Chapter Nineteen: The Enchantress of the Demon Sect and the Aloof Buddhist Disciple (5)

The Demon Sect was exceptionally well-informed, leaving many to suffer in silence after their treasures were stolen; they dared not report the losses, for who would believe their treasures were truly their own?

Consequently, resentment and fury had accumulated among the martial arts community. Today’s Martial Arts Assembly, ostensibly held to elect a leader and establish new standards of conduct, was in reality a trap designed to lure the Demon Sect into a snare.

The venue was set at the Five Peaks Villa. The master of the villa, known as the "Five Peaks Hero," was the frontrunner for the title of Alliance Leader. To prevent favoritism or fraud, the heads of various prominent orthodox sects—including Shaolin, Wudang, Kongtong, and Emei—had been invited to serve as witnesses.

While the facade was polished and the sparring appeared legitimate, everyone understood that this was merely a test of acting skills. Once the Demon Sect members revealed themselves, the trap would be sprung, and there would be no escaping.

Perched in a distant tree, Fan Sijin munched on an apple, looking perfectly at ease. She found these orthodox practitioners rather dull; their fighting was so artificial that it was practically transparent. They held back their strength, and the esteemed sect leaders kept darting their eyes around, clearly not focused on the matches. Did they truly think the Demon Sect members were fools? If the Demon Sect were so easily deceived, they would not be the source of such widespread terror.

Furthermore, based on the plot, Fan Sijin felt the Demon Sect resembled an organization that robbed the rich to give to the poor—though, in essence, the two were different, they shared certain similarities.

A tournament of this scale would take several days. The town near Five Peaks Villa was packed, with visitors arriving from thousands of miles away to witness the grand event and catch a glimpse of the great masters. The streets were filled with stalls selling snacks and trinkets, and Fan Sijin was having a wonderful time. When would these people realize the Demon Sect wasn't stupid? And when would it finally be her turn to take the stage?

For now, this was only the first day—little more than a warm-up. Things would change tomorrow.

Fan Sijin was right. By the second day, the combatants became serious. Since only the high-ranking leaders knew the assembly was a trap, the martial artists of moderate skill and below treated the competition as genuine. After the perfunctory displays by the disciples of the great sects on the first day, the second day saw the arrival of smaller sects and lone wanderers who, unaware of the hidden agenda, fought for their lives to claim the title of Alliance Leader.

Fan Sijin remained in her tree, though she had arrived late today. The trees with the best views were already occupied, forcing her to settle for one quite far away.

The competition for the leadership had reached a fever pitch, as the incumbent, the Five Peaks Hero, had entered the fray. Everyone knew his prowess; once he occupied the stage, no one dared to challenge him.

Suddenly, a piercing laugh rang out: "I shall!"

As the voice faded, a slender man in red robes with hair reaching his waist appeared on the platform. The crowd gasped; though the man looked frail, he was strikingly, bewitchingly beautiful. A small, vibrant snake coiled around his wrist, flicking its tongue.

The sect leaders on the viewing platform exchanged glances. They recognized him instantly—this long-haired man was Xiao Xiao, the Right Protector of the Demon Sect. He was a master of poisons, and his skill with hidden weapons and soft-style martial arts was legendary. While Xiao Xiao could not match the Five Peaks Hero in raw internal energy or palm strikes, he could run circles around him when it came to wits and technique.

After only a brief exchange, the Five Peaks Hero began to falter. He struggled for a few more moments before a hidden weapon struck him, sending him tumbling from the stage in a moment of surprise.

Xiao Xiao flicked his long hair, his eyes gleaming with mischief as he teased, "Is there any other hero who dares to challenge me? If not, I shall take this title of Martial Arts Alliance Leader back to my Sect Master."

Fan Sijin watched from her tree, thoroughly entertained. This was far from over; Xiao Xiao had plenty more tricks, enough to drag this out for days.

The prospect of a Demon Sect leader heading the alliance was impossible. After a brief consultation, the sect leaders sent forth Master Cifa, a nun whose skill with hidden weapons was equally renowned.

Upon seeing the nun in her gray-white robes, Xiao Xiao covered his mouth and giggled, mocking, "Oh my, what has happened? I recall when we last met, Master, you were quite slender. How is it that after such a short time, you have become so... robust?"

Though he was a man, he was more beautiful than any woman present. Master Cifa, though a renunciant, had not truly severed her worldly attachments, and as a woman at heart, she could not endure such humiliation.

Her face flushed crimson, and she barked, "If you want to fight, then fight! Where does all this nonsense come from?"

Deep down, she was seething, viewing Fan Sijin as a thorn in her side. She had no idea what that demoness had done to her and her disciples—in just seven days, they had all gained over ten pounds!

The Emei sect’s lightness skills and swordplay were admired by all, but the now-heavier Master Cifa lacked her former grace. Though she remained fast, the dazzling beauty of her movements was gone.

Fan Sijin stretched her neck to see the stage, sighing, "Tsk, tsk, not beautiful enough, not beautiful at all..."

Clearly, the weight was affecting the nun; she struggled to soar as she once did, and her once-ethereal robes were now stretched tight—just as Xiao Xiao had noted, she was indeed "robust."

As the parasite eggs hatched, they would grow hungrier. Worse, they required high-protein food to thrive; simple vegetables, fruits, and rice would not suffice. Seeing how much weight the nun had gained, she had likely broken her vows to eat meat. After all, as the insects grew, ordinary meals could not satisfy them.

Fan Sijin was not trying to destroy them entirely. These were not lethal toxins; if the hosts could simply abstain from meat for seven days, the parasites would detach on their own. But looking at these nuns, it seemed clear they had all succumbed to temptation.

So much for being renunciants. They were supposed to cultivate their hearts, yet they could not even pass this small test.