Wang Lin’s gaze was serene as he pointed at the compass beneath him with a practiced hand gesture. The compass spun wildly, unleashing every ward and enchantment within the palace in a furious assault upon the fallen sorceress.

A piercing shriek echoed from the corpse-witch, a sound laden with a force that shattered numerous protective spells.

Panic flickered in the witch’s eyes as she retreated, but Wang Lin was swift. His right eye flashed with azure light, manifesting a shield of pure energy that slammed into the sorceress, halting her escape with a resounding recoil. With another gesture, Wang Lin channeled the gathered wards to bind the sorceress.

The corpse-witch wailed, and the iron chains upon her collarbone shuddered. A miasma of black fog erupted, engulfing her form as she spat forth a pair of crimson shears, slashing upwards with dreadful force!

A thunderous boom echoed as the shears tore through the barriers, ripping open a path to the palace ceiling. The corpse-witch surged through the breach, seeking escape.

Seeing her almost free, Wang Lin’s expression remained cold. With a thought, the spectral image of an Ancient God’s cauldron materialized above him.

“Transposition!” Wang Lin’s calm command resonated through the chamber. The corpse-witch shimmered, and as she neared the apex of the palace, she vanished, her form instantly exchanged with Wang Lin’s, who had been seated at the heart of the compass!

In a heartbeat, Wang Lin occupied the space the corpse-witch had sought to escape through. The sorceress stood ensnared at the compass’s center. The compass spun with renewed frenzy, its wards coiling about the witch. Other wards came from around, sheathed her.

Caught unaware, and weakened by her previous injuries, the corpse-witch was soon enveloped by countless restraints. Her feet seemed to be rooted to the compass by some unknown force, and she could not move. She struggled against it, screaming, the sound piercing and far-reaching.

Wang Lin descended, his eyes fixed on the struggling sorceress. His right hand shot out, grasping the iron chains about her collarbone and tearing them free with brutal force.

The corpse-witch shuddered, her shriek fading to a whimper. Her eyes, once sharp, now clouded with a profound hatred as they looked upon Wang Lin.

The severed chains writhed, transforming into a venomous black serpent that lunged for Wang Lin’s arm. He did not flinch as the serpent struck. With a sickening crack, the serpent’s fangs shattered against Wang Lin’s skin, leaving no mark. The flesh of a five-star Ancient God was impervious to such petty poison.

Wang Lin crushed the serpent in his fist, reducing it to a pile of broken iron. Without pause, he reached out again, tearing the chains from her collarbone with another agonized scream from the sorceress. He shattered them as well.

The corpse-witch slumped to the floor, her strength failing. Wang Lin expelled a wisp of primordial spirit energy, infusing the compass. He sat in meditation nearby, his fingers weaving intricate patterns as he channeled power into the sorceress.

“Within the Jade Scrolls of the Immortal Emperor Qinglin, there is a technique called Corpse Ward,” Wang Lin murmured, “It slays one’s enemies, infusing them with materials to create a puppet, free of pain, ever-ready to defend its master. I lack the now extinct components to forge a true Corpse Ward, but I can adapt the control methods.” He closed his eyes, his hands dancing through the air, weaving the ancient signs into the fallen sorceress.

Days turned into weeks, the rising and setting sun marking the passage of time. Wang Lin had dwelled upon the Water Spirit Star for three months, dedicating himself to the subjugation of the corpse-witch.

The process demanded unwavering focus. Wang Lin rarely left the palace, pausing only to utter new incantations.

Within the palace, the ten-foot compass continued its tireless spin. The corpse-witch sat upon it in lotus position, her body radiating a faint silver light. Upon her brow, a newly formed mark pulsed with energy.

Her features were serene, the hatred gone. If an outsider were to behold her, they would never believe the truth of her. She appeared as nothing more than a beautiful cultivator.

While Wang Lin cultivated on the Water Spirit Star, events unfolded on the Heaven’s Fate Star. A rogue cultivator named Situ Nan had risen to infamy, becoming the master of the Rouge Palace. However, his reputation was less than savory.

In those three months, almost every female disciple from the small and medium sects of Heaven’s Fate Star had been… “approached” by him. He offered tutelage in advanced cultivation arts, and promised pills to elevate their cultivation, gathering a following that swelled the ranks of the Rouge Palace.

His days were filled with pleasure. When he ventured out, he was surrounded by thousands of female cultivators. The name of Situ Nan became synonymous with lasciviousness.

To his credit, Situ Nan kept his promises, bestowing pills and cultivation arts to those who joined his palace. And should their original sects seek retribution, Situ Nan would confront them, reminding them of his immense strength. So, the ranks of the Rouge Palace grew and grew, as did the reputation of Situ Nan.

It reached Situ Nan’s ears that two female disciples of the Dust Dao Three were rumored to be peerless beauties. One with an innate Water Spiritual Root, the other with a cold demeanor. With this, Situ Nan’s interest was piqued. After deliberation, he led his Rouge Palace off of Heaven’s Fate Star, heading straight for Water Spirit Star.

The procession was vast, filled entirely with women in pink robes. At their center was a jade bed, tens of yards long, where Situ Nan was laid out. He was surrounded by his concubines, looking as pleased as could be. Leading them was a man in blue. He wore a lecherous smile as he bowed and said: “Senior Situ, I assure you that the two women are a sight to behold. Zhao Xue is breathtaking. And Ling’er has an innate Water Spiritual Root! She is perfect!”

Situ Nan laughed, nodding. “If they are as you say, I will give you whatever reward you want. Pills, techniques, whatever!”

The man eagerly thanked him and spoke of more flattering things. “Zhao Xue, you and your pride will be broken today! And Ling’er, there is no escape for you either!”

Situ Nan knew exactly what the man’s intentions were. The man desired those two women. But, Situ Nan did not care.

“A Water Spiritual Root is perfect for my brother. I will give them to him as a gift.” Situ Nan thought of Wang Lin. For months he had tried to find him. He dared not enter Skycloud Sect due to a powerful restriction in place.

The situation was met with confusion by all the cultivators of Heaven’s Fate Star.

None knew that Skycloud had ordered a lockdown of the sect.

However, there were some disciples outside the sect. Some had been coaxed to “visit” Rouge Palace by Situ Nan. Under interrogation, he learned of Wang Lin’s legend at the Demon Spirit Land.

Those things were already known, but it was the first confirmation. Situ Nan laughed, “This is the brother that I know!” He found that Wang Lin had returned a few months ago.

Situ Nan knew that Wang Lin was planning something big. He wondered what Wang Lin was planning.

“Could it be that his strength increased?” Situ Nan could not think of the answer, but he believed that Wang Lin must be going to the Demon Spirit Land. That meant that Wang Lin would stay in the area for some time.

Situ Nan would wait.

On this day, with the blue-robed man leading them, Situ Nan arrived at Water Spirit Star! “I am such a good brother! Giving this gift to Lin! I wonder what he will think?” Situ Nan laughed.

He was thought of as an old pervert by all.