ã€ŠThe Beauty Cultivation Techniqueã€‹


 Vol. 1 - Chapter 1 - Desperate Situation

    Clouds and mist swirl. Towering mountains stand like des, carving the earth to create immortals, splitting the sky to build pces, thus forming the Wu Xiang Sword Sect.

    Of the most ancient three mountains, two seas, and five celestial sects of the Wan Hua Immortal World, the Wu Xiang Sword Sect of Wan Ren Mountain upies one mountain as one sect. It is one of the oldest and most orthodox sects in this vast Shenzhou. Among the five celestial sects that stand tall and unique in Wan Hua, none can match the deep roots of Wu Xiang, which can be traced back to ancient times. Thus, Wu Xiang Sword Sect has be the top sect among the celestial gates.

    Therefore, it''s not just the ordinary cultivators who wish to enter the threshold of Wu Xiang Sword Sect, even mortals seeking the Dao flock to the foot of Wan Ren Mountain every year, causing a ruckus.

    However, the mountain gate of Wan Ren Mountain opens only once every thirty years, only then the prohibitive formations outside the heavenlydder disappear. Mortals gather here to cultivate and when the gate finally opens, they scramble to ascend the heavenlydder, grasping the opportunity to set foot on it.

    But this heavenlydder is just the beginning of the arduous trials before the celestial gate.

    "Fellow Daoist, climb quickly, stop looking around." An old voice came from an elderly man with white hair. Reminding a young cultivator in his twenties.

    The young cultivator, reminded by the elder, looked up at the five-colored clouds in the sky with longing eyes. This sight reminded the elder of himself from decades ago. The mountain gate opens every thirty years, and since he was twenty, he has guarded this ce for seventy years. He has ascended the heavenlydder twice but failed outside the heavenly gate each time. This is likely hisst chance to ascend thedder.

    Entering the celestial gate is challenging.

    "What is that?" The young cultivator pointed at the clouds and asked.

    The elder, with more experience, replied, "Probably disciples of the Wu Xiang Sword Sect out on a training mission."

    "Flying on swords, how enviable!" The young cultivator eximed with emotion, then grabbed the elder''s hand and hurriedly climbed up.

    The heavenlydder seemed endless, and all the cultivators exerted their utmost effort to ascend. However, thedder only admits the top one hundred cultivators each time, making it their first path of contention in the celestial realm. The young cultivator, pulling the elder, made a sudden effort and surpassed many. But an unscrupulous individual, envious of them, tripped the elder.

    The steep heavenlydder caused the elderly and the young to roll down. The sharp edges of the mountain path were lethal weapons, and their lives were at stake. Suddenly, the floating clouds above descended, and a slender figure shed like lightning.

    ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª

    "Are you two alright?"

    A warm female voice, like pearls and jade, awakened the observing mortals.

    A woman in a frosty green dress stood with a sword on the heavenlydder, her face radiant with a warm smile mixed with a hint of pity and curiosity. Her stunning beauty was rare in both the celestial and mortal realms.

    Although she appeared youthful, she addressed the elderly man as "Little Friend," indicating that she must have been cultivating for many years, with a lifespan already longer than his, despite her youthful appearance.

    "Thank you, Immortal, for saving our lives!" The elder, pulling the stunned young cultivator, was about to kneel and perform a grand gesture of gratitude.

    "It was a trivial matter, no need for formalities." The woman gently lifted her sleeve, stopping them from bowing, her smile unwavering. "The path to immortality is hard. Work hard, and farewell." After speaking, she prepared to leave.

    "Who are you?" The young cultivator suddenly leaped up and asked, "Tell me, who are you?"

    "She is our Wu Xiang Sword Sect ancestor Xie''s direct disciple, Senior Sister Bai Yun!" Another young woman descended from the clouds to answer. She was also exceptionally beautiful, with a proud and arrogant demeanor, unlike Bai Yun''s warm and steady presence.

    Upon hearing this, the crowd was abuzz, and their gazes towards her changed dramatically.

    ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª

    "Fellow Daoist Gao, who is Bai Yun?"

    After the two female cultivators left, the young cultivator pulled the elder and asked.

    Who is Bai Yun?

    The elder looked at the remaining misty clouds in the sky and said inly, "Immortal Bai Yun is Xie Lengyue¡¯s disciple, the only direct disciple of Wu Xiang Sword Sect''s ancestor. She was brought back to the sect by the ancestor from the mortal world as a child. With extraordinary talent, she formed her golden core within just two hundred years. She is someone we have long admired. I never thought... never thought I would meet her here."

    His voice trembled slightly with excitement.

    The name Bai Yun is a new legend in both the celestial and mortal realms, like a rising sun.

    ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª

    As a legend, Bai Yun felt no sense of being legendary. As a cultivator who had been disciplined for over two hundred years, her life in the prestigious Wu Xiang Sword Sect was both austere and monotonous. Cultivating immortality was not easy, and even with her extraordinary talent, forming a golden core within two hundred years required tremendous effort. Her master was strict and demanding, leaving her with nothing but cultivation day after day.

    Therefore, every time she went down the mountain for training, whether it was to y demons or seek treasures, she was exceptionally happy.

    "The mortal cultivators outside the mountain gate are getting worse every year. Any Tom, Dick, or Harry wants to sneak into our sect. Only you, Senior Sister, are kind enough to still care about them," the charming young girl standing proudly by the stone said, pouting.

    "As cultivators, we should take the responsibility of upholding the world. Saving them was just a small effort, why not?" Bai Yun smiled as she sat cross-legged on the stone, "Baili, you''ve studied under Master Yu for many years, how are you still so childish?"

    Though it was a lesson, her words and demeanor held no harshness, only a bit of indulgence. She envied and cherished her junior sister Baili Qing, who grew up with her. Baili Qing was raised under Master Yu, who was lenient. With ordinary talent, Baili Qing had light daily tasks and lived freely, forming an unrestrained and proud character.

    Unlike her, who sat confined on the mountain, oblivious to the world''s affairs.

    Because she couldn''t have it, she envied it. Because it touched her heart, she treated Baili Qing with a bit of indulgence.

    Baili Qing dismissed her advice, her eyes rolling with mischievous thoughts. "It''s because they have poor talent and won''t achieve much on the path to immortality. Instead of wasting effort on the heavenlydder, they''d be better off living peacefully in the mortal world, getting married, and enjoying a hundred years of good life. What''s wrong with that?"

    Bai Yun shook her head helplessly. "You have so many twisted arguments. Cultivating immortality is hard. If everyone gave up because of difficulties, how would they cultivate? Transforming from mortal flesh to immortal, it''s all defying heaven. How can it be easy? You talk so much about marriage¡­ could it be that you want to find a dual cultivation partner?"

    Baili Qing snorted coldly. "I won''t argue with you, Senior Sister. You always have lofty ideas. But don''t drag me into this. Whether I want to dual cultivate doesn''t matter. I do know that before this training, Senior Brother Gu has already asked the Sect Leader to propose to the ancestor, requesting to marry you to him. Senior Sister, I''m looking forward to drinking your dual cultivation wedding wine."

    Bai Yunughed and scolded her a few times, but her cheeks flushed with shyness, and her usuallyposed expression showed a hint of girlish charm, making her even more captivating. As the mountain breeze rustled the grass and trees, she remembered his clear, spring-like eyes. He was only ten years older than her and had watched her grow up since she joined the sect. He guided her in swordsmanship, taught her cultivation techniques word by word, and instructed her on the secrets of magical tools, like a brother and a friend, protecting her from childhood to her blossoming years.

    The romantic love people often talked about was, to her, just this two-hundred-yearpanionship, day in and day out.

    Like a clear spring flowing gently, nurturing a deep affection, not grand butsting.

    The ground suddenly trembled, and Bai Yun pulled her thoughts back, exchanging nces with Baili Qing.

    "There''s movement in the Skeleton Cave. It seems the Skeleton Beast has returned early. Let''s go check it out. Baili, stay behind me and don''t act rashly." Bai Yun stood up, gave a few instructions, and then flew towards the nearby stone cave like a shooting star.

    A sh of blood-red light crossed Baili Qing''s eyes as she followed.

    ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª

    "Baili¡ª¡ª"

    Bai Yun looked at Baili Qing, who was caught by the Skeleton Beast''s bone spike, her eyes filled with pain and anger. The Skeleton Cave was supposed to be the final challenge of their sect training, but something had gone wrong.

    Baili Qing''s face was pale, using all her strength to hold the Skeleton Beast''s bone spike. The Skeleton Beast couldn''t move, and Bai Yun seized the opportunity, forming a Wu Xiang Sword Formation, her voice sharp. Sword lights interweaved and pierced the Skeleton Beast''s body. The beast roared in pain, throwing Baili Qing aside. Bai Yun leaped and caught her, holding her in her arms.

    "Senior Sister, it''s myck of skill that dragged you down. Don''t worry about me, just... escape..." Baili Qing said weakly. The Skeleton Beast was highly skilled. They hade to investigate, and it was her carelessness that alerted the beast, causing this disaster.

    "I''ll take you and escape." Bai Yun said decisively, ready to carry her.

    "Senior Sister, watch out!" Baili Qing suddenly shouted, shielding her with her body.

    The Skeleton Beast''s bone spike attacked silently.

    The cold bone spike pierced through Baili Qing''s back, blood dripping onto Bai Yun''s face. Bai Yun''s eyes filled with rage and sorrow as she looked at Baili Qing, who had saved her life, biting her tongue and using herst strength to drive her sword into the Skeleton Beast''s body. The beast fell with a roar, and she turned, "Junior Sister..."

    In response, Baili Qing suddenly struck with a blood-red palm print. A beam of light flew from Baili Qing''s forehead and entered Bai Yun''s brow.

    "You..." Before she could finish, Bai Yun closed her eyes.

    ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª

    "After more than two hundred years, I''ve finally waited for this day. Senior Sister, you''re right. Transforming from flesh to immortal is a path against the heavens, not meant to retreat. I know my talent is ordinary, so I had to take a different path. I give up my mortal body for your immortal bones. Senior Sister, don''t me me. From now on, I am Bai Yun, and I will carry your name forward. Rest in peace."

    In the void of her consciousness, Bai Yun heard Baili Qing''s cold, emotionless words.

    Her primordial spirit, now a virtual image, felt like a cold de, devoid of emotion. Two hundred years of sisterhood meant nothingpared to the unrivaled path to immortality.

    "You gave up your body to seize mine?" Bai Yun''s primordial spirit floated unsteadily, bound by a red string held by Baili Qing.

    Spirit Seizing is the most dangerous and cruel technique in the world of cultivation ¨C a cultivator abandons their own body, enters another''s consciousness, devours their spirit, and takes over their body, with all its cultivation and everything it possesses. The battle of spirit devouring is deadly for both parties. If the invading spirit fails, it will perish, meaningplete annihtion, with no chance for reincarnation.

    Baili Qing''s body was already dead. If she failed to seize the spirit, she would vanish. This was a life-or-death struggle.

    In the path of immortality, human hearts are unpredictable. She never thought she would be betrayed by a close friend, nor did she expect that Baili Qing had been plotting for two hundred years. This span of time, insignificant to immortals, marked the beginning and end of their friendship.

    How much hatred and resentment must Baili Qing have harbored to covet for two hundred years?

    From entering the Skeleton Cave to Baili Qing alerting the Skeleton Beast and sacrificing herself to save her... all these events were meticulously nned, trapping her in a deadly situation.

    "Only after facing death can one be reborn." Baili Qing lightly flicked the red string.

    The string burst with overwhelming demonic energy, not something of the celestial world. Bai Yun''s expression changed drastically, her thoughts racing. Baili Qing was prepared, and though her cultivation wasn''t as high, she had a forbidden demonic artifact. Bai Yun was already injured in her battle with the Skeleton Beast, making it hard to fight back. Her only option was to escape her body and find another way; otherwise, her spirit would be devoured, leaving no chance for resurgence.

    Once decided, she didn''t hesitate.

    A golden core floated out from her primordial spirit, radiating like the sun, creating turbulent clouds in the void. Baili Qing''s eyes sharpened. "What are you doing? Shattering your core?"

