Nine Venoms Sect Founder

Nakula's disappearance didn't prompt an immediate response from Xerzan. Instead, the stronghold master sat amidst the Soul Refining Hall's ruins, staring at the debris of Weeping Soul's abode. An advocate of anti-conformity, lawlessness and hedonism, Xerzan had zero interest in kinship. As far as he was concerned, all ties were man-made constructs built on self-deceit. Thus, more than anyone else, he couldn't understand how and why he got so close to his fellow disciple. 

"How…frustrating," Xerzan whispered. And if his deadbeat gaze revealed deep weariness, the intermittent flashes of foul energies ensured that no sane man would stay too close to the current him. 

A deeply ingrained rage often needed handy outlets. But after 30 minutes of silent mopping, Xerzan still had nothing to vent his frustration on—nothing besides Weeping Soul's target.

Even a fool could guess that the reverend's death stemmed from his failure to capture the Blood Matron. But while Dolma's abilities and Abyssal River put Weeping Soul at serious risk, Xerzan didn't believe that the woman alone cost him his partner's life.

Weeping Soul came equipped for the job. Something else, someone else, an unexpected variable that flipped the game around to weave this unfortunate scenario...was to blame. Thus, from the messy pile that made up Xerzan's immortal memories, two words popped out: Lord Revelation. 

Back when Weeping Soul's avatar fell to that mysterious expert's tricks, Xerzan didn't take him seriously. But now that he couldn't even collect his mate's ashes, the stronghold master realized his mistake. Perhaps from the start, they'd misunderstood what they faced. Perhaps even the mutant plague tearing through the Six Ranges was that expert's work, but as he rose from the cracked ground, Xerzan couldn't spare any thought to "estimations."

"If...only if," he slowly whispered.

Allowing his chaotic emotions to explode, Xerzan snapped his fingers. Gray divination clouds gathered, latching on Dolma and the Abyssal River's traces to build an illusory bridge toward the Blood Matron's most likely location. Xerzan might not be able to track down Harun, Birandar or Mehran, but Dolma, Gulseni and Mukri didn't have the karmic protection that prevented Divination tracking.

Convinced that the Blood Matron and Lord Revelation had somehow partnered to destroy Weeping Soul, Xerzan unleashed his Devil Essence and soared into the sky, racing across the illusory bridge to hunt his targets down. 

Unfortunately, as the First Range's barrier only expanded through faith and worship, it never spread in the Soul Refining Hall's direction. Thus, Xerzan, who reached the ruins through teleportation, wasn't prepared for the barrier surrounding…about everything else across the First Range—the sight didn't help his mood. 

…

Meanwhile, as the Barbaric Demon Stronghold Master's existential crisis peaked, Harun drained all the knowledge that Dolma's brain and broken soul had to offer, officially turning whatever remained of her into an empty husk. A treasure trove in its own right, the Blood Matron's mind fed Harun all the lost tales, info, techniques, and insights Dolma had access to, enabling him to not only lay hands on the Solar Stones' processing method, but also to figure out how to produce Sentient Treasures. Better, Harun could also use Obsidian Soul Stones and the Abyssal River to craft his own Landgrave Assembly.

In a world where Monarchs and Emperors would kill for such intel, Dolma's knowledge set Harun's forces aside from the competition. As long as they milked it well, even the weakest disciples could soon fight above their level. 

Following extensive planning, Mehran and co. had left the meeting room. Harun, Jiyan and the passive Dolma doll remained behind—with the former two locked in a sultry exchange. Sitting sideways on Harun's t.h.i.g.hs, Jiyan collared his neck between her slender arms and leaned against his temple. With a smile mixing joy, mischievousness and relief, she smooched Harun's lips, going from the leftmost corner to the right, while sometimes pausing to pull in his gaze. 

For once, unrestrained craving flashed in the empyrean princess' eyes, outshining all other emotions. Suppressing the mounting urge to nibble Harun's neck, Jiyan pressed her cushy mounds against his c.h.e.s.t, luring in his primal instincts with her irresistible charms.

"Almost thought I'd lost you there," pausing to maintain eye contact, Jiyan whispered in a mellow and tempting tone, bitting Harun's lower lip to stress her words. Unwilling to resist the pull, Harun met her move with a gripping kiss—keeping her locked on him, with no hope of release. 

"What an over-the-top and unbelievable lie. Worthy of a centuries-old fogey. But just for you, I will pretend that it's true," she quipped, and with a mischievous grin, straddled her beloved. "When don't you ever? But this time it's actually true. I even received a brand-new cultivation mantra from the vixens. It will allow the two of us to refine our fleshly bodies without summoning Heavenly Tribulation. We could even reach Dolma's flesh level within a few decades." 

"Really? A dual cultivation method?" With a tone laced in suspicion, Jiyan arched one eyebrow, yet didn't reject Harun's words. In fact, her batting eyelashes and playful eyes seemed to be asking for more. "Dual cultivation sounds so bad. I prefer the original term: Tantric Exaltation. You will be my divine catalyst, and I yours. That said, we should explore it as soon as possible. Matter of fact, let's start now," Harun countered, and while holding onto Jiyan's t.h.i.g.hs, lifted her effortlessly. 

Dropping his beloved on the office desk, Harun let her back rest on the walnut table while planting hickeys on her l.u.s.trous neck. By the time he'd shared the Tantric Exaltation Mantra's mnemonics with her, Jiyan's tantalizing whimpers were already echoing in the room. But as the two reached a s.e.n.s.i.t.i.v.e moment, diabolic energies filled the Dark Stone City's sky, instantly choking all the citizens whose beliefs Harun relied on. 

In a flash, Mehran, Mukri, Birandar and Gulseni rushed back into the office room. But if the latter was struck speechless by what she saw, the three others flat-out ignored their leaders' intimacy. "He is here," they said like a perfectly synchronized, c.o.c.k-blocking choir. For a second, Harun considered putting them all on the execution block, but remembering that he had a reputation to maintain, he restrained himself and put on his reliable face.

"Well, bitches sure do know how to pick their time. Very well, let's teach the Third Range's master a memorable lesson," Harun declared, and motioned for Birandar to step forward.