On the mountain peak, a handsome man in white robes was plucking zither strings.
As the strings vibrated, enchanting music flowed from his fingertips. It was like mountain sprites dancing, uplifting the spirit; like clear spring water, melodious and pleasing; like a spring breeze caressing the face, carrying the natural sounds that all things revel in.
Beside White Robe, a young girl in black sat on a bluestone, her knees slightly bent, elbows resting on them, and her delicate, jade-like hands cradling her refined face. Her eyes were half-closed, savouring the beautiful melody.
Around them, numerous birds and beasts, drawn by the music, either lay on the ground, perched on branches, or, for the bolder ones, landed on White Robe’s shoulder.
After a long while, the song ended, and a white figure descended from the sky, gazing at White Robe with a complex expression, saying coldly, “You are much like him, so you should share the same fate!”
Ink Lady’s voice startled the birds and beasts, sending them scattering in fear, and caused Black Robe to open her eyes.
“Master!”
Black Robe, full of delight, nimbly leapt from the bluestone and approached Ink Lady.
To her, the woman who had taken in her and her brother was deeply respected, providing a warmth she had never known before.
Ink Lady not only taught them knowledge and cultivation but also spared them from venturing out to face dangers, always bringing them blood food to sate their hunger.
In Black Robe’s eyes, her master was the best in the world.
“Hmm, I came to check if you were diligently cultivating, but instead, I find you slacking. It seems we need to increase the intensity of your training!”
Ink Lady spoke lightly, then opened her mouth, spitting out a dozen demon beast corpses onto the ground. She looked at the siblings with a smile that didn’t reach her eyes, saying, “Eat! From today, your food portions will double!”
“So much?”
Black Robe was taken aback, as this was several times more than their usual blood food.
“Your master worries you’ll go hungry. After all, as demon cultivators, the higher our cultivation, the more energy we need, so naturally, you must eat more.
Eating is also part of our demon cultivation practice.
So don’t disappoint me. Let’s see which of you siblings can eat more!” Ink Lady smiled.
However, Black Robe misinterpreted her words as care, thinking her master was concerned they weren’t eating enough and had specially increased their portions. She exclaimed joyfully, “Thank you, Master!”
With that, she waved her hand, demonic energy swirling out, pulling a demon beast corpse to her. She bit into it immediately.
On the other side, White Robe was no less swift, eating almost ravenously. In no time, he finished one demon beast corpse and moved to the second.
When all the blood food was consumed, Black Robe had only eaten two, while the rest went into White Robe’s stomach.
“Brother White Robe, I haven’t even had my fill, and you stole my blood food!”
Black Robe looked at White Robe with some annoyance, feeling she ate too slowly and must have disappointed her master.
“Two demon beasts weren’t enough to fill you up?”
White Robe spoke lightly, ignoring Black Robe and turning to Ink Lady, who had a slight frown. He smiled, “It seems, Master, the blood food you prepared was a bit lacking.”
“Is that so? Then I’ll go down the mountain to fetch more!”
Ink Lady smiled, turned to leave, paused briefly, and said lightly, “There are many evil demons at the mountain’s base lately, so I’ve sealed the path up with my venomous spider web. You are not to go down without my permission!”
With that, she tapped her foot and flew into the distance.
Watching Ink Lady’s retreating figure, White Robe’s expression grew dark, though it quickly returned to normal. He turned to Black Robe, asking gently, “Didn’t you eat enough just now?”
“I did, but I feel so useless. I’m not as fast as you, Brother. Master must be unhappy,” Black Robe said, somewhat dejected.
“You’re full, that’s what matters. Master’s not so petty as to get angry over something so small.”
“Really?”
“Really, but don’t eat so much in the future. One is enough. Let me eat the rest.”
“Why? Was two too much? You ate so many…” Black Robe pouted, a bit displeased.
“Because I’m too hungry. Can you risk Master’s scolding and let your brother eat more?” White Robe looked at her, his expression serious.
“Well… of course, you’re my brother, after all!”
“Master often tells me we’re the closest siblings in the world, so no matter where we go, we must stay together!” Black Robe said happily.
Hearing this, a flicker of killing intent passed through White Robe’s eyes, but he smiled, “Yes, we’re the closest in the world. As your brother, I’ll always protect you!”
With that, he took off his white robe and said to Black Robe, “Let’s swap clothes!”
“Why?” Black Robe was puzzled.
“White is purer, I think it suits you better, and I prefer black. You’ll swap with me, right?”
“Fine.”
Over the next two years, Ink Lady periodically brought many demon beast corpses for the siblings to eat, but White Robe always consumed nine-tenths of them, which made Ink Lady increasingly pleased with him.
Until one day, Ink Lady returned, staggering, and burst into the wooden hut where the siblings slept.
“You’re injured?”
White Robe looked at Ink Lady, his eyes showing no surprise.
“I can’t wait any longer. That damned lion discovered my secret, so today, both you siblings must die!”
Ink Lady’s face was grim, her voice icy.
“You promised you wouldn’t harm Black Robe, and I haven’t reached the Demon General realm yet. If you consume me forcibly, your goal will fail!”
“Five years, is this the result you wanted?”
“A futile effort?”
White Robe remained calm, looking at Ink Lady. Behind him, on the bed, Black Robe lay unconscious, seemingly in a deep, peaceful sleep.
“You useless thing, you dare talk back?”
“This king spent countless spirit herbs and demon beast corpses to get you siblings to break through to the Demon General realm, but it’s been five years!
Five years, and neither of you has reached it!
You’ve made me wait in vain for five years!!”
Ink Lady spoke with venom, then sneered coldly, “So I won’t wait any longer. Even if it costs my core demonic energy, I’ll forcibly elevate you to the Demon General realm, then eat you and seize your Demon-Devouring Spirit Body!!”
With that, heedless of White Robe’s consent, she stepped forward, her hand reaching out. Surging demonic energy formed ribbons that bound White Robe, restricting his movements.
Then, Ink Lady pointed at his forehead.
Instantly, a powerful wave of demonic energy erupted from her fingertip, and a drop of demon liquid was forced into White Robe’s forehead.
Having done this, Ink Lady sneered, instinctively licking White Robe’s cheek with her tongue.
In her eyes, White Robe was about to break through to the Demon General realm, and once he did, it would be time to eat him!