    "You''ve forced me into a desperate situation; I''ll seek life in death. Our sisterhood ends here. Today''s matter will be avenged!"

    As the cold voice echoed, the golden core shattered, its blinding light dazzling all. Baili Qing turned away from the light, loosening her grip on the red string slightly. In that moment, Bai Yun''s primordial spirit turned into a beam of white light, escaping into the distance.

    The golden core shattered, destroying two hundred years of cultivation. Though she was defeated, Baili Qing couldn''t keep the heavily injured body either.

    In this world, nothing is irreceable. A body is just a vessel; she could cultivate anew.

    tln : The phrase "Any Tom, Dick, or Harry wants to sneak into our sect" is an expression used to convey that many people, regardless of their qualifications or background, are attempting to join the sect. In this context, it means that individuals who are not particrly talented or special are trying to enter the prestigious Wu Xiang Sword Sect. It''s a way for Baili Qing to express her frustration and disdain towards those she deems unworthy or ordinary.

 Vol. 1 - Chapter 2 - Struggle for Survival

    When a cultivator''s primordial spirit leaves the body, no matter how powerful they are, the soul can only remain intact for seven days. With Bai Yun''s cultivation, she could only keep her primordial spirit intact for three days. If she couldn''t find a body within three days, she would inevitably face the fate of her soul dispersing.

    Along the way, she did encounter cultivators with weak cultivation. However, she couldn''t bring herself to take the body of an innocent person just to extend her own life. Moreover, Baili Qing had released a Soul-Chasing Beast that relentlessly pursued her, leaving her no choice but to keep fleeing.

    Baili Qing, who had schemed and plotted for two hundred years, was ruthless and wouldn''t allow Bai Yun''s primordial spirit to escape, leaving no loose ends. She was determined to eliminate Bai Yunpletely.

    By the third day, Bai Yun was exhausted, her primordial spirit''s energy depleted.

    Surrounding her were green mountains and beautiful scenery, a stark contrast to the destendscape near the Skeleton Cave. Bai Yun calcted that she had likely fled to the territory of Tiyu Prefecture. Tiyu Prefecture had average spiritual energy andcked prominent sects, only scattered with a few rogue cultivators and small sects. The prefecture had seven main mountains, but she didn''t know which one she had ended up on.

    Hiss¡ª

    A cold, eerie sound like ants'' whispers reached her primordial spirit, sending a chill through her, nearly causing her unstable soul to disperse.

    The Soul-Chasing Beast sent by Baili Qing was close by. Despite her prolonged escape, she hadn''t managed to evade its keen sense of smell. She couldn''t afford to linger and chose a remote path to continue fleeing. The scenery around her changed from green mountains to a jagged rock forest. With no time to spare, she delved deeper into the rock forest.

    Hiss¡ª

    Another cold hiss echoed, and the Soul-Chasing Beast was now on her tail.

    The air seemed to solidify as a beast with a ghostly, blue me lunged at her, aiming to pin her down. Bai Yun darted forward, narrowly avoiding the beast''s fangs, but its sharp ws swiped her, sending her hurtling towards a distant mountain area.

    Her weakened primordial spirit couldn''t control her movements, and she felt like a stone falling, sinking rapidly. By the time she regained control, she saw that the Soul-Chasing Beast had stopped in the distance, its head lowered, its front paws digging the ground in agitation, its gaze fierce yet wary.

    It was the perfect opportunity for the beast to devour her primordial spirit, so why did it stop?

    Her question was quickly answered as she sensed an overwhelming wave of spiritual energy behind her.

    She could see the mountain area clearly from where she was; nothing seemed unusual at the boundary. But...

    A restrictive formation?

    Bai Yun looked at the mountain area in surprise. Given the dense spiritual energy and immense pressure, a powerful figure must be inside. But why would a high-level cultivator hide in this low-spiritual-energy region? She couldn''t figure it out. Seeing the Soul-Chasing Beast readying its ws to leap at her, she didn''t have time to think it over. She passed through the formation barrier with her ghostly body, not caring about potential dangers beyond it.

    Safe and sound.

    Bang¡ªthe formation barrier behind her emitted a loud bang, repelling the Soul-Chasing Beast with an invisible force, sending it crashing into distant rocks.

    Bai Yun breathed a sigh of relief. The formation didn''t restrict spiritual bodies.

    ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª

    The scenery inside the formation was no different from the outside, just jagged rocks and nothing else. The sunlight was zing, and it was already past noon on the third day. Bai Yun''s primordial spirit''s light was faint. If she didn''t find a suitable body soon, she wouldn''t need the Soul-Chasing Beast to catch up; her soul would disperse. But with the beast still outside, what could she do?

    Trapped in a difficult situation, she had no choice but to delve deeper, hoping to find another way out.

    Before long, she drifted to the depths of the rock forest. There was no way out, only a massive stone cliff with a deep cave beneath it. The cave had no door, and faint golden light flickered inside, apanied by a powerful pressure. Even as a spiritual body, she had to bow to this pressure, unable to move further.

    Her own cultivation was already strong, and she often encountered powerful cultivators. Such overwhelming pressure was something she had only felt from Ancestor Xie Lengyue and Sect Leader Ye Zhao Lan. No one else had ever given her this kind of pressure.

    Could there be a cultivator of the Transformation Realm or higher hiding here?

    In the Wan Hua cultivation world, a cultivator''s realm starts from Qi Refinement. After seven levels of Qi Refinement, one can begin Foundation Establishment. After shedding the mortal body and establishing the foundation, one can form a Golden Core. With the Golden Core, one can form the Nascent Soul. A perfected Nascent Soul leads to the Transformation Realm. A transformed body bes semi-divine, and after understanding the world, one can reach the Unity Realm. Perfecting the Unity Realm leads to the Void Return, and reaching the Void Return means having a divine body. Beyond that is the Tribtion Realm, where one undergoes the Heavenly Tribtion. If one survives without turning to ashes, they achieve the Great Dao and possess sky-reaching abilities, no longer confined to Wan Hua Shenzhou, but entering a realm with even greater spiritual resources, known in both the celestial and mortal realms as ''Ascension.''

    Each realm''s advancement is exponentially harder. For example, it took her two hundred years to form a Golden Core, marking her as a prodigy in Wan Hua. However, to reach the Nascent Soul, it would take at least another eight hundred years, and from Nascent Soul to Transformation, another two thousand years, assuming no setbacks along the way.

    A total of three thousand years of cultivation would be required to reach the level of the person before her. The difficulty of the immortal path lies in the perseverance over such a long period.

    In the vast Wan Hua, among tens of millions of cultivators, only a handful reach the semi-divine body.

    A cultivator of the Transformation Realm is beyond herprehension. Bai Yun dared not advance further. She turned her spiritual body to the south, attempting to explore elsewhere. Suddenly, the world trembled violently, and she saw a red-d male cultivator outside the formation, continuously attacking it with a sword.

    In an instant, the sky changed color. What had just been a clear sky was now covered with blood clouds.

    Bai Yun, who had cultivated on Wan Ren Mountain for a hundred years, had never witnessed such a fierce battle between great cultivators. For a moment, she was at a loss, unable to advance or retreat.

    The attacks on the formation barrier erupted with bursts of red light. The red-d male cultivatorughed maniacally, seemingly confident in breaking the barrier. Bai Yun''s heart tightened. She could feel that the formation was indeed unstable. As she worried about her escape, the male cultivator conjured a long halberd and struck the barrier.

    Fine cracks appeared in the air; the barrier was about to copse.

    At this critical moment, a giant hand made of spiritual energy suddenly extended from the half-closed cave, grabbing Bai Yun and pulling her inside.

    The cave was filled with golden light. The giant hand moved quickly, and Bai Yun barely had time to see the entire cave. She glimpsed a web of golden light with a person bound in it, their face obscured by the radiance. The giant hand brought Bai Yun''s primordial spirit to the person''s forehead, and she turned into a green light, merging into their forehead.

    The next moment, the world transformed into a vast void.

    This person''s consciousness realm was an endless void.

    ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª

    Stars swirled beneath her feet, and all phenomena alternated and intertwined. Bai Yun was shocked.

    So this is the consciousness of a powerful cultivator. Such...astonishing eyes. She had never seen anything like it.

    A consciousness realm unfolds based on a cultivator''s primordial spirit and the firmness of their will. Bai Yun had grown up praised for her intelligence and talent, and although she was humble, she had a bit of pride, believing her consciousness realm far surpassed her peers. But today, seeing this scene, she realized there was always a higher sky to reach. Her cultivation was merely ant-like inparison.

    Despite her amazement, she didn''t lose focus. She bowed and exined, "I didn''t know an immortal was in seclusion here. It was unforgivable for me to intrude on this forbidden ground. But it was a matter of necessity. A few days ago, I was betrayed by a fellow disciple and had my body seized. Escaping with only my primordial spirit, I was pursued by a Soul-Chasing Beast and had no choice but to seek refuge here. I beg for your understanding, Immortal, and forgiveness for the disturbance."

    As she exined, a golden light gradually formed into a human shape at her feet. When the light dissipated, she saw that it was a naked male infant. She was stunned. The infant climbed onto her skirt, gripping it tightly with chubby, lotus-like arms, his eyes shut tight.

    Bai Yun was bewildered by the scene. She looked around but saw no one else in the consciousness realm.

    She had heard from her sect elders that a cultivator in the Nascent Soul stage would have a Nascent Soul within them. But it was an essential part of their being, simr to a Golden Core, and wouldn''t appear like this. Even if it did, it would resemble the cultivator''s true form, not an infant.

    As she pondered, a deep male voice echoed from all directions in the void.

    "Pick me up."

    "...?" Bai Yun looked around again but still saw no one. She didn''t know where the voice came from.

    Her skirt was tugged again. She looked down¡ªwas she supposed to pick up this child?

    "Don''t dawdle!" the voice urged.

    Her skirt was tugged once more. Bai Yun, looking at the infant gripping her skirt, said nothing. Slowly, she bent down and picked up the child.

    Both were spiritual bodies, so the child was weightless. He slightly tilted his face towards her, his features delicate and beautiful, his eyes tightly shut. She wondered how dazzling they would be when opened.

    At such a close distance, she could see his long eyshes tremble slightly, and an inexplicable sense of foreboding arose within her.

    Sure enough, the child slowly opened his eyes.

    His gaze was dazzling, full of brilliance.

    One gold, one ck¡ªheterochromatic eyes?

    Bai Yun felt a sudden sense of suffocation. No, they weren''t heterochromatic. His ck eye was normal, but the golden eye¡ªits pupil wasn''t normal. A crimson spider lurked in the gold, its eight legs spread out, its back covered in intricate runes, bizarre and seemingly capable of devouring souls.

    Fear crept in. Her hands involuntarily loosened, but the infant clung tightly to her neck.

    "Since you''ve trespassed into my forbidden ground, do something for me," the voice echoed in the void again. "Once the task is done, I will grant you rebirth."

    "What task?" she asked.

    He didn''t answer. A blinding golden light shot from his golden eye directly into hers. She cried out and closed her eyes. When she opened them again, the scene had changed to the stone cave. Continuous sounds of crashing came from outside. She tried to move but found her limbs unresponsive.

    Looking down, Bai Yun was shocked.

    She had be the man bound in the golden web.

 Vol. 1 - Chapter 3 - Turning Danger into Safety

    After drifting as a primordial spirit for three days, Bai Yun finally felt solid ground beneath her, but the situation didn¡¯t allow for much reflection. Red lights shed frequently outside the cave, striking the external barrier which caused the ground to tremble. Scorching heat surged in, like an invisible wildfire inching closer. She could tell the barrier was on the verge of copsing.

    "Go! Show your skill and hold him off for me!"

    Suddenly, another voice echoed in her mind, the same voice she heard in the consciousness void. Bai Yun recalled the infant clinging to her neck and formed a n. This person¡¯s primordial spirit seemed to be in a weakened state, unable to control the body, hence hiding here in seclusion. The person outside must be his enemy and somehow found this ce.

