The Transmigrated Male Lead Confessed to Me - Chapter 19 (Part 1)

Su Zhen looked at those pleading, shimmering blue eyes and felt a bit dazed.

How old is this guy?!

—How can he act so coquettishly without hesitation?!

“Senior.”

She spoke with mixed feelings. “I’m not entirely sure what would count as fresh or interesting for you. How about trying the ‘Huoxu Technique’?”

Teaching him was certainly an option.

Judging from the current situation, it seemed that they both harbored a wealth of esoteric and forbidden arts.

Perhaps, because of his age, Xiao Yu knew more than she did. However, she knew a fair amount as well and could certainly come up with things he didn’t know.

She even had some original techniques of her own creation.

For cultivators at the Golden Immortal stage, creating or modifying techniques was not difficult, though such methods could not easily be shared.

Though she could always claim she’d read it in a book, there was no need for that at the moment.

“I don’t think I’ve heard of it?” Xiao Yu murmured. “Is it another spiritual manipulation technique?”

You’d be a ghost if you’d heard of it, Su Zhen thought to herself.

Although it wasn’t a typical demonic sect technique, the manual documenting this method was something she had once scavenged from the ruins of a destroyed demonic cultivation sect in her past life.

This particular technique had been developed by a long-dead demon cultivator, one he hadn’t had the chance to share with anyone.

During her time in the Demon Realm, she had often engaged in covert observation, picking up discarded treasures—most of the time, for precisely such gains.

“More or less,” Su Zhen said vaguely. “I obtained it by accident. This technique is used to draw others into dreams, disturb their minds, and shake their will. With higher skill, it can even create false omens.”

As she spoke, she carefully observed Xiao Yu’s expression.

The latter listened intently to each word, showing no disdain or revulsion; rather, he seemed fascinated. “False omens?”

Su Zhen raised an eyebrow, “There are indeed those who dabble in divination and dream interpretation, relying on visions that sometimes turn true and sometimes don’t, so they come to believe in prophetic dreams…”

Xiao Yu smiled. “That does sound interesting.”

Su Zhen knew he understood. “…As long as he remains unaware that someone is deliberately creating the signs. If you make him feel that calamity awaits him outside, he will not dare to step a single foot out of his dwelling.”

She laughed. “But it’s just a minor trick, likely something you wouldn’t need.”

Xiao Yu shook his head slightly, “For me, if I were to rank techniques, my only criterion would be the difficulty and time required to learn them. What they do, or whether they are traditional sect techniques or demonic arts, is irrelevant. I have a particular fondness for complex, challenging techniques.”

Su Zhen cast him a thoughtful look.

In fact, she agreed with this sentiment.

However, many people considered five-element techniques and sword arts as superior, with all else being lesser paths.

Over time, she grew tired of arguing with others. If someone confronted her, she would simply shut them up with force.

Later, she met more people and discovered that many of them didn’t care about such things.

While not absolute, stronger people tended to have broader perspectives.

Then, she spent time in the Demon Realm, where none of these distinctions mattered.

Demon cultivators and demons alike were unscrupulous, caring little for morality or rules, or what techniques one used.

For now, however, no one knew of her accomplishments in the field of mystical arts.

At this point in her previous life, she had devoted most of her time to the path of the sword.

Su Zhen crossed her arms. “So, Senior, what do you intend to exchange with me?”

Xiao Yu pondered for a moment, “Why don’t you tell me first, which area of the arts are you most interested in?”

But before she could respond, he held his forehead. “Actually, never mind. You’re the type who’ll take anything, so that question is pointless.”

Su Zhen frowned, “That’s certainly not—”

It wasn’t just mystical arts—if it were sword techniques or even secret techniques related to alchemy, medicine, or forging, she would accept anything.

Although she wasn’t highly skilled in some of those, if they were too advanced or esoteric, she might not even understand.

Su Zhen: “—Well, it’s not like I’m just asking for nothing. Senior, feel free to choose any technique that you think I shouldn’t already know. Oh, sword techniques are fine too.”

Xiao Yu raised an eyebrow. “Are you sure?”

“Why not?”

Su Zhen blinked. “I’m a sword cultivator, after all. I know you could compile several books with the sword techniques you’ve created.”

“If you’re interested, I’d definitely…”

Xiao Yu looked like he wanted to say something, then chuckled helplessly. “I just thought you wouldn’t be that interested, but it seems your swordsmanship talents are also quite unprecedented.”

Su Zhen was uncertain. “Unprecedented? Aren’t you the ‘precedent’? My talent in swordsmanship surely doesn’t surpass yours?”

Xiao Yu considered it. “Really? I feel we’re about equal.”

Su Zhen: “……”

How on earth did you get that idea?!

Su Zhen said sincerely, “I suppose my talent in swordsmanship is somewhat lacking compared to my talent in mystical arts. I became a sword cultivator mainly because my master was a well-known sword cultivator, and I felt it would be a waste not to study the sword.”

