The Demonic Cultivator Has No Heart

Want to cultivate immortality? Go to school first.

The 18th graduating class of the Demon Cultivation Academy is taking its final exams, now in full swing.

Under her master's assurance that, "I could answer these questions with my eyes closed and my feet, so go ahead and draw one," Yin Que receives her exam question:

[Infiltrate the righteous sect and take the most beloved treasure of the number one righteous cultivator.]

Yin Que is baffled: Who is the number one righteous cultivator?

She asks for help on the demon cultivators' forum, and gets four different answers:

The Buddha's heir from Great Brilliance Temple, the young lord of Pure Sword Manor, the Daoist Lord of Thousand Frost Snow Monastery, and the Crown Prince of the Rui'an Dynasty.

Yin Que falls into deep thought: Which one is actually on my exam?

To graduate, Yin Que has no choice but to infiltrate them one by one and try every option.

At an ancient temple lit by green lamps, the Buddha's heir coughs up blood nonstop. The little demoness he rescued and raised in his meditation room cuts out her inner core and holds it out to him with hopeful eyes.

Yin Que: Could you trade your treasure for my...

The Buddha's heir looks conflicted: I know how you feel. Even if the world will not accept us, I will never let you down.

The young lord of Pure Sword Manor goes down the mountain to exterminate demons, but is ambushed and made to swallow a love potion. He takes the antidote at once, then pretends to be under the potion's influence and falls deeply in love with the antidote's key ingredient.

The person who provides the ingredient feels terribly guilty. The young lord uses her to destroy a demon lair, then reveals the truth on the day the deed is done: I never loved you.

Yin Que: That's all right, I forgive you. Could you give me your...

The young lord: So from now on, I'll learn to love you.

At Thousand Frost Snow Monastery, the Daoist Lord raises his friend's orphaned daughter at the friend's request. Cold-hearted and aloof, he thinks of it as nothing more than a nuisance that will not last long.

Yin Que is well-behaved and filial for many years, but searches the entire monastery without finding a single thing the Daoist Lord cares about.

Disappointed, she bids farewell to her elder: I am now old enough to marry, so I must take my leave.

The Daoist Lord closes his eyes, his voice slightly hoarse: Don't go. I'll give you a wedding procession stretching ten miles.

In the Rui'an Dynasty, the Crown Prince hosts a banquet to entrap the Third Prince, who harbors treasonous ambitions. The Third Prince gladly accepts the invitation, bringing along his betrothed, who has yet to join his household.

Yin Que follows her convenient fiance to feast at the banquet. While arranging a false identity for her, the Third Prince tells her: This is a dangerous banquet. I need you to take a blade for me.

But the feast passes without incident, all the way until the music ends and the guests disperse.

Yin Que follows the Third Prince to take her leave, but the Crown Prince says: Sister-in-law, please stay.

In the East Palace, the night is cold and the wind bitter. The Crown Prince grips Yin Que by the wrist and says: Once Father dies, the empire will be mine. Rather than follow a traitor, why not become my Crown Princess?

With the exam deadline drawing near, her master, who has waited in vain for Yin Que to return, finally realizes he gave her the wrong exam question and hurriedly summons her back to school.

Yin Que: Master, save me!

Yin Que: My identity's been exposed, and all four exam candidates are after me. What should I do? QAQ

Bonus scene:

The Buddha's heir / the young lord / the Daoist Lord / the Crown Prince: Which of the things you told me was true?

Yin Que: Every word was true. I really do want to graduate.

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Theme: Hard work brings rewards