    Boom¡ª

    Scorching airflow, mixed with gravel, rolled into the cave. The gravel streaked past her, cutting the skin of this body in several ces, sending sharp, burning pain through her. Bai Yun had no time to think further. She and the owner of this body were now in the same boat, and she had to give her all to deal with the immediate threat before considering anything else.

    She moved her limbs, and the webs binding her snapped automatically. She fell from the web¡ªthis body was tall, strong and full of power. She couldn¡¯t see his face but felt the strong spiritual energy flowing through his meridians. In merely a moment, she judged that this body¡¯s cultivation was many times higher than her original form.

    She looked at her hand; the fingers were distinct. White and slender, without any calluses. When she clenched her fist, green veins surfaced. She formed a hand seal, gathering spiritual energy in her palm. The energy condensed rapidly, visible to the naked eye, filling her with both amazement and joy.

    The realm of a powerful cultivator was truly astonishing.

    She wondered if she could ever reach such a realm in her lifetime. The new sensation filled her heart, unexpectedly stirring a surge of excitement.

    Outside, thunder rumbled, and the booming sounds continued. With a sh of red light, the precarious barrier finally shatteredpletely. A red figure flew to the cave entrance,ughing loudly.

    "Let¡¯s see where you can hide now! Prepare to die!" With this shout, the red light turned into five red snakes, slithering into the cave.

    The voice of the body¡¯s owner didn¡¯t resound in her mind again. Bai Yun wiped a blood trail from her face, leapt into the air, and used the gathered spiritual energy to form her sect''s Thunder Light Seal,unching it with sixty percent power. The blue seal collided with the enemy¡¯s attack a few meters in front of her, blue and red lights shing and dazzling her eyes. She vaguely heard a surprised "huh" from outside, indicating the enemy¡¯s shock.

    The Thunder Light Seal was a foundational technique of the Wu Xiang Sword Sect. Despite being a basic skill, it was part of their orthodox teachings. Given the exceptional cultivation of this body, the technique¡¯s power was formidable. The first exchange ended evenly matched.

    "You dare to attack while I¡¯m in seclusion? You must be tired of living! You¡¯re the one who should die!" she said, squinting her eyes, emting the arrogance of high-level cultivators. Without giving the enemy a chance to react, she formed another Thunder Light Seal andunched it.

    Being called a "rat," the enemy snorted coldly, forming a red lightning strike with his hand seals to counter. The blue and red lights shed again, but this time, the red light surged, swallowing the blue light and rushing towards Bai Yun. Shocked, she leapt to the side just in time, but her robe was singed.

    "Hahaha!" The enemyughed triumphantly, continuing his attack.

    Bai Yun was forced to dodge continuously within the cave. The difference in their realms wasn¡¯t something that could be bridged by power alone.

    "Heh." A faintugh echoed in her mind, the source unclear.

    "And you¡¯reughing?!" Bai Yun, angry, disregarded decorum and shouted.

    "He¡¯s just probing the cave. Think of a way to lure him inside and use the artifact!" The voice remained calm.

    With his words, an object floated before Bai Yun.

    ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª

    A three-foot-tall, six-sided bell tower emitted frigid air, with ghostly blue mes burning inside. Though the mes gave off no heat, they exuded a bone-chilling cold.

    "This¡­?" Bai Yun frowned and blurted out, "The Netherworld Ice me!?"

    The Netherworld Ice me was a ghostly item from the thirty-sixthyer of the underworld. She had read about it in the "Wan Hua Record of Strange Items" at Wan Ren Mountain. This fire could burn both form and spirit, fearing neither wind, thunder or water, ranking among the top ten ghost treasures of Wan Hua.

    "You¡¯re well-versed for someone so young," the man said indifferently. "This cave is already set with the tower formation. The item in your hand is the formation¡¯s core. Once he steps inside, he¡¯ll be trapped."

    Bai Yun looked at the restless mes in the tower, hesitating. This fire could burn both form and spirit. She had no personal vendetta against the man outside. Could she really kill him? But she had no time to ponder further. A red lightning strike hit her shoulder, causing searing pain.

    The body¡¯s original owner sneered, "Soft-hearted? A woman¡¯s benevolence. He was the one who tried to kill us first. We¡¯re just defending ourselves. What are you hesitating for? Typical of those pedantic disciples from Wan Ren Mountain."

    He not only saw through her thoughts but also recognized her origin.

    Bai Yun was startled, but another attack came, leaving her no time to think. Instinctively, she activated the six-sided bell tower, saying, "Hiding in the dark and running your mouth isn¡¯t skill. Show yourself if you have the guts instead of being a coward!"

    The clear male voice echoed confidently, provoking the enemy outside. "Now the one hiding is you! Come out and face me!"

    "Yes, I¡¯m hiding. Come in if you¡¯re so brave!" Bai Yun dodged the attacks, racking her brain for insults. Unfortunately, raised in a prestigious sect, she knew few curses and ended up repeating the same ones. "I¡¯m a coward, and you¡¯re a rat. We¡¯re a pair! You can keep yelling outside, but I won¡¯te out to see you, big rat. Yell all you want. It won¡¯t matter!"

    The body''s original owner was speechless in the consciousness void. Her words not only insulted his enemy but indirectly called him a coward, using his own body.

    "Spit! Who¡¯s a pair with you, coward?" The enemy outside was so furious he paused, thinking his cunning opponent, usually ruthless, wouldn¡¯t just hide in the cave unless severely injured and stalling. Deciding, he conjured countless red lightning strikes,unching a massive attack.

    Over a hundred red lightning strikes filled the cave like an inferno. The cave was saturated with red light, apanied by crashing rocks. A muffled groan indicated that the person inside was injured. The enemy was overjoyed and rushed in, only to be met with a ghostly cold, and the cave transformed into the six-sided tower with rising ghostly mes. Terrified, he saw the man in the green robe holding the tower, breathing heavily.

    He had fallen into a trap.

    He realized this toote. He was struggling like a trapped beast, unable to move. The ghostly mes approached, causing his primordial spirit to tremble. Furious, he shouted, "I¡¯ll grind your bones to dust!" He summoned a nine-petal celestial lotus and, with a look of reluctance, jumped into it. The lotus bud closed and shot towards Bai Yun.

    "Celestial Lotus? Retreat!" The man¡¯s rmed voice echoed in Bai Yun¡¯s mind.

    The celestial lotus, imbued with divine energy, was no ordinary treasure. Bai Yun abandoned the bell tower formation and fled outside. The lotus bud was incinerated by the ghostly mes at the cave entrance, but it allowed the enemy to escape. Losing his life-saving treasure infuriated him, and he formed deadly ws, lunging at Bai Yun.

    With no more instructions from the man, Bai Yun had to face the ws herself. She turned resolutely, formed hand seals, and summoned thunder. Lightning bolts snaked across the dark sky, stopping the red-d cultivator in his tracks. "This is¡­"

    Bai Yun remained silent, focusing all her spiritual energy into the sky. Thunder roared and thousands of swords appeared behind her, merging into a giant sword with her seal, exuding immense pressure.

    "Wu Xiang Sword Technique?" The enemy recognized it immediately.

    Bai Yun felt the overwhelming power of the Wu Xiang Sword Technique. Memories of her two hundred years at Wan Ren Mountain flooded her mind, ending in silence. This was the sixth level of the Wu Xiang Sword Technique, the Unity of Ten Thousand Swords. With her cultivation, she could only perform up to the third level. Even her master, Ancestor Xie Lengyue, could only reach the seventh level.

    But this might be herst time using the Wu Xiang Sword Technique.

    It was toote. Her primordial spirit was dissipating. Experiencing the full power of the Wu Xiang Sword Technique, even with another¡¯s body, brought her peace.

    The giant sword cleaved through the sky, targeting the red-d cultivator. Despite his high cultivation, he couldn¡¯t escape in time and had to endure the attack.

    Red light exploded in mid-air as the giant sword struck, its destructive force shattering the rock forest into rubble.

    It took a long time for the terrifying explosion to subside.

    The sky had darkened, stars filling it.

    Exhausted, Bai Yun¡¯s primordial spirit could no longer sustain itself. She vaguely saw the red-d cultivator emerge from the rubble, approaching step by step. She was powerless.

    Her vision blurred, and she reverted to her spiritual form, falling back into the owner¡¯s consciousness void, an endless expanse. She didn¡¯t know where she wouldnd.

    Lost in thought, her falling suddenly stopped.

    Someone caught her by the waist.

    She hung lightly in the crook of his arm, half-leaning against his chest. The infant was gone; the true form of the consciousness void''s owner appeared. She could only see his blue and white robes and a sharp jawline.

    "He¡­" Bai Yun pointed to the void.

    The void projected the outside scene; the red-d cultivator was gathering spiritual energy for another attack.

    The man snorted softly, dismissively flicking his sleeve. Bai Yun watched as the red-d cultivator was hurled away by a powerful wind. Coughing up blood, the cultivator looked at the man in horror, then turned and fled, no longer willing to fight.

    "Has your primordial spirit been out for three days?" The man looked down slightly at her now semi-transparent form, his voice deep and resonant like a morning harp in Wan Ren Mountain.

    Bai Yun still couldn¡¯t see his face, the light fading from her vision. She couldn¡¯t respond.

    This was a sign of her primordial spirit''s destruction.

    The man pondered for a moment, saying, "You¡¯re lucky it was me. If it was anyone else and your little soul would be gone."

    His tone was arrogant and self-assured.

    He lifted her chin and said, "You dared to call me a coward? You¡¯re quite bold."

    Bai Yun, dazed, could only let him handle her. Fortunately, he seemed uninterested in further punishment. He picked out a star from his forehead, pressing it into her brow. Warmth enveloped her cold primordial spirit, and she trembled, noticing her form bing solid again.

    "Who are you?" Bai Yun asked, touching her brow. Only a few in Wan Hua could lock spiritual energy.

    "No need to know my name. We met by chance. You helped me escape danger, and I promised you rebirth. It¡¯s just a deal. Once it¡¯s done, we¡¯re even." His tone was sharp, with no politeness.

    Bai Yun frowned, struggling to lift her head to see his face, but he coldly said, "Leave now."

    The void shifted, and she was expelled from his consciousness. Before leaving, she only saw a pair of narrow phoenix eyes, one gold and one ck, shing with different colors.

    ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª

    Bai Yun¡¯s primordial spirit turned into a green light, flying out from his forehead. Before she could go far, he pinched her back.

    He yed with the green light in his hand, then turned her into a green ring, firmly cing it on his right little finger.

    Dizzy from his constant teasing, Bai Yun was about to speak when he said with a smile, "Serves you right for calling me a coward!"

    He was a petty person who held grudges. Bai Yun was furious.

 Vol. 1 - Chapter 4 - Rebirth

    Following the man through mountains for several days, Bai Yun had no choice but to temporarily remain as apliant tail ring. The man spoke very little, wandering the mountains daily without interacting with her. Her primordial spirit had passed the point of dispersal, held together only by the trace of soul energy he bound her with. Though barely intact, she spent more time unconscious than awake.

    When she finally awoke one day, she heard an enchanting melody, reminiscent of warblers and swallows, full of twists and turns that tugged at her heartstrings. She wondered where they had arrived.

    "Your tail ring is quite unique, Immortal. What kind of treasure is it? May I learn more about it?"

    In a hazy vision, she saw a heavily made-up woman approaching with a cup. He epted it with his left hand, waved dismissively with his right, and drained the drink before speaking slowly, "You like it? How about I give it to you?"

    The charming female cultivator looked delighted, just about to thank him when he continued, "This ring contains the soul of a three-headed boar demon from the base of Bu Ning Mountain in South River. I defeated it in the north of Bu Ning Mountain, but the beast was so ferocious it wouldn¡¯t submit, so I turned its soul into this ring to refine it day and night. If you like it, I¡¯ll give it to you. But be careful, if your cultivation isn¡¯t strong enough to control it, it will invade your dreams and devour your primordial spirit."

    Saying so, he went to take it off.

    "No, no, since it''s the Immortal''s trophy, I dare not ept it." The female cultivator quickly refused, moving away from his right hand as if it were a gue.