She had long been aware of her innate talent in the mystical arts.

Whether it was five-element techniques, spiritual manipulation, spatial techniques, or various curses and demonic arts, she seemed to pick them up faster than sword arts.

But precisely because of this, she didn’t particularly need her master’s guidance in that area.

Xiao Yu took a light breath. “We’re really in sync. I had no idea of my talents back then, but after becoming a disciple, I had exactly the same thoughts as you.”

Su Zhen couldn’t help but glance at him, “Jingyang Xianzun is far stronger than my master. Back then, she was renowned as the ‘Sword Saint,’ while my master was only in the Quasi-Saint realm.”

“Hmm, I’ve thought of something to trade for your techniques.”

Xiao Yu’s eyes lit up. “This is something my master taught me back then. It was one of her unique techniques, and she didn’t forbid us from teaching it to others—”

Su Zhen’s interest was piqued, and she focused intently.

But before he could finish, a crisp call sounded from behind.

“Senior Sister!”

Su Zhen’s face fell instantly.

She had many ways to remain unnoticed by those around her, but now they were merely on a bustling street in the Weiyun Peak marketplace, far from any real danger, and most of the cultivators here were mindful.

As long as she showed she was busy, they’d merely greet her and not linger for conversation.

So she hadn’t bothered using any spiritual energy to conceal herself.

However, it just so happened that Liu Yunyao was approaching.

Su Zhen turned and, across the street, saw a girl in a red dress walking toward them.

The people passing by greeted her, and Liu Yunyao responded perfunctorily, but her gaze remained fixed on Su Zhen with a conflicted expression.

She seemed hesitant, and her steps were slow.

Nearby cultivators finished their greetings and, noticing her reluctance to speak, didn’t approach further.

Meanwhile, two people nearby resumed their conversation.

The senior sister was explaining matters about the Demon Realm to her junior sister, “…Therefore, all the Demon Gods are auspicious divine beasts, formed by gathering the world’s spiritual energy and created through the workings of heaven and earth, emerging as a creation of the world.”

“The great lords of the Demon Realm are usually their descendants and share some blood ties, allowing them to inherit their strength.”

The junior sister nodded uncertainly. “Senior Sister, are Demon Gods completely different from Demon Lords?”

“Yes, and Demon Gods aren’t living beings. They are born from malevolent miasma, absorbing countless souls, accumulating vast malevolence and endless suffering, and ultimately coalescing into a chaotic form.”

As the senior sister spoke, her expression turned to one of disgust.

Fear flickered in her eyes as she continued, “The demon cultivators are influenced by these beings and are thus drawn into the demonic path. Some were originally righteous cultivators, but have since entered a path of eternal damnation.”

“What about demon clans? How are they different from demonic creatures?”

“They’re like the difference between humans, birds, and beasts. Demonic creatures act on instinct, while the demon clans have intellect, desires, and cultivation abilities. They have closer ties with the Demon Gods, inherently evil, and consumed by endless urges for devouring and destruction. They seek either to destroy us or turn us into their own kind—there’s no third option…”

Liu Yunyao’s face paled.

However, she had been in the sect for years and had heard similar things before.

She had just barely advanced to the Qi Refining stage, and her physique had improved significantly. Even after the two of them had walked a bit further, she could still hear their conversation.

“Those who follow them…”

“The Demon God of Blood Sacrifice, Soul Devouring Sect, delighting in bloodshed and cruelty, reveling in pain…”

“The Demon God of Luminous Shadows, Moon-Worship Sect, fiercely determined, obstinately self-serving…”

“The Demon God of Decrees, Chariot Sect, insatiably greedy, covetous beyond measure…”

“And…”

Liu Yunyao clenched her fingers.

“The Demon God of Illusions, Myriad Forms Sect, deceitful and treacherous, faithless and untrustworthy…”

At the same time, Su Zhen was thinking.

If she wanted to leave, it would be easy, but if her junior sister had something to say, refusing to listen today would mean her junior sister would ask Yuchen Xianzun to summon her, which would be even more bothersome.

The two had just reached the corner.

Xiao Yu was a little behind and stood in the shadow of a lamppost, blending in with the surroundings.

Su Zhen’s mind worked quickly. After their relaxed interactions earlier, her instinctive response was to gently push him.

“Step back a bit.”

Xiao Yu continued standing in place, not flinching as she reached out.

Her fingertips touched the luxurious, dark brocade sleeve. Beneath the thick, sturdy fabric, she could feel the distinct, muscular contours of his arm—solid, powerful, and brimming with strength.

Xiao Yu remained motionless, his expression showing a trace of confusion.

Su Zhen only brushed against him for a moment before pulling back, not lingering on him. Seeing his expression, she suddenly realized, “Um, Senior, I didn’t mean—”