Cold.
Cold was the best word to describe the Anyue state's atmosphere. A dark moon hung at the epicenter of the sky, covering two-thirds of a 24h-day period in complete darkness. Many of the crops essential to mortal lives couldn't grow in the Anyue state, forcing the importation of various agricultural goods. Worse, over the generations, the dark moon modified the genetic makeup of the country's citizens. Making it so that, male or female, most were predisposed to cultivating Yin-based techniques.
On the male side, eunuchs and effeminate boys filled the streets. On the female side, beauties of flawless stature and captivating feminine qualities stood out, luring the eyes of the male foreigners that had the misfortune to stray into Anyue. Due to "proper" local males becoming a dying breed, foreign males didn't need travel permits to enter Anyue.
Seduced by fantasies of big-bootied beauties on every street, some foolish males ignored all warnings to rush into the Anyue state -- never to be heard of again.
But those...aren't the topic of today's show. At the back of Anyue capital's royal palace, several miles out of the city, a dark-blue mountain pierced through the sky. The dark moon originated from and floated above that mountain, its corrupt rays empowering the Dark Moon Cult's priestesses while twisting the psyche of their most vulnerable members -- the majority, really.
One of the least vulnerable sat crossed-legged in her cultivation temple, dark moonlight orbiting her form as her hands flashed in a succession of mudras. Full of pagan allure, her skin-tight priestess dress left her bountiful cleavage exposed -- revealing her lustrous flesh that shimmered with a riveting appeal.
The Dark Moon Cult's ruby and tourmaline grand priestess headdress hung over her head, but unlike the other grand priestesses, that woman's dress didn't come from the Dark Moon Cult's treasury, instead coming straight from the hands of the Divine Tailor who, following the signing of a deal with the Dark Moon Cult, sent the dress as a gift to their 33rd Grand Priestess.
"Enjoy the gift, but don't ask me how I know your measurements. The answer might send you into cultivation deviation." These were the words that the Divine Tailor personally attached to his gift. the 33rd Grand Priestess, Zi Yao, tried to read through the lines and handwriting. The style brought a certain insolent monk's face to her mind, but unable or unwilling to connect the Divine Tailor to that person, Zi Yao rejected her guess.
Still, subconsciously, as she stared at the words, the grand priestess gently stroked her abdomen.
'You can use all the tricks you want to delay and hide it, but the other grand priestesses, especially that hierarch of yours, aren't dupes -- and are likely already aware of your pregnancy.
You're a married woman that got separated from her husband following a sect calamity, so initially no one would have thought much of your pregnancy. But by trying so hard to hide it, you're effectively telling your fellow grand priestesses and hierarch that...you've been naughty. Zi Yao, Zi Yao, I didn't expect you to be the naughty type. But who can blame you? After all, it's him. My beloved and irresistible...him!' A crazed swooning voice pealed in Zi Yao's mind.
Over the last three months, Zi Yao often heard that voice, and believing that her demonic practices plus the Dark Moon Cult's environment ended up creating a personality split, she didn't pay it too much attention. Little did she know that the voice stemmed from Hengye Yuemi, formerly the Lord-Regent of the Eternal Night Dynasty.
The pregnancy and Yuemi's appearance multiplied Zi Yao's cultivation speed. Hints of Divine Power laced her qi and soul but stayed concealed by the overwhelming presence of her Evil Qi. Strangely, the Divine Power didn't seriously conflict with the Evil Qi and, whenever the red sigil that appeared on her abdomen following the start of her pregnancy flashed, Divine Power and Evil Qi showed signs of entering a perfect harmony.
'Shut up, I'm in the middle of a breakthrough," Zi Yao said and closed her eyes. A blend of dark moonlight, Divine Power and Evil Qi flashed in her red and purple eyes -- dazzling the room as the grand priestess broke through...to the late stage of Divine Transformation.
Now, if she assumed her demonic transformation and unleashed all her abilities, Zi Yao had the confidence to defeat most experts under the Void Tribulant realm. 'But that...isn't enough. Zi Yao, Zi Yao, you're too slow. Should that 29th Horde decide to target the Dark Moon Cult with all its might, neither that Tieshan nor you would be able to stop their offensive. After all, they have several Anointed Holy Beasts. Mmh...how exciting. This is why you should accept my offer and let me freely boost your tities.'
'...' Again, Yuemi tried to sway Zi Yao. But unwilling to give the intruder an opening to take full control of her psyche, Zi Yao stayed silent. Little did she know that, if not for her pregnancy, Yuemi wouldn't have had much trouble turning her into a true avatar.
'I promise, with me in control, you'll sweep through the Eastern Continent and become an unparalleled existence. Even the Bloodstone Patriarch that destroyed your sect and infected you with the poison that prevents you from staying too close to your relatives, will not be a threat. You can finally have revenge on that demon.'
'...'
'Oh! Now I know why you're delaying your pregnancy! It's not just the shame! Your baby will have your bloodline, so you're afraid...that the poison would kill it as well. I wouldn't be worried about that. Your baby's dad isn't Guang Fanghu, after all. You can't put Xinzi and Guang Fanghu's genes on the same level.'
"SHUT UP!" Unable to digest these words, Zi Yao slammed her fist into the ground -- unleashing violent vibration waves that turned her private temple upside down. Alarmed by the commotion, Zi Yao's subordinate priestesses left seclusion, but before they could investigate the situation, her Spiritual Sense swept through them -- oozing rage and killing intent that dissuaded all investigations.
'Why are you angry at me? I'm not the one that told you to spread your legs for a monk by centuries your junior. A monk! How bold, how salacious! Zi Yao, I'm proud of you.' Never one to stop rubbing salt in the wound, Yuemi pressed on, determined to make Zi Yao's psyche unravel.
But at that time, a whirlwind of mystical energies assembled in Zi Yao's room, marking the arrival of yet another intruder.
Dressed in a long red gown that trailed on the ground, the intruder kept her face concealed by colorful clouds, and without Zi Yao's approval, sat in the seiza position.
"33rd Grand Priestess, please have a seat. I've personally made the trip to give you an opportunity...to save the Dark Moon Cult from extermination," Daji said and motioned for Zi Yao to take a seat.