    "Hiss..." He suddenly frowned.

    "What happened Immortal?" The female cultivator asked with concern.

    He smiled again, "Just mentioning the boar demon, it seems displeased and bit me. It''s nothing."

    She looked down at his right hand and indeed saw the ring glowing, tightening around his finger.

    "Truly a ferocious demon!" She remarked with a mixture of awe and fear.

    Bai Yun was fuming¡ªboar demon? Was he calling her a pig demon? And a three-headed one at that?

    Unable to bear it any longer, she tightened her hold on his finger, squeezing it hard.

    He merely chuckled softly, saying nothing more, letting her do as she wished, while turning back to the female cultivator, "Did you find anything on the matter I asked you to investigate?"

    "Immortal, the Mountain Lord has sent orders to all seven mountain gates in Tiyu Prefecture to search for a suitable body for you. However..." The female cultivator shook her head in disappointment, "I hope Immortal will forgive us."

    "It''s not your fault." The man waved his hand, his gaze lingering on the glowing green ring on his finger, frowning slightly.

    Finding a body was easy, but finding one suitable for housing a soul was difficult. Apart from the spirit seizing method, to find a body that could host a primordial spirit, it had to be a corpse where the soul had dispersed but the body remained intact. Normally, a cultivator''s body would quickly decay after the soul left, making it unusable. Only at the moment of death could the soul enter and settle. Recently, there were no dying cultivators in Tiyu Prefecture. He had even spread the word that any corpse, regardless of age or gender, would suffice. But still found none.

    If this dragged on, even with his soul-binding, she wouldn''t escape the fate of her soul dispersing.

    Thinking of this, he rose from his seat.

    "Immortal is leaving?" The female cultivator stood up hastily.

    "Have your Mountain Lord continue the search and notify me with this talisman if there''s any news." He flicked a folded triangle talisman into her hands and flew off without another word.

    ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª

    Bai Yun''s senses grew duller, and her periods of unconsciousness grew longer. Yet, she knew that the man had been tirelessly searching the mountains for over ten days.

    When she woke up again, it waste at night, with stars filling the sky. He sat cross-legged at the mountain peak, his eyes piercing through the night, his consciousness spread out, taking in everything within a hundred miles. Though motionless, he was fully aware of his surroundings.

    The soul-binding that held her primordial spirit began to vibrate slightly. Her spirit started to slip away, and Bai Yun knew her time was running out.

    "Fate is such. Human efforts can''t change it. My end is near Immortal. There''s no need to exhaust yourself for my sake. These days, you''ve protected me, and though I can''t be reborn as a cultivator, I''ll always be grateful for your kindness."

    Seeing the end near, Bai Yun didn''t want to waste his spiritual energy any further.

    He remained silent, like a statue.

    Bai Yun had epted her fate but had an unfulfilled wish. "Immortal, you don''t wish to share your name, and I won''t force you. Please forgive my boldness. My name is Bai Yun, a disciple of Wu Xiang Sword Sect at Wan Ren Mountain, seventh disciple of Ancestor Xie Lengyue."

    "You¡¯re Old Xie''s disciple?" He finally showed some reaction. "No wonder you know the Wu Xiang Sword Technique."

    "Do you know my master?"

    "Not well, just met him twice when he sought me at Bu Ning Mountain." He said casually.

    Bai Yun was surprised¡ªher master was a highly esteemed cultivator in Wan Hua, and any cultivator he sought must be extraordinary.

    "Bu Ning Mountain... Are you an expert from the Tai Chu Sect?" Bai Yun spected. Tai Chu, like Wu Xiang, was one of the five great sects of Wan Hua, based in Bu Ning Mountain of South River. Though the sect had declined, it was still a renowned sect, and having powerful cultivators in hiding wouldn¡¯t be surprising.

    "What exactly do you want?" He cut her off coldly.

    "I want to ask a favor, Immortal." Bai Yun abandoned her spections. "I was betrayed by a junior sister who seized my body. Though my original body still exists, its soul has changed. I''d like you to inform my sect leader and master so they aren''t deceived."

    This way, her senior brother wouldn''t be misled either, and everything would be clear and clean.

    "Such mundane matters, I won''t interfere. But a promise is a promise; I always keep my word." He said, leaping into the night, merging with the darkness.

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    Mountain winds brushed his robes as he flew swiftly, the scenery changing in an instant. Hended in a valley.

    At dawn, the valley was bathed in the first light of the rising sun. The sunrise split the sky into red and gold hues, resembling a phoenix spreading its wings, a breathtaking sight. Some sunlight fell on Bai Yun''s primordial spirit, but she felt no warmth, only a stinging pain. Her time was running out as the green ring on his finger dimmed.

    He descended onto a muddy mountain path where a figurey, face covered in dirt. The thin dress and long ck hair were soaked with dew, covered in fallen leaves, indicating the person had been unconscious for some time.

    He knelt beside her, checking her with his fingers, frowning. "A Yin cultivator?" After a moment''s hesitation, he muttered, "I guess you¡¯re lucky. Whoever practiced Yin cultivation here emptied this body¡¯s original soul, leaving just a shell. Perfect for you."

    Bai Yun could no longer hear the outside world. Her primordial spirit was about to dissipate, unable to hold her three souls and seven spirits together. Without further dy, he released the soul-binding from his finger and sent the green light into the body''s forehead.

    Standing with arms crossed, he watched her spirit merge with the body. Suddenly, sensing an anomaly in the surrounding woods, he turned and smirked. "It''s still not giving up? Fine, I¡¯ll help you onest time." He leaped out, traveling dozens of miles in a blink, confronting the Soul-Chasing Beast at the edge of the valley.

    The Soul-Chasing Beast dared not approach him but had been trailing them from afar. It realized Bai Yun''s spirit had entered a living body, transforming into a living soul, no longer a target for the Yin Beast. As it hesitated, he had already noticed. From his high vantage, he saw the beast on the ground, trembling and making whimpering sounds, eyes darting, seeking an escape.

    "Trying to flee?" He sneered, striking with his palm.

    Overwhelming pressure descended, smashing the beast into the cliff, its innards pulverized, leaving it lifeless.

    Returning to Bai Yun, he found her spirit hadn''t merged with the body and had started to scatter, likely losing cohesion after the soul-binding was removed.

    In the early morning forest, her dispersed souls glowed like fireflies.

    "Troublesome." He muttered, gathering her scattered souls.

    Each time he caught a soul or spirit, he flicked it into the body''s forehead. After collecting thest of the glowing lights, he noticed one soul was still missing. Sighing, he extended his consciousness, finding the missing soul a few miles away.

    He chased it, but the elusive soul kept fleeing, causing him to exert considerable effort to capture it. Returning to the valley, he found the body had disappeared.

    The morning light was calm, the soul in his hand pure and translucent.

    Humans have three souls: the fetal light, the bright spirit, and the hidden essence. The fetal light governs life, the bright spirit governs intellect, and the hidden essence...

    "So it''s the hidden essence. Without it, one loses emotions, love, and the joys of life..." He mused.

    The hidden essence governs emotions.

    As he pondered, he held the soul up, allowing it to see his true face.

    "Hehe, Immortal, you¡¯re really handsome..." The soul, now childlike and simple, circled his finger, refusing to leave.

    "Don¡¯t you want to return?" He asked.

    "No. She¡¯s too boring. I want to stay with you." The soul¡¯s yful voice was a stark contrast to its previous calm.

    He was about to speak, he noticed hismunication stone shing urgently. He looked down at the soul, silent.

    Finding her a body and reviving her concluded their brief encounter. As for the missing hidden essence... He pondered briefly, then disappeared into the lush valley, leaving no trace.

    There was no ce for regrets.

 Vol. 1 - Chapter 5 - Chi Xiu

    The Shuangxia Valley of Tiyu Prefecture in Wan Hua is a ce with a beautiful name but has barrennd. In Shuangxia Valley, there is the Chi Xiu Pce. Which upies the mountain with the richest spiritual energy in Shuangxia. The amount of spiritual energy here isn¡¯t even enough for high-level immortals to have as a snack, but for low-level cultivators who drift outside the Three Mountains, Two Seas, and Five Great Celestial Sects, it is enough to make them fight for a spot.

    Many, many years ago, the owner of this ce was a proper cultivator. Later, he picked up a female cultivator from somewhere, and after they engaged in some intimate rtions, the proper cultivator experienced the joy between men and women and became less proper. Thus, he built this Chi Xiu Pce with the female cultivator.

    Later, the improper male cultivator reached a bottleneck in his cultivation, couldn¡¯t advance, and died when his lifespan ended. Chi Xiu Pce was then taken over by that female cultivator, bing a minor part of the vast sea of sects in the Wan Hua cultivation world¡ªMei Sect.

    Cultivation sects also have their ranks, and Mei Sect is among the lower ones. Therefore, Chi Xiu Pce is not well-regarded, and its cultivators are even less so. However, the pce master, Madame Ying Shuang, has a high ambition and works hard to lead her disciples into the higher echelons of the celestial world.

    Who is Madame Ying Shuang?

    She¡¯s the female cultivator who tricked the proper male cultivator into improper rtions, and the current owner of Chi Xiu Pce.

    ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª

    After finishing the story of Chi Xiu Pce, Jiao Tao was parched and poked the forehead of the person opposite her with a forceful orchid finger.

    "I said, do you remember or not?"

    Sitting opposite her was a young girl, looking about thirteen or fourteen. However, the appearance of cultivators is often as they wish, some mature, some youthful, some beautiful, some innocent, so age is indiscernible.

    The young girl wore a snow-white cross-cor dress, with a small red plum undergarment inside, her waist barely held together. If she had a fuller figure, the undergarment would bulge out with white waves and a deep cleavage. Unfortunately, the girl was skinny, and the undergarmenty t against her chest.

    "No," the girl rubbed her eyes, looking like she hadn¡¯t slept enough.

    Seeing her like this made Jiao Tao angry. She pped the girl¡¯s head and said, "Everyone says you¡¯re a fool, and you really are one! Cultivating for more than ten years without making any progress, getting beaten so badly you forgot even your ancestors. We don¡¯t even know who to seek revenge on."

    The girl¡¯s face remained nk, indifferent. This annoyed Jiao Tao even more. She pulled a porcin bottle from her storage bag and threw it at her, "Take it, take it. I must owe you from a past life. Use this to heal yourself. Those memories can stay lost. Soon there¡¯ll be the Dual Cultivation selection. Looking like this, who would want to dual cultivate with you? With no progress in cultivation, in a few years, your body will age and be frail. You¡¯ll die in the woods."

    "Thank you, Senior Sister Jiao Tao." The girl epted the porcin bottle with a bow, her head hanging.

    After nagging a bit more, Jiao Tao instructed her to take the medicine and heal, then swayed her hips and left, the fragrance lingering in the small stone cave.

    ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª

    The cave quieted down. The girl opened the wax-sealed porcin bottle, pouring out a dark green pill the size of a longan seed. A faint medicinal fragrance filled the air. It was Qinghua Pill, a low-grade healing medicine, not something great. But from Jiao Tao¡¯s pained expression, it seemed valuable. Shuangxia Valley must be very poor, and so was Chi Xiu Pce.

    The medicine wasn¡¯t great, but she had no other choice.

    Swallowing the pill, a cool sweetness spread in her mouth, easing the pain in her chest. Sitting cross-legged, she tried to circte her energy to heal, but every attempt found her dantian empty. Jiao Tao said she had been cultivating for over ten years, but her meridians were filled only with chaotic, murky energy, no spiritual energy at all.

    This body¡¯s aptitude was worse than she anticipated¡ªmortal flesh, ordinary bones, blocked meridians, and almost no spiritual energy, like a dull stone. The original owner likely had poorprehension, seemingly giving up on cultivation, neglecting even the basic Qi Refinement and body strengthening, resulting in a weak constitution. After over ten years, she was still at the third level of Qi Refinement.

    With this body, cultivation seemed almost impossible. Forget seeking revenge on Baili Qing, even reaching Wan Ren Mountain was unlikely. Moreover, without sufficient cultivation, the mortal body would age and die naturally, and even with some spiritual medicine, it would only dy the inevitable. Given her current frailty, her lifespan wouldn¡¯t be long.

