A Cunning Pervert in the Cultivation World

The False Crown’s eyes narrowed sharply.

The playful air from a moment ago vanished without a trace.

Its bestial maw pulled back, revealing rows of razor-sharp fangs as pure fury once again flooded its expression.

[Peng Jianwei!!]

The deep, wrathful voice exploded across the ruined capital.

[You...!]

The moment the grotesque faces finished their chant, the sealing force locked into place.

The False Crown’s massive body suddenly stiffened.

Its nine blazing tails, still pierced by the black pillars, trembled violently as the restrictive power surged through them. For the first time since its emergence, the colossal beast found itself unable to move freely.

A deep, furious hmph rumbled from its throat.

[As if that woman’s pillars could stop me!]

The three crimson orbs on its dark crown pulsed with rising power as its killing intent surged once more.

[It seems you all have forgotten who taught you these arts in the first place...]

Just as the False Crown began to gather a terrifying force within its body—

A single talisman fluttered down from above and stopped directly in front of its massive face.

In the next instant, the talisman unfolded and transformed into a paper figure, its form rapidly taking on a humanoid shape as it floated in the air.

Then a familiar, polite, and entirely unhurried voice came from the paper man.

”Oh Great Divine, please listen to what I have to say first.”

It was Peng Jianwei’s voice.

The False Crown paused.

Its massive head tilted slightly as those burning crimson eyes locked onto the floating paper man.

The playful cruelty from earlier had vanished completely, replaced by a sharp, narrowed gaze filled with cold scrutiny.

The paper figure continued speaking in that same polite, unhurried tone.

”This is just a recording talisman, so I hope you are willing to listen a bit to my humble opinion before you let loose.”

The False Crown’s bestial maw twisted in clear disgust.

The overly respectful, almost fawning tone made its contempt rise at once.

[Hmph.]

[Do you really think acting chubby with me could calm my anger?]

Even so...

Despite the open disgust in its voice, the False Crown did not immediately resume its attack.

The surging power it had been gathering paused mid-charge as its attention remained fixed on the paper man, listening.

The paper figure gave a slight, polite inclination of its head, as if expressing gratitude.

”Thank you for your patience, Great Divine.”

Peng Jianwei’s recorded voice continued smoothly, still carrying that calm and respectful tone.

”I have prepared a grand stage for you. You should take full advantage of it.”

There was a brief pause, as though the recording had been timed to let those words settle.

”I know that with the vessel I prepared, you will at most be able to exert strength at the Peak of the Nascent Soul realm...”

The paper man’s voice lowered slightly, taking on a more knowing edge.

”...But that isn’t enough for you to have fun, is it?”

The False Crown’s eyes narrowed.

The three crimson orbs on its dark crown pulsed slowly as it stared at the floating paper man, the earlier disgust still present, yet tempered by a colder, more calculating attention.

Peng Jianwei’s recorded voice continued without pause.

”I have even spent thirty years erecting the Grand Lock Barrier. For now, your aura will not leak out toward the major sects.”

The paper figure remained perfectly still as the calm voice pressed on.

”So there is still time for you to consolidate your power... and rise further.”

Surprisingly, the False Crown went silent.

It was not because it feared the major sects.

Even in this weakened and incomplete false form, it was still confident that if it went all out, it could inflict considerable damage upon them.

After all, there were still many of the Crimson Phoenix’s abilities that it had yet to reveal.

But now that the initial surge of rage had settled and it finally had a moment to properly sort through its thoughts, one particular memory surfaced with sudden clarity.

The False Crown’s eyes narrowed further.

Its massive head slowly turned toward the direction where Li Feng had been smashed into the earth.

The three crimson orbs on its dark crown pulsed once as the recollection fully returned.

Back in the secret realm...

When it had temporarily possessed its Eleventh Emissary, that same kid had killed the vessel effortlessly.

Even now, the memory of that moment left a faint, lingering unease within it.

That strange form the boy had entered...

It had carried the unmistakable scent of Sovereign aura.

The False Crown’s gaze remained fixed on the distant crater for a long moment.

Then it finally turned its gaze back toward the floating paper man.

A sharp, contemptuous sneer spread across its bestial maw.

[Fine. You win.]

Its deep voice carried clear disdain, yet also a reluctant acceptance.

[I will gladly eat these ”delicacies” you prepared.]

The paper man froze for a brief moment, as if even the recording had not fully expected such a straightforward answer.

”...Eh? You agreed?”

There was a short, awkward pause before the recorded voice coughed lightly and quickly recovered its polite composure.

”Ahem... As I have predicted, you will not regret it.”

The False Crown stared at the paper figure in silence for a moment longer.

Then its eyes narrowed once more, and another cold sneer rumbled from its throat.

[Don’t think I don’t know what you’re planning, Peng Jianwei.]

[I have already absorbed the vessel’s memories... but for this time, I will allow you to manipulate me.]

The paper man gave a respectful nod and bowed deeply in midair.

”Everything is for you, my Great Divine.”

The False Crown let out one final sneer, the sound low and filled with lingering contempt.

Then it turned its massive head away from the paper figure, no longer interested in wasting more words.

The three crimson orbs on its dark crown flared.

In the next moment, the colossal flame-wreathed beast opened its maw.

It had begun to feast.

...And the Fen Dynasty answered.