way, how’s that going?”
“I haven’t made any progress.”
Jiang Ningshu’s answer delighted Luo Xinlan.
Good, just stay as you are—a powerless, useless Demon Lord.
After some more small talk, Luo Xinlan left.
Once outside, she went to each of the seven disciples, asking them what the Demon Lord had told them.
From their answers, it was clear that Jiang Ningshu was indeed trying to train them.
As for Su Luo, there was nothing unusual about his responses; they were similar to the others.
This was to be expected, as Su Luo had already coordinated his story with Jiang Ningshu.
Luo Xinlan then rewarded the seven disciples again, further cementing their loyalty.
Her goal was to eventually take these people away from the Demon Lord.
Su Luo watched her actions and simply smiled.
She really has no self-awareness. Who in their right mind would follow her?
......
Su Luo had been keeping a low profile these days, and no one had come to cause trouble for him.
Even Qing Bukuang and his people avoided Su Luo whenever they saw him.
Su Luo enjoyed the peace.
Qing Bukuang’s humiliation marked the beginning of the decline of the Heavenly Demon Sect’s seven disciples as antagonists. Their downfall was rapid.
A few more embarrassments, and they’d be out of the picture.
Su Luo couldn’t help but feel envious.
If only he could exit the story early, he might have returned to reality by now.
But it wasn’t possible.
According to the plot, he was still in the midst of strengthening himself in the half-human, half-ghost Yin Youming stage.
After that, he’d continue to team up with the other seven disciples to meet their inevitable defeat.
Now, even Lin Xuan could defeat Qing Bukuang. Without sticking together, how could the seven disciples hope to win?
And just as expected, the time for them to unite had come.
This time, it was the Left Envoy who summoned the seven disciples.
“I’ve called you here today because there’s a mission. For the sake of the Demon Lord and the Heavenly Demon Sect, you must prove yourselves this time.”
Hearing the Left Envoy’s serious tone, the seven disciples straightened up.
The Left Envoy continued, “Di Haoao is heading south.”
Di Haoao, the son of the Emperor Heaven Sect’s leader.
Just his identity alone spoke volumes.
“This time, he’s heading south for an important matter.”
The Left Envoy paused, successfully piquing the disciples’ curiosity.
Then he continued, “Soon, he will be marrying into the Radiant Light Sect.”
“Your mission this time is to cause a scene at this wedding. If you can disrupt the marriage, even better.”
“However, the sect won’t be able to provide any additional support. You’ll have to rely on your own strength.”
“How far you can go depends entirely on you.”
“Don’t disappoint the Demon Lord again. You’ve been failing one after another lately.”
“It’s been disgraceful.”
“This time, I hope you can do better.”