    Reaching her previous level of cultivation seemed like an impossible dream.

    ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª

    Thinking of the past, she felt a bit lost.

    Finding this body in the valley, just as her spirit was about to copse, he sent her into it. It had been half a month since then. Her primordial spirit reformed, but she remained unconscious until three days ago. When she woke, she was already in Chi Xiu Pce, and he was nowhere to be found. He had fulfilled his promise and left without even giving her his name.

    Indeed, she didn¡¯t even know what he looked like, only remembering those long, narrow phoenix eyes, unforgettable.

    She took a deep breath, filling her lungs, then slowly exhaled, clearing her mind.

    As he said, they met by chance. She helped him repel an enemy, and he helped her revive. Their paths crossed and then parted. Now, she needed to focus on herself.

    Calcting the time, it had been over thirty days since Baili Qing took her body. Baili Qing likely returned to Wan Ren Mountain, gaining the sect¡¯s trust under her name, while she, though not destroyed, ended up as a low-level cultivator in Mei Sect.

    In just over thirty days, her life had turned upside down.

    ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª

    For the past three days since waking up, she hadn¡¯t left the cave, using the excuse of healing to hide and let her spirit integrate with the body. During this time, people visited her. Although the original owner had low cultivation, she seemed well-liked. The most frequent visitor was Jiao Tao. Through their conversations, she learned a lot.

    The original owner of this body was named Ji Yaoge, a human orphan taken in by Madame Ying Shuang of Chi Xiu Pce, raised under her care.

    As for Chi Xiu Pce, she had never heard of it before.

    Wan Hua has many low-level cultivators and countless sects, with many minor and obscure ones like this. Moreover, Chi Xiu Pce was a Mei Sect, specializing in seduction. As a disciple of a prestigious sect for over two hundred years, she had never encountered such a low-ranked sect.

    Now, she found herself as a low-level cultivator in Mei Sect.

    ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª

    There was arge stone mirror polished on the cave wall, reflecting her current appearance.

    She raised her eyebrows, and the unfamiliar face in the mirror mimicked her; she blinked, and the face blinked too¡ªyouthful features, delicate bones, a slender frame, making her look like a child who never grew up.

    No wonder Jiao Tao sighed every time she saw her. With such a face and figure, how did she survive in a ce like Mei Sect?

    This face was delicate but not beautiful; not ugly, but not that attractive either. Among the many female cultivators in the immortal world who had mastered the art of maintaining their appearance, she was average at best. She couldn¡¯t evenpete with Bai Yun, nor even with ordinary female cultivators.

    The only striking feature was herrge eyes, pure and clear, reflecting everything like a mirror, with a captivating cleanliness. But on her small, thin face, they seemed oversized, giving her a somewhat eerie, soul-piercing gaze. Looking at her unfamiliar face in the mirror and the strange eyes, she felt a random thump in her heart.

    These eyes were unsettling, even to herself.

    So be it. A new body would take time to get used to.

    In the past, she focused on cultivation and cared little for her appearance. The praise she received for her beauty meant nothing to her, so she wasn¡¯t troubled by her current average looks.

    What troubled her was something else.

    She wasn¡¯t sure if she had lost weight recently, but as she moved around the mirror, her loose cor slipped down her arm, exposing her corbone. The ill-fitting red plum undergarment also slipped, revealing her barely-there chest. She looked down, seeing her meager figure¡ªfar from seductive, more like a child ying dress-up.

    She couldn¡¯t leave the cave dressed like this. Quickly, she removed her outer garment, tightened the undergarment, and was about to find a new set of clothes when the cave door suddenly blew open.

    ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª

    "Senior Sister Ji¡­"

    A cool breeze carrying a hint of a sandalwood fragrance swept in, wrapping around with a gentle call. The intruder¡¯s cultivation was far higher than hers and she couldn¡¯t react in time. The person moved behind her, their cold hands snaking around her slender waist.

    In an instant, she was pulled into an embrace.

    Before seeing him, she heard his soft voice in her ear, "Senior Sister, Bai Yan iste." He picked up a y teapot from the table, took a sip, and then turned his head, pressing his wet lips to hers.

    Bai Yun¡ªno, now she should be called Ji Yaoge¡ªfinally saw his face.

    A face full of roguish charm, his eyebrows like a sky-blue stream, his eyes shimmering like clouds, half-closed and half-open with a seductive glint, his pouty lips naturally alluring¡ªthis was a man, a very beautiful man.

    Ji Yaoge turned her head away, twisting her waist to slip out of his not-so-strong embrace. She sat on the table, raising one leg to ce her bare foot against his chest, stopping him from approaching.

    Though her cultivation was no longer there, her years of sword training and agility weren¡¯t for nothing. The man in front of her, though higher in cultivation, was still only at the Qi Refinement stage and unprepared. Avoiding him wasn¡¯t difficult.

    The man¡¯s eyes showed a flicker of surprise, quickly reced by a smile. Seeing her resistance, he swallowed the water and said, "What¡¯s wrong, Senior Sister Ji?" He raised his hand slowly, grabbing her foot.

    Ji Yaoge noticed he was wearing a wide-sleeved robe, open at the chest, revealing his muscr torso. Her foot was pressing directly on his bare chest.

 Vol. 1 - Chapter 6 - Bai Yan

    Looking at the man in front of her, exuding a wicked aura, Ji Yaoge lifted her foot and kicked him square in the chest. He raised an eyebrow in slight surprise and leaned back, taking half a step back but not letting go as she had hoped. Instead, he grabbed her ankle and lifted it to his shoulder. Ji Yaoge fell from the table, her other foot touching the ground, her legs almost forming a split. Ignoring her disheveled clothes, she bent her waist backward, hands supporting herself on the table, and flipped over.

    Her skirt fluttered like mist past the man¡¯s face, leaving him momentarily stunned. Ji Yaogended behind the table, her hands turning into palms, attacking him.

    "Just a few days have passed and my Senior Sister''s skills have improved. Truly impressive!" he said with a long, melodious voice that could make one''s heart itch.

    Though he spoke, his moves were notx, sidestepping her palm strike, engaging her in the small cave. Ji Yaoge, trained in orthodox ways, had never missed a day of physical training during her Qi Refinement stage. Even though her cultivation had faded, her agility and fierce moves were far beyond ordinary low-level cultivators. After exchanging dozens of moves, she feigned an attack, moving behind him, one hand gripping his pulse point, the other unhesitatingly locking around his throat.

    "Who are you, and why did you intrude into my cave?" she demanded coldly.

    The man¡¯s brows furrowed slightly, a gleam shing in his eyes. "I heard you were attacked and lost your memory. I didn¡¯t believe it, but now you don¡¯t even recognize me... I am your junior, Bai Yan..." As he spoke, a green light shed from his fingertips, striking her wrist.

    Ji Yaoge winced, releasing her grip. Before she could evade, his cold hand was already around her waist. He spun her around, pulling her into his arms, looking closely at her. Initially toying with her, he hadn¡¯t expected her moves to be so fierce, forcing him to use spiritual power and techniques to subdue her.

    "Let go!" Ji Yaoge was beyond embarrassed. Wearing only a small undergarment, being held like this was akin to skin-to-skin contact. His cold fingers traced up her spine, like a snake¡¯s tongue, raising goosebumps all over her.

    She wanted to kill him.

    For two hundred years on Wan Ren Mountain, her senior brothers had been gentlemen, treating her respectfully even if they admired her. The most intimacy was holding hands or patting her head. Never had she experienced such an encounter.

    Perhaps her fierce gaze made Bai Yan pause in confusion. "Senior Sister, you lost your memory, but why do you seem like a different person?" Though she had always been indifferent to his teasing, she never resisted like today.

    After all, they were in the Mei Sect, and such things weremon. What was she insisting on?

    "Maybe this is who I¡¯ve always been, and you just never knew," Ji Yaoge said, unwilling to exin. The amnesia was her excuse; otherwise, she couldn¡¯t exin why she didn¡¯t recognize the sect.

    "Oh... Are you suggesting Bai Yan should get to know you better?" Bai Yan nodded innocently and sincerely. "Bai Yan understands, I will get to know you deeply."

    "...," Ji Yaoge was speechless, then shouted, "Let go!"

    The cave door opened again, and a pretty figure stormed in.

    "Yaoge, I forgot to remind you earlier. While you were unconscious, no one was managing the Cangling Pavilion..." Jiao Tao''s words trailed off as she saw the two entwined. After a fight, Bai Yan¡¯s robe was even more open, and Ji Yaoge was only in an undergarment, her bare back pressed against him. It was easy to misunderstand.

    Ji Yaoge forcefully pushed Bai Yan away, grabbed her fallen outer garment, and quickly put it on. "Senior Sister Jiao Tao, what is it?"

    "I¡¯lle backter..." Jiao Tao began but was interrupted.

    "No, tell me now."

    "While you were unconscious, no one managed the Cangling Pavilion. The disciples¡¯ contributions couldn¡¯t be recorded, so their monthly allowances couldn¡¯t be distributed, and they¡¯re allining. Madame Ying Shuang will return in two days, so you should sort it out before shees back," Jiao Tao said quickly.

    "Cangling Pavilion... what is it?"

    Hearing her question, Jiao Tao and Bai Yan exchanged nces. "You forgot that too?" Jiao Tao sighed, "You were already slow, now you¡¯re hopeless."

    "Senior Sister Jiao Tao, why not let me take Senior Sister to the Cangling Pavilion and show her around? Maybe it will jog her memory," Bai Yan suggested politely.

    "Don¡¯t think I don¡¯t know what you¡¯re up to, Bai Yan. Even if she¡¯s lost her memory, she¡¯s not someone you can toy with. Get rid of your bad intentions," Jiao Tao warned.

    "You misunderstand me, Senior Sister Jiao Tao..." Bai Yan began.

    Ji Yaoge, impatient, interrupted, "Tell me where the Cangling Pavilion is, and I¡¯ll go myself."

    Jiao Tao reluctantly agreed, "Fine, let Bai Yan take you. I¡¯m busy now." She pulled Ji Yaoge aside, whispering, "He¡¯s a sly fox. Don¡¯t let him trick you. Even if you choose him, get Madame¡¯s approval first."

    "Choose him for what?" Ji Yaoge asked, confused.

    "To dual cultivate!" Jiao Tao spat, exasperated.

    "...," Are all Mei Sect disciples this direct? Ji Yaoge was about to deny it, but Jiao Tao was already at the door.

    "I have things to do. Bai Yan, take her to the Cangling Pavilion."

    With that, Jiao Tao disappeared.

    "Let¡¯s go, Senior Sister," Bai Yan said, holding the door open.

    Ji Yaoge signaled for him to lead the way. As he stepped out, she kicked him in the rear, sending him tumbling outside. When he turned around, the door shut in his face, nearly hitting his nose.

    "Wait outside! Intrude again and I¡¯ll cut off your hand," Ji Yaoge¡¯s voice came through the door.

    Bai Yan chuckled, rubbing his chin. When the door reopened, Ji Yaoge had changed into a diagonal-cor dress, tightly buttoned, leaving no trace of skin.

    ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª

    Wearing clothes that shed with Mei Sect¡¯s style, Ji Yaoge attracted many nces as she walked through Chi Xiu Pce but she ignored them, walking with a straight back. Bai Yan exined the pce¡¯s details, his spective gaze asionally sweeping over her.

    It was Ji Yaoge''s first time seeing Chi Xiu Pce. It upied thergest mountain in Shuangxia Valley, with clear springs, vines, and flowers, the scenery serene and unique. The cave residences were meticulously built, exuding a wild yet celestial charm. However, to Ji Yaoge, they seemed overly crafted,cking the natural grandeur she was used to. But the men and women she passed caught her attention.

    They were all disciples of Chi Xiu Pce, each one attractive. If looks could be a sect¡¯s strength, Chi Xiu Pce surpassed Wan Ren Mountain in this regard. But what intrigued Ji Yaoge was not their appearance, but their brazen behavior.

