Not all formations were created equal, with some enabling the formation master to attack even those that lay inside the formation. But the more intricate the formation, the bigger the cost. Defensive formations cost less than offensive formations, which in turn cost less than omnidimensional formations. But at the eleventh layer, the costs reached astronomic proportions—even for the most basic of arrays. Said bluntly, even if they had the skills to, the Celestial Farm’s founders didn’t have the wealth to set up more than rudimentary defenses.
With a squad led by the likes of Xin Zhong and the Armored Lion King, who’d recently been promoted to rank-eight Anointed Infernal Beast, the Celestial Farm’s lives had no means to resist the outsiders. Of course, there was a possibility that using his mystifying abilities, Xinzi trapped Tieshan in an illusion. After all, who was to say that a trickster of this level couldn’t bamboozle all her senses?
But Tieshan never considered this, and the reason was simple: she came as an avatar. At the end of the day, the avatar’s life or death was of absolutely no consequence to the true body. If all this were an illusion, then in the Celestial Farm, the Bull Demon Prince would never face Tieshan with a dark-purple box and attempt a coup. If he did, then all this was true. If he didn’t, Xinzi basically made a fool of himself for no rational reason.
Tieshan didn’t think that Xinzi would waste his time for nothing, and so couldn’t see the current setting as an illusion.
This was the truth. Niu Yan betrayed her—the fool broke their vow with an illusion, and would soon attempt to backstab Tieshan. Even after all that she’d done for him, after providing him with the means to cultivate to Divine Transformation and beyond, strengthening his troops, yet turning a blind eye to his barbaric and systemic castration of old and new bulls alike.
She even guaranteed him a kingdom free of her interference, and still, he didn’t hesitate to betray her!
The nerve!
The gall!
Tieshan’s eyes burned with killing intent, demonic malice electrified her veins, and as her heart drummed in her chest, the need to drag Niu Yan through the most horrifying punishment of all existence animated her trembling body.
”Death is not enough. Without complete and utter demolition, I will not be satisfied!” Rage overwhelmed reason, with Tieshan losing sight of the big picture—not that it mattered since, in this case, surrender to Xinzi was the big picture.
”Interesting, are you sure about this one? Once you take this step, you can never undo it.”
”I don’t care. I want him to see what I see, and feel what I feel. It has to be someone, and I’d rather it be you, for others…are not worthy of me. And maybe…” Tieshan cut her words short.
The acknowledgment took Xinzi by surprise. Though our monk didn’t need anyone’s acknowledgment to be convinced of his greatness, these were not words that a proud and borderline despotic woman like Tieshan would say casually.
”Well, I was never one to deny a beauty’s reasonable requests,” Xinzi’s lips curved into a fiendish grin.
Afterward, Bull Demon Prince and Princess Tieshan both signed a new set of “peace treaties,” then returned to the Celestial Farm. A little someone followed them, supported by the two sides.
Tieshan’s true body stood in the open square. The Bull Demon Prince still managed the formation’s eye. Their eyes flashed with eerie glints, and as they’d agreed to beforehand, they headed towards the throne room. There, their debriefing would take place.
Using her space-controlling skills to teleport straight into the throne room, Tieshan arrived first. The Bull Demon Prince arrived a moment afterward, his eyes sweeping the place to make sure that none would disturb this meeting.
Standing next to the throne, Tieshan folded her arms below her chest, her voluminous breasts pressed upward, forming mesmerizing curves. For a second, silence dominated the throne room. But as the Bull Demon Prince stepped closer to Tieshan, the Cow Demoness broke the ice.
”How did it go?” Tieshan asked. The Bull Demon Prince’s steps came to an abrupt halt, and for a second, he wondered if he’d exposed himself. Then he remembered that only the reverend and him knew of the agreement, making his fears ungrounded.
”Humph! That dastardly wolf in monastic garb was trying to drive a wedge between you and me. Who does he think I am? This Prince didn’t go through so many trials and tribulations to get hoodwinked by some corrupt outside monk!” The Bull Demon Prince feigned steadfast loyalty, verbally embracing the princely title that Tieshan’s authority forced him to maintain.
Tieshan smiled at his words, but since only her back faced him, the Bull Demon Prince couldn’t see her face.
”Wolf in monastic garb, a fair description. But as the saying goes, every pack needs an alpha—a temple is no exception.”
”What saying is that?”
”He invented it, right after attempting to get me to his side. A pity that I’m not willing to trade one overlord for another. I only want a partner. Someone like you, Niu Yan.” The two went back and forth. By now, the Bull Demon Prince had reached the steps underneath the throne, only standing a couple feet away from Tieshan. Her words stabbed into his heart, and for a moment, Niu Yan floundered.
A wave of guilt filled his heart, making him wonder if Tieshan’s love wasn’t worth more than the nominal sovereignty he’d gain from the mystical reverend. But here, Niu Yan remembered all the times that Tieshan’s authority eclipsed his, the times where she bossed him around, the 100,000 Cow Demonesses’ luscious curves, and all the pleasures that the mystical reverend could offer him—even Tieshan.
Yes!
Niu Yan’s eyes trailed on the demoness’ voluptuous curves. Height, legs, waistline and fit, all stood in luxurious proportions, a feast to the eyes and a challenge to all male crotches. How could Tieshan put such a body before him, but forbid him from touching it? This was all her fault! It was her who overwhelmed his body with such consuming lust! Also her that drove him into the enemy’s hands. Even if he lost her love, he’d have her body!
”Yes, Tieshan, it is my good fortune to have been favored by you.” Niu Yan’s eyes burned with malicious rays, and he stretched one hand out, summoning the dark-purple box.
”However, I am a man, a bull, a king! And today, I retake my right as monarch of these lands! Forgive me and have no doubt, that even 10,000 years from now on, you will still be my most beloved!” Niu Yan bellowed and opened the box. Dark-purple mist rolled out, latching on Tieshan’s dantian.
The demoness’ lips curled up, hatred, rage and disappointment all mixing in her eyes.
Who was right and who was wrong? Did both sides’ standpoints hold some truth? None of that mattered here. Tieshan’s cultivation flew out of her dantian, pouring into the dark-purple box, and leaving her body entirely defenseless.