The following day, news of Lingyao's succession as the new sect leader of the Demon Sect, and the sudden death of the Demon Sect's sixth elder, swept across the entire God and Demon Continent.

Even Yin Ming, who was in the Dragon Palace, heard the gist of it from the gossipy dragons in the palace.

"Go ahead, go ahead!"

At this moment, Long Cheng was outside the white palace gate, nudging the azure dragon beside him with his shoulder and urging it on.

"Awoo! Awoo!"—Why is it me again! This time it's your turn!

Sitting in the courtyard, Yin Ming stared blankly at the artificial hill in front of him, his chin resting on his hand. He sighed silently, "What exactly are you two up to?"

These two have been going back and forth outside the door for the past three minutes. The key is that they were so loud that it was hard for Yin Ming to ignore them.

Yin Ming was already annoyed, and now they're pulling this stunt. Can't a person just have a moment to clear their head?!

"Hehe, well..." Long Cheng scratched his head a little embarrassed after being discovered by Yin Ming, and stepped into the courtyard. "Brother Ming, Little Green said it wants to eat cake and asked if you can make it for it."

The azure dragon that followed closely behind roared in dissatisfaction, "Nonsense! It was clearly you who wanted to eat it!"

Yin Ming glanced at the man and the dragon leisurely, then sighed helplessly. They were really two clowns.

"Ming-ge has been sighing since earlier. Is something on your mind? Mother said it's better to talk about your worries. Why don't you tell us?"

Long Cheng sat down on the stone bench, looking at Yin Ming with curiosity, and said confidently, "Don't worry, we will definitely not laugh at you."

Yin Ming's lips twitched. "Well, thank you so much." "It's nothing."

"Oh." Not hearing any gossip, Long Cheng responded with a hint of regret, but then instantly became excited again.

"Then let's hurry up and make a cake. Ming, you should teach Xiao Lü properly, so that it doesn't keep making those sour things that disgust me."

"Awooo!" You idiot! Master Yin said it's nothing, but you can't believe it! Didn't you see how upset he was? And you still made him bake you a cake? How could you do that!

Long Cheng was speechless for a moment, then stubbornly retorted, "Of course I know! What nonsense are you spouting? Just to make yourself look smart, huh?!"

Upon hearing this, Little Green immediately objected and started arguing with him, and the two of them began a new round of verbal sparring.

Yin Ming could roughly understand Xiao Lü's howls, but he would rather he didn't understand them at all, really.

I'm absolutely fed up with these two. One of them doesn't understand the subtext, while the other understands it and announces it in public. They really know how to annoy people.

Are all the dragons like them, simple-minded and cute...? Is this what they mean by "all brawn and no brains"?

However, Yin Ming also knew that these two guys were really simple-minded, so of course he wouldn't hold it against them.

On the contrary, being annoyed by these two clowns actually made me feel much better.

It's a miracle that these two, who always seem to be arguing when they're together, can still be so loving and affectionate after their fights.

Actually, Yin Ming isn't as dramatic as Xiao Lü made it out to be. He was just a little sentimental when he heard that Ling Yao had become the sect leader. There's nothing to be sad about.

He should be happy for Lingyao; the plot has progressed another step as originally planned, isn't that a good thing?

In the past, he had always stood by Lingyao's side and experienced things with him, but now he could only learn about his situation from others, which made him feel somewhat uncomfortable.

There will be regrets, after all, as a book fan, being transported into the book but unable to witness the protagonist reach the peak would be a pity for anyone.

As for the sudden death of the Sixth Elder, this part is not mentioned in the original work.

However, the Sixth Elder didn't have many scenes to begin with, so her absence wouldn't hinder the plot's development.

Moreover, the Demonic Sect is full of talented people; if one of them is gone, another will naturally take her place.

Then the task of advancing the plot will fall to new people, so there's no difference.

Long Cheng and Xiao Lü finally stopped fighting, and Yin Ming eventually followed them to the kitchen, half-heartedly.

As for why Xiao Lü calls Yin Ming "Master Yin", it's because after it had a huge argument with Long Cheng yesterday and they ended up in a draw, Xiao Lü immediately became Yin Ming's apprentice and learned cooking skills from him, determined to become the head chef of the Dragon Palace.

After performing the formal apprenticeship ceremony, Xiao Lü even prepared its signature dish and served it to Yin Ming to taste.

After eating that dark, sour, sweet, bitter, and spicy dish, Yin Ming said—

Xiao Lü's intentions are good, but let's not set off yet.

***

The Holy Spirit Palace of the Demon Sect, the study.

After the succession ceremony, Lingyao's first order was to summon the Grand Elder to his study for a meeting.

Ling Geng stood in front of the study with mixed feelings. Thinking that everything was finally on the right track, he sighed in his heart. It had not been easy along the way.

Although we lost a disciple with exceptional talent and a junior sister with considerable ability in the process, as long as we can gain the young master... no, now it should be the sect master.

As long as it can lead to the awakening of the sect leader, everything will be worthwhile.

Composing himself, Ling Geng pushed open the door and stepped into the study.

Lingyao, dressed in red, stood in front of the desk, his tall figure with his back to the newcomer. At first glance, he really did have the demeanor of the previous family head.

Sensing that the person he was waiting for had arrived, Lingyao turned around slowly with a bloodthirsty smile on his lips.

This old guy wasn't as smart as he thought; a few nice words from him were enough to fool him.

A fleeting ruthlessness flashed in Lingyao's eyes, so cold it made one feel as if they were in the dead of winter.

Ha, these people killed Yin Ming, and they still want him to obediently become their sect leader? What a pipe dream!

When he could find no more drops of decadent pleasure, the last breath he had left his body was released.

He was now nothing more than a walking corpse. He originally wanted to follow Yin Ming immediately, but he didn't want to let the murderers who indirectly killed Yin Ming get away with it too easily.

They ruined his happiness, so don't blame him for taking them down with him even in death!

What was even more unexpected was that he used the pretext of agreeing to succeed as sect leader to trick the Grand Elder into revealing the identity of the Sixth Elder.

Very well, none of these executioners will escape!

As the sect leader, he executed the Sixth Elder and also killed all the secret guards who had served by their side.

Now, it's that old scoundrel's turn.

Lingyao playfully flexed his wrists to stretch his muscles and bones, then raised his chin to signal Linggeng to look at the desk.

"Thank you for your help with today's ceremony, Elder. This is a ginseng soup that I specially ordered to be prepared. Please drink it while it's hot."

His expression was so nonchalant that Ling Geng had no suspicions. He bowed and said, "Thank you, Sect Master," before stepping forward to pick up the bowl of medicine.

Ling Geng had just noticed the three sheets of paper neatly pressed down with a paperweight in the center of the desk. He quickly glanced at the contents while picking up the cup.

Upon discovering that it was Yin Ming's farewell letter to the sect leader, Ling Geng casually remarked something.

Ling Geng never imagined that this unintentional remark would save his life.