    "This is the Cangling Pavilion, one of our sect''s important ces, divided into an outer and inner pavilion. The outer pavilion stores ordinary resources, while the inner pavilion holds valuable treasures. Senior Sister is the only one responsible for the Cangling Pavilion, appointed by Madame Ying Shuang," Bai Yan exined, stopping before a three-story stone pavilion, pointing to the characters ¡®Cangling¡¯ carved on the stone wall.

    "Every month, disciples contribute materials like herbs, ores, pelts, and beast cores. These are stored in the outer pavilion, recorded by you, and their monthly spirit jade allowances are based on these records. Since you were sick for half a month, no one managed the outer pavilion, so they couldn¡¯t get their allowances, hence theirints."

    Bai Yan, though usually frivolous, exined everything in detail.

    Cultivators don¡¯t value mundane wealth; spirit jade is the currency of the Wan Hua cultivation world, made from ten-thousand-year-old jade, capable of storing spiritual energy, divided into three grades. Besides being used as currency, it can aid in cultivation, making it indispensable for ordinary cultivators.

    Ji Yaoge was silent for a moment. In the Wu Xiang Sword Sect, she was highly esteemed, with all her resources provided by the sect, nevercking. She couldn¡¯t fully understand the struggles of ordinary cultivators who had to work for their resources. Even in Wan Ren Mountain, ordinary and outer disciples had toplete tasks to earn resources. While elite disciples of major sects enjoyed better treatment, the conditions for smaller sects were much harsher, with the worst being rogue cultivators. People admired immortals for their longevity and freedom, unaware of the strict hierarchies within immortal sects, where strength rules, much like the mortal world.

    This was a truth Ji Yaoge had understood long ago.

    "And the inner pavilion?" she asked after a brief pause.

    "The inner pavilion holds treasures like magical artifacts, weapons, spiritual medicines, and secret manuals that Madame has collected but doesn¡¯t use. There are also gifts from other sects and items found by our disciples. You are responsible for cleaning and inventorying it."

    "I can enter the inner pavilion?" Ji Yaoge was surprised. How could someone with her low cultivation be allowed into such an important ce?

    "Madame trusts you deeply, and because of your unique traits, she assigned you this duty so you could have a ce in the sect."

    Bai Yan¡¯s words were polite, but Ji Yaoge understood. Her poor aptitude meant she couldn¡¯t use the treasures inside, nor could she train like the others, so she was given these mundane tasks. In Wu Xiang Sword Sect, someone like her would have been left to fend for herself on Wan Ren Mountain, not wasting sect resources. In this sense, Chi Xiu Pce, though small, was more humane.

    This was perhaps the only advantage Ji Yaoge could think of for Chi Xiu Pce. However, in the cultivation world, being humane wasn¡¯t necessarily apliment.

    "Your cultivation is higher than mine, so why do you call me Senior Sister?" she asked, stepping up the stone steps toward the Cangling Pavilion.

    In the Wan Hua cultivation world, seniority is based on cultivation, not the time of entry. The one with higher cultivation is the senior. Yet Bai Yan always called himself her junior.

    Bai Yan¡¯s eyes sparkled with warmth. "Senior Sister forgot? When I first entered Chi Xiu Pce, you gave me three drops of clear dew. I remember it well." He tapped his head, "I forgot about your amnesia. No matter, regardless of the rules here or my future cultivation, I¡¯ll always respect you as my senior."

    His sincere words made Ji Yaoge think of someone who had called her Senior Sister for two hundred years.

    Eternal respect?

    What had she given back then, far more than three drops of clear dew?

    She didn¡¯t respond to his feelings, heading straight to the door. "How do you open this door?"

    Bai Yan didn¡¯t mind her coldness and pulled her hand before she could withdraw, pressing it against the door¡¯s restriction. The door rumbled open. "Once the door is open, everyone wille to submit their materials. You have ten days of work piled up. I¡¯ll stay in the outer pavilion to help you. I can¡¯t enter the inner pavilion, so you¡¯ll be on your own."

    "Thank you." Ji Yaoge, still unfamiliar with her surroundings, didn¡¯t refuse. After thanking him, she was about to enter when her primordial spirit tingled, an eerie energy creeping in like a snake in the dark.

    She trembled, gripping Bai Yan¡¯s arm, unable to move. The eerie energy was familiar, identical to the residual energy she felt when her spirit first entered this body.

    The person who helped her had mentioned that this body¡¯s original owner was turned into a living corpse by "Yin Cultivation." Could the one who performed the dark arts be a fellow sect member?

    Thinking this, she scanned the area, seeing a group approaching.

    The woman leading them was different from other female cultivators in Chi Xiu Pce. She wore a green robe under a dark red serpentine armor, with twin scimitars at her waist, a low-cored short dress exposing a deep cleavage and long, straight legs, her beauty fierce and striking.

    "Why is she here?" Bai Yan frowned slightly.

    "Who is she?" Ji Yaoge asked.

    "Senior Sister Ye Long, Madame¡¯s personal disciple," Bai Yan said, a smirk forming. "Besides Madame, her cultivation is the highest in the sect. She practices the Nanming Hehuan Technique, not picky about male or female partners."

    Ji Yaoge was stunned, still processing, when she heard Ye Long¡¯s voice.

    "Little short-lived ghost, still not dead yet?"

 Vol. 1 - Chapter 7 - Ye Long

    When Jiao Tao talked about Chi Xiu Pce, she mentioned Ye Long in passing to Ji Yaoge.

    Chi Xiu Pce doesn¡¯t have many members, totaling about forty people, including the pce master, Madame Ying Shuang. Among them, besides Madame Ying Shuang''s three personal disciples and a dozen low-level mortal servants who handle chores, the majority are ordinary cultivators neither excelling nor failing.

    The Senior Sister Ye Long mentioned by Bai Yan is the eldest disciple who has followed Madame Ying Shuang the longest and is her favorite. She broke through to the Golden Core stagest year, making her the second most powerful person in Chi Xiu Pce.

    Chi Xiu Pce has men who covet Ye Long and women who admire her. Ji Yaoge didn¡¯t understand what this meant until she saw Ye Long in person. Now, she suddenly understood¡ªYe Long was different from the senior and junior sisters on Wan Ren Mountain and also different from the women in Chi Xiu Pce.

    She exuded an ambiguous aura, both masculine and feminine, capable of being both soft and strong, charming and fierce. Just the way she called Ji Yaoge ¡®little short-lived ghost¡¯ was like a gentle scratch, tugging at the softest parts of one''s heart, free from the frivolitymon in Chi Xiu Pce. Even Bai Yan¡¯s flirtatious behavior seemed childlike inparison.

    "Little short-lived ghost, why are you daydreaming?"

    Ji Yaoge had never met such a woman before and couldn¡¯t help but take a few more nces. Ye Long walked up to her, tapping her brow with a finger. Although she didn¡¯t say much, her voice was inexplicably captivating. Ji Yaogeposed herself and bowed respectfully in the sect¡¯s manner.

    The men and women surrounding Ye Long had low cultivation but were all attractive in their own ways. The most notable were a man and a woman by Ye Long¡¯s side. The man had sharp features and wore a red robe, standing with his arms crossed, a half-smile ying on his lips. The woman was strikingly beautiful, with a half-plume of smoke tattooed around her right eye, extending into her hair, making her look even more alluring. Ji Yaoge couldn¡¯t help but take a second look. Bai Yan called them Senior Brother Ren and Senior Sister Yao when greeting them, so Ji Yaoge followed suit, but unlike Ye Long, they only nced at her briefly without responding.

    All kinds of probing gazes fell on Ji Yaoge. She used the bow as an opportunity to observe them quietly but couldn¡¯t identify anyone suspicious. The sudden eerie energy she felt earlier had vanished without a trace. It could havee from one of them or someone hidden deeper.

    However, wouldn¡¯t someone at Ye Long¡¯s level have detected such eerie energy? Ji Yaoge couldn¡¯t read any emotions on Ye Long¡¯s face. If Ye Long had noticed but pretended not to, wouldn¡¯t that suggest she was connected to the culprit?

    In a brief moment, no one could tell how many thoughts had raced through Ji Yaoge¡¯s mind. Her contemtive look seemed different to Ye Long.

    "You look pale. Are your injuries not healed?"

    "Thank you for your concern, Senior Sister. I am fine," Ji Yaoge replied, rubbing her brow involuntarily.

    Ye Long pondered for a moment, then handed her a small porcin bottle. "Take this bottle of Peiyuan Pills. Rest well if you¡¯re injured. The sect has been unstabletely, which is my failure as a Senior Sister. Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll find out who hurt you." Seeing Ji Yaoge hesitate, Ye Long pushed the bottle into her hands, pinching her chin gently. "Don¡¯t really be a short-lived ghost." With that, she smiled and walked into the Cangling Pavilion.

    The others followed Ye Long into the pavilion, and Ji Yaoge felt severalplex gazes on her, but no one questioned her. She only heard the steady footsteps and a faint chuckle in her ear.

    "Heh," a voice that seemed tough and scoff.

    Ji Yaoge nced over and saw Senior Sister Yao¡¯s ambiguous smile sh past.

    ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª

    Ye Long didn¡¯t stay long in the Cangling Pavilion. After leaving a few items for the sect, she quickly left without further conversation with Ji Yaoge. Once she left, her entourage also departed, but the pavilion didn¡¯t empty out.

    The management area outside the storeroom was cluttered with unsorted materials delivered in recent days, leaving little space to walk. Ji Yaoge nced over and found mostly low-quality items:mon herbs, ordinary pelts, mixed ores, and even food.

    "These are from the disciples responsible for gathering resources around Shuangxia Valley," Bai Yan exined.

    Though Chi Xiu Pce is small, it upies a mountain, and all its resources are imed by the pce. Low-level cultivators are usually sent to gather these resources like herbs, ores, and food. Though not valuable, they were numerous enough to keep Ji Yaoge busy for a while. Bai Yan kept his word and stayed to help her, handling most of the dirty work himself. But even as they worked, more disciples came to submit materials and collect spirit jade, keeping Ji Yaoge busy.

    By sunset, when the doors were about to close, the pile of materials hadn¡¯t diminished but increased.

    "Junior Brother Bai, it¡¯ste. You should go back," Ji Yaoge said, wiping her sweat.

    "And you?" Bai Yan brushed off the dust from his hands, asking.

    The cave was lit by glowing fireflymps that shone faintly, making her face look even colder.

    "There¡¯s too much work to finish. I¡¯ll stay here for a few days," Ji Yaoge said, still sorting through the materials.

    "I¡¯lle back tomorrow," Bai Yan said with a grin.

    "Thank you." Ji Yaoge¡¯s gaze softened. After spending most of the day together, she still couldn¡¯t figure out his personality. He seemed frivolous but worked diligently, handling all the hardbor alone. However, whenever he paused, his words were always flirtatious, leaving her to ignore him as best she could.

    But her thanks were sincere.

    "Just a thanks?" Bai Yan moved closer, looking expectantly at her.

    "I have nothing to give you. How about this?" Ji Yaoge, not used to owing favors, sincerely pulled out the Peiyuan Pills. "Take this as a token of thanks."

    Bai Yan¡¯s narrow eyes examined the pills for a long time, then closed her hand over them.

    "I don¡¯t need this," he said, pushing the pills back.

    "Why not?" Ji Yaoge was puzzled. Bai Yan¡¯s cultivation wasn¡¯t much higher than hers, and in Chi Xiu Pce, he was considered a low-level cultivator. The Peiyuan Pills would benefit him greatly, and she saw his desire for them, yet he refused.

    "No reason," Bai Yan replied with a light smile. "I don¡¯t want this."

    "Then what do you want?"

    "Wait until you remember what I want," Bai Yan said mysteriously, then added, "When did you get that cinnabar mark on your brow? It looks nice."

    Ji Yaoge instinctively looked at the stone mirror on the wall¡ªthere was indeed a red mark on her brow. She had always thought it was part of this body. Could it not be?

    Before she could ponder further, Bai Yan quickly grabbed her waist and, catching her off-guard, kissed her brow.

    "You!" Ji Yaoge shouted angrily.

    But Bai Yan was already backing away, leaving with a yful, "Consider it thanks. Rest well, Senior Sister."

    ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª

    "Scoundrel!"

    After Bai Yan left, Ji Yaoge closed the pavilion door, standing before the mirror, angrily rubbing her forehead.

    Her forehead soon turned red, and the cinnabar mark grew even brighter. She stopped, studying the mark. This was where the soul-binding ritual had been performed. Could it be rted to her primordial spirit?

    Finding no answer, she soon dismissed the thought.

    Ji Yaoge sat cross-legged in the room, beginning to circte her energy. She stayed in the pavilion not because she was genuinely busy but for another reason.

    She had already nned her next steps. Returning to Wan Ren Mountain was impossible for now. Even if she could, her identity as a low-level Mei Sect cultivator would make her words unbelievable, and she risked being discovered and killed by Bai Li Qing. With her current frail body, leaving Chi Xiu Pce to wander Wan Hua was out of the question. The mountains and wilderness were full of dangerous beasts and cultivators. She needed a safe environment, and the pavilion provided that.

    But she realized the culprit who harmed the original owner was hiding in Chi Xiu Pce. Her awakening could put her in grave danger. The culprit likely expected her to turn into a living corpse, which exined why they didn¡¯t kill her. Now that she was awake, they would fear her remembering or suspecting her body had been taken over.

    Whatever the culprit thought, they would likely try to kill her.

    That¡¯s why she stayed in the pavilion. With her low cultivation, her residence had no defenses, making it easy for the culprit to attack. But the pavilion, being an important ce, had restrictions and formations preventing easy ess, making it much safer.

    Still, she needed to find the culprit quickly to prevent any information from leaking. Bai Li Qing was surely still searching for her, and if this news reached her, she woulde.

    Moreover, having taken over this identity, she felt obliged to do something for the original owner, repaying this debt.

    Resolving her thoughts, she began meditating, using the foundational techniques of Wu Xiang Sword Sect to try absorbing spiritual energy.

    She refused to believe this body¡¯s poor aptitude would result in failure every time.

    ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª

    Days passed, and her skepticism grew.

    The body¡¯s aptitude was so poor that despite several nights of relentless attempts, she made no progress. Ji Yaoge tried every technique she had learned since childhood, but none elicited any response from the body. Meditating and circting energy produced no results, and she felt nothing.

    This unprecedented situation frustrated her.

    "Senior Sister, did you rob a cest night?" Bai Yan asked, entering to find her looking exhausted.

    Ji Yaoge rubbed her brow, not responding. With only a third-level Qi Refinement cultivation, a mortal body, and no progress after several nights of attempts, she was utterly exhausted.

    "Here," Bai Yan tossed a pouch at her. "Today¡¯s allowances. I collected yours."

    Ji Yaoge caught the pouch, opening it to find a dozen low-grade spirit jades, a small bag of longevity grain, and a few crude yellow talismans.

    Nothing more.

    "Madame returns the day after tomorrow. How long do you n to stay here?" Bai Yan asked casually, picking up a jade slip from the table.

    After a few days, the outer pavilion¡¯s affairs were sorted, but she showed no sign of returning to her residence.

    "Tomorrow," Ji Yaoge answered, picking up the yellow talismans thoughtfully.

    ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª

    That night, Ji Yaoge didn¡¯t meditate as she had the previous nights. After closing the pavilion, she began searching the storeroom. The numerous items were well-organized, making her search quick.

    In no time, she had gathered the materials she needed on the table.

    Cinnabar, glow powder, sulfur... Red and orange powders were ced in porcin dishes, allmon items in the storeroom. Taking a bit wouldn¡¯t be noticed.

    The powders were for making talismans. Although her cultivation had faded, she still remembered the talisman techniques taught by her sect. Drawing talismans required spiritual power, and her dantian was empty, so she needed external help.

    With a clinking sound, she poured all her spirit jades onto the table, counting them. She kept five. Spirit jades served as currency and storage for spiritual energy. Though low-grade jades had thin, mixed energy, they were herst resort for making talismans.

    Mixing the powders with water, she closed her eyes, recalling the talisman techniques. She had rarely relied on tools, focusing on personal cultivation, so she wasn¡¯t proficient with talismans. But her foundational knowledge was solid, quickly identifying a few techniques.

    Extracting energy from the spirit jades, she dipped a brush in cinnabar and began drawing on the yellow talismans. The talismans glowed faintly with blue light following her strokes. Concentrating, she moved from one talisman to the next. On thest talisman, she bit her finger, mixing her blood with the ink to draw intricate runes.

    After a while, the final talisman wasplete. Pale, Ji Yaoge rested against the table, carefully folding the talisman and tucking it into her clothes. With no magic at her disposal, this was her only means of protection for now.

    Dawn broke again.

    ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª

    Wan Ren Mountain¡¯s morning harp notes mixed with crane calls, spreading across the thirteen peaks of Wu Xiang Sword Sect with the first rays of morning light.

    Spring Roll Cave, belonging to Bai Yun, had been deste for days. In the vast cave, a slender figure in white sat cross-legged under the dome, bloodshot eyes ring at the white talisman on the ground.

    "It¡¯s been over two months, and you still haven¡¯t found her?" Her voice was hoarse, weak.

    The talisman moved silently, but she erupted in anger: "Useless! Just a fleeing primordial spirit, and it cost me two Soul-Chasing Beasts. Bai Yun, I underestimated you!"

    Calming down, she continued, "Since she disappeared in Tiyu Prefecture, search every inch of it!"

    The talisman moved again, but she quickly retrieved it, sensing someone outside.

    "Junior Sister, how are you today?"

    In the faint morning light, a figure approached, d in a sky-blue cloak, wide sleeves rippling like waves, slowly stepping into the room.

    For a moment, all her anger and ferocity melted into tenderness at his gentle smile.

    "Senior Brother," she called softly.

    He sat by her bed, looking into her eyes, "You didn¡¯t rest well again? Still thinking about the shattered core?"

    She lowered her head, smiling bitterly, "A shattered core is hard to reform. Senior Brother, I¡¯m not the Bai Yun I used to be."

    "How are you not? Bai Yun is Bai Yun, unique in this world." He smiled again, gentle as ever. "Don¡¯t worry about the core. I¡¯ve found someone who might help."

    Her eyes lit up, "Who?"

    "Uncle Yuan Huan of Tai Chu Sect," he said, brushing her hair.

    "Uncle Yuan Huan... the one even our ancestor had to seek out?"

    "Yes. I¡¯ve already informed Master. I¡¯ll go find him soon..."

    She interrupted, grabbing his hand, "Senior Brother, don¡¯t go! I heard he¡¯s difficult to deal with. I don¡¯t want you humbling yourself for me, or seeing you troubled. If I could form a core once, I can do it again. Just give me time."

    Seeing his hesitation, she gripped his hand tighter, "Promise me you won¡¯t go, Senior Brother."

    "You..." He was suddenly at a loss for words.

 Vol. 1 - Chapter 8 - Luan He

    The day before Madame Ying Shuang''s return, Ji Yaoge finally left the Cangling Pavilion and returned to her residence.

    Chi Xiu Pce became lively with Ying Shuang''s return, as disciples who had been out training also returned, crowding the small mountain with male and female cultivators. The noise reached Ji Yaoge''s ears through the curtain door of her stone cave.

    Ji Yaoge remained seated cross-legged on her bed in meditation¡ªanother fruitless night.

    "Senior Sister!" With a familiar call, a figure habitually barged into her cave.

    Wearing a moon-white robe and a high bun, Bai Yan''s attire today was quite handsome, adding a masculine grace¡ªat least, until he reached Ji Yaoge''s cave entrance.

    As the curtain door lifted, revealing the interior, a cold st of wind suddenly blew out, forcing Bai Yan to retreat two steps, his head and eyebrows covered in ayer of frost, his clothes damp.

    Ji Yaoge emerged slowly from inside. "Junior Brother Bai Yan, I warned you not to barge into my cave."

    Bai Yan, looking bewildered, pointed at her nose. "You..."

    "Senior Sister is teaching you manners. Next time, remember to knock." Seeing him in such a state, Ji Yaoge felt quite satisfied.

    "What was that?" Bai Yan red at the cave entrance.

    With a serious tone, she patted his shoulder. "Just a small talisman restriction to deal with people with no manners."

    Bai Yan frowned, shaking his head to scatter the frost. Ji Yaoge covered her mouth and nose, stepping back, but he grabbed her wrist firmly, channeling his spiritual energy to turn the moisture into a white mist, blowing it towards her maliciously.

    "Senior Sister has indeed improved," he said through gritted teeth.

    Ji Yaoge flipped her hand to break free, retorting, "Same to you."

    As the white mist dissipated, Bai Yan noticed a sh of defiance in her big eyes, a stark contrast to her former submissive gentleness. Yet, when he tried to take a closer look, she had already turned her gaze and started walking outside.

    Just a trick of the mind.

    ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª

    "Madame Ying Shuang has arrived at Ju''an Hall. All the disciples are rushing to see her. I came to inform you out of kindness, but it seems it¡¯s not appreciated!" Bai Yan muttered resentfully, lingering at the cave entrance before following Ji Yaoge.

    But Ji Yaoge didn¡¯t respond, pacing back and forth outside her cave, with no intention of leaving.

    "Why inform me? As a low-level cultivator, I wouldn¡¯t gain anything even if I squeezed in front of Madame. Why join the crowd?" she said nonchntly.

    "Suchck of ambition! What are you looking for?" Bai Yan grabbed her arm.

    "Nothing much," Ji Yaoge replied, "I¡¯m not going to Ju''an Hall. Madame will likely bring back many items that need to be sent to the Cangling Pavilion, so I''ll be busy. If you want to go, you¡¯d better hurry, or you might miss out."

    Bai Yan hesitated for a moment, then waved his sleeve. "Fine, I''ll go see. If there''s anything good, I''ll get you a share." In the end, his greed for whatever benefits Madame Ying Shuang might bring won out, and he left.

    Watching him disappear from sight and seeing her fellow disciples heading for Ju''an Hall, the surroundings quieted down. Ji Yaoge squatted to the ground, brushing her palm over the soil, and out popped a small grass figure.

    About the size of a palm, the grass figure leaped into her hand.

    This was one of the talismans she had made in the Cangling Pavilion, just like the restriction at her cave entrance. Both were basic defense talismans, hard for ordinary cultivators to detect. The one at her cave entrance was a spirit puppet talisman, which used mountain beast spirits to inhabit the puppet grass figure, making it a watcher for her cave. It wasn¡¯t offensive, so even a Golden Core cultivator would have a hard time noticing it.

    "Was there any troublest night?" Ji Yaoge asked.

    The grass figure gesticted wildly. Watching for a moment, Ji Yaoge thought, "So, someone dide by." They came at night but didn¡¯t act, likely probing her situation. "Did you see their face?" The grass figure shook its head, then jumped into the grass beside her, pointing far away.

    "Let¡¯s go," Ji Yaoge understood, following the grass figure.

    ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª

    Chi Xiu Pce isn¡¯t big, and after a few days, Ji Yaoge had be familiar with most areas, except for the small forest on the west side, which she had never visited.

    The grass figure led her to the base of a slope and stopped.

    "You followed them herest night, and they disappeared?" Ji Yaoge pondered.

    The grass figure nodded quickly.

    "Alright, you can go back now." With a wave of her hand, the grass figure burrowed back into the ground.

    The small forest wasn¡¯t particrly remarkable, with sunlight filtering through the sparse trees, and the ground covered in a type of flower with purple calyxes and red petals. Ordinary but new to Ji Yaoge.

    The breeze brought a strange scent, sweet with a hint of milky fragrance, resembling...

    Ji Yaoge frowned.

    ...resembling a woman''s natural body scent.

    This ce wasn¡¯t off-limits. She had seen disciples go there in pairs, but when she asked Jiao Tao or Bai Yan about it, they always avoided the topic, which only made it seem more mysterious. Ji Yaoge took a couple of steps into the grass, contemting whether to investigate further, when she felt a sting on her foot, as if something was crawling up.

    "Hiss." She instinctively shook her foot and looked down.

    A flower calyx, for some reason, hade to life and stung her foot. She quickly shook it off and squatted to examine the sting. It was just slightly red and itchy, with no other symptoms. Puzzled, she decided not to explore further and started to leave but suddenly noticed the itchiness spreading like wildfire across her body.

    Looking down, her once-pale skin was now tinged with a faint red hue, just like the sting and the itch, spreading all over. She rubbed her skin through her clothes, feeling the itch deep in her bones, yet scratching provided no relief.

    It was maddening.

    She scratched her neck, loosening her cor, wanting to tear her skin off.

    "Fool!" A low curse sounded as a man with a white cloth over his face flew over, pulling her out of the forest into an open area. Once there, he angrily removed the cloth, demanding, "Weren¡¯t you supposed to be at the Cangling Pavilion? What are you doing here?"

    Ji Yaoge couldn''t speak, her body twisting ufortably, her cor already open, exposing her red plum undergarment and flushed skin. Her lips were red, and her cheeks were flushed¡ªthough not conventionally beautiful, her aroused state was naturally seductive, making Bai Yan¡¯s eyes darken.

    "What kind of flower is that? Is it poisonous?" she asked, still unaware, scratching and itching.

    "Poisonous?" Bai Yan almostughed, "Did you smell its scent and get stung by its calyx?"

    "Yes," Ji Yaoge muttered.

    Bai Yan circled her, seeing red marks on her neck and corbone from scratching, and pulled her hand down. "Stop scratching. It¡¯s useless. How do you feel?"

    "Itchy." Ji Yaoge wanted to rub against a tree.

    "Just itchy?" Bai Yan held her hands, asking.

    "Hot." Sweat beaded on her forehead.

    "Itchy and hot? That¡¯s all?" Bai Yan found her clear eyes puzzling. "That can¡¯t be right. Don''t you feel anything else?"

    "Like what?" The itch alone was driving her mad. What else was there? Ji Yaoge red at him.

    Bai Yan stared at her for a moment, then suddenly pulled her close, one hand caressing her cheek. The sudden closeness made Ji Yaoge momentarily forget the itch. She grabbed his wrist and twisted out of his grip.

    "Are you looking for trouble?" she snapped, scratching her back.

    "Odd, you¡¯re resisting a man''s touch?" Bai Yan, not angry, freed himself and adjusted his sleeves, looking curious. "Senior Sister, that flower is called Luan He. It¡¯s the main ingredient in our sect¡¯s secret aphrodisiac, Chun Xing Powder."

    "Chun Xing Powder?" Ji Yaoge had never heard of it. "What kind of medicine is it? Can it kill?"

    Bai Yan chuckled, "No, it won¡¯t kill. It¡¯s an aphrodisiac, used to enhance dual cultivation, cloud and rain, and also a love potion. It''s one of our sect¡¯s prized possessions."

    "...," Ji Yaoge finally understood she had been drugged with an aphrodisiac. Her face turned red and green with anger, finally asking, "How do I cure it?"

    "Cure? No, it¡¯s a pleasure drug," Bai Yanughed, correcting her. "You need to find a man and enjoy yourself..." He pointed to himself, about to offer but was cut off by Ji Yaoge''s coldmand, "Shut up! Tell me another way!"

    Bai Yan, grinning, suddenly bound her with spiritual energy and threw her over his shoulder, leaping away.

    ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª

    With a ssh, Ji Yaoge was tossed into a pool of icy water, sending droplets everywhere. The cold spring water shocked her, suppressing the heat and itch. She surfaced, ring at Bai Yan, who was squatting on the shore.

    "How long do I have to soak?" she ground out.

    Bai Yan smiled innocently, "Normally, anyone affected would need to engage in lovemaking for three days and nights to be cured. Your case is unique¡ªyour body reacts, but your mind is clear. No one¡¯s seen this before, so just soak."

    Lovemaking... three days and nights... Ji Yaoge was so furious her lips trembled. She stood, then quickly sat back as the itch returned.

    "Your sect is full of vile things!" she cursed, feeling humiliated beyond measure, wishing she could burn those flowers.

    "Senior Sister, it''s our sect. You entered before me, so don''t forget your roots. Chi Xiu Pce is part of Mei Sect. If we didn''t grow seductive nts and make aphrodisiacs, should we meditate and chant scriptures?" Bai Yan mocked, washing his hands in the pool. "You used to be quiet, but not this rigid. One Luan He flower and you¡¯re this upset? You have a lot to learn."

    "...," She really had changed.

    Bai Yan sshed water at her, then sat on the shore. ¡°Forget it. I¡¯ll keep youpany.¡±

    Calming down, Ji Yaoge asked, "Did you go to Ju''an Hall? Were you following me?"

    He raised an eyebrow, not denying it. "You¡¯ve been acting strangely. I was worried."

    "I¡¯m investigating my injury. The culprit is likely within the sect. Knowing I¡¯m awake, they might try to kill me." She watched his every reaction. Though potentially suspicious, Bai Yan was away during her attack, and if he meant her harm, he had plenty of chances. She needed help, and Bai Yan was the best option.

    Hearing her, Bai Yan¡¯s smile faded. "What exactly happened?"

    "I''m not sure. Senior Sister Jiao Tao said two senior brothers found me unconscious in the valley, brought me back, and I woke up ten dayster with no memory. But I vaguely recall a strong yin energy. I sensed it again at the Cangling Pavilion, so..."

    "You think the culprit is in the sect, and stayed at the Cangling Pavilion for safety?" Bai Yan quickly deduced.

    "Yes. I just returned to my cave and found someone outsidest night. I set up a small restriction to track them, leading me to Luan He forest." She shared her findings, omitting her true identity.

    "You should have told me sooner!" Bai Yan scolded. "With your limited cultivation, do you n to investigate alone?"

    "The culprit is powerful, likely using dark arts. The yin energy is strange. I didn''t want anyone else involved." Ji Yaoge felt guilty. Her revtion would drag Bai Yan into this mess.

    "Senior Sister, Bai Yan may be selfish, but I keep my promises." Bai Yan looked down.

    "...," Ji Yaoge had no response. She wasn¡¯t his real Senior Sister, yet she had inherited this bond, making her feel like a deceiver.

    "Don¡¯t force yourself to remember," Bai Yan saw through her thoughts, unaffected.

    Ji Yaoge clenched her fists. Fine, she¡¯d owe him this favor and repay itter. "Bai Yan, can you help me with something now?"

    "What is it?" he asked.

    "Go to Ju''an Hall and check who has the scent of Luan He."

    If the person passed through Luan He forest, the scent would linger, and with all the disciples gathered at Ju''an Hall, it was the best chance to identify them.

    Unable to leave the pool, she had to rely on Bai Yan.

    ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª

    Bai Yan agreed and left, leaving Ji Yaoge alone in the pool, surrounded by the sounds of nature. She found a rock to sit on and began meditating.

    Though she knew it was futile, she refused to give up.

    After a while, footsteps approached through the muddy ground.

    "Yaoge? Been looking all over for you!" Jiao Tao waved from the shore. "What are you doing? Get out of there!"

    Ji Yaoge opened her eyes, "Senior Sister Jiao Tao, what is it?"

    "Madame brought back many treasures that need to be stored in the inner pavilion. They''re already at the Cangling Pavilion. You need to go there!" Jiao Tao urged.

    Standing up, Ji Yaoge found the heat and itch had subsided.

    Three days and nights of lovemaking¡ªBai Yan had tricked her again.

 Vol. 1 - Chapter 9 - Bookworm Immortal

    Rushing to the Cangling Pavilion, Ji Yaoge bumped into the people delivering the items.

    "Open the pavilion. Senior Sister Yue Xiao and I are here on Madame''s orders to deliver some of the treasures she brought back to the inner pavilion." Ye Long smiled as she greeted Ji Yaoge.

    Ji Yaoge looked over and saw several disciples holding trays standing outside the pavilion. Ye Long and another female cultivator stood on the stone steps awaiting her. Ji Yaoge returned their greeting with a bow. "Greetings, Senior Sister Ye Long, Senior Sister Yue Xiao."

    Yue Xiao was also one of Madame Ying Shuang¡¯s three disciples, ranked second under Ye Long. Observing her appearance, Ji Yaoge thought she embodied the word ¡®charming,¡¯ looking like she was born and raised in Chi Xiu Pce. With her snake-like waist, full hips, fair skin, and ample chest, her appearance was captivating. Her subtle movements were naturally alluring, making one feel that even being scolded by her would be pleasing.

    These two standing together were like two extremes.

    "Little short-lived ghost." Ye Long followed Ji Yaoge up the steps, looking her up and down from behind. "What happened to you?"

    Ji Yaoge¡¯s cultivation wasn¡¯t high enough, and her clothes were still damp¡ªJiao Tao had only helped dry them partially. Her hair was still damp, and her clothes weren¡¯t fully dry, something Ye Long noticed immediately.

    "I was just at the South Pool... fishing," Ji Yaoge made up an excuse. As soon as she finished, she was enveloped in warmth, the moisture quickly turning into white mist and dissipating.

    "Your body is weak, almost like a mortal. Falling into water during this season can make you sick. Don¡¯t y around too much," Ye Long said, dispersing the golden light from her fingers. "Or did someone bully you in the sect?"

    "No..."

    Ji Yaoge was about to deny it when a cold snort interrupted them.

    "Stop dawdling. Are you done yet?" Yue Xiao said, brushing past them into the Cangling Pavilion and ring at Ji Yaoge as she passed.

    Her eyes, usually filled with spring charm, now held anger and hatred, making Ji Yaoge pause. But a gentle pat from Ye Long on her shoulder and a somewhat resigned voice in her ear reassured her, "It¡¯s good that no one is bullying you. If anyone does, let me know. Let¡¯s go."

    Ji Yaoge quickly followed.

    ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª

    Besides Ji Yaoge, no other disciples could enter the inner pavilion. Ye Long and Yue Xiao watched as Ji Yaoge stored all the items inside and checked them against the inventory list before preparing to leave.

    "Besides these new treasures, Madame wants you to inventory all the items in the inner pavilion and present the list to her in three days," Yue Xiao said coldly. Seeing Ji Yaoge nod, she added sternly, "Make sure every item is ounted for. If there¡¯s even the slightest mistake, you¡¯ll pay with your life!"

    "Alright, don¡¯t scare her." Ye Long, already at the door, frowned, looking back.

    "Hmph!" Yue Xiao scoffed with a half-mocking, half-charming smile, and left, her sleeves fluttering.

    Ye Long stroked the engraved handle of her curved de at her waist, silent for a moment, then left without another word. This small episode didn¡¯t trouble Ji Yaoge. She wasn¡¯t a magical artifact meant to be loved by everyone; it was normal to have people who disliked her. After they left, the heavy doors of the Cangling Pavilion closed, leaving Ji Yaoge alone to sort the items.

    The inner pavilion was smaller than the outer one but much more refined, divided into severalpartments by carved screens. Eachpartment stored treasures umted over the years, though none were particrly precious. The most valuable items were kept in Madame Ying Shuang¡¯s storage bag.

    Ji Yaoge had cleaned the inner pavilion before, so she was familiar with itsyout. Thepartments were divided into six categories: pills, weapons, magical artifacts, books, and so on. Eachpartment had tall dragonwood cabs storing various items, totaling over a thousand items. However,pared to a small sub-hall treasury on Wan Ren Mountain, the collection here was meager, though still cherished.

    This was the stark difference between small sects andrge ones.

    Sorting the new items into their respectivepartments, she recorded each entry on a jade slip. With Madame Ying Shuang expecting a full inventory in three days, Ji Yaoge needed to be thorough. With over a thousand items to check, it was a tedious task. Fortunately, the previous Ji Yaoge had been meticulous, documenting every entry and exit in detail, making the verification process easier.

    After locking herself in the inner pavilion for two days, she had checked eighty percent of the items, leaving only the pill room.

    The room was filled with a fragrant medicinal scent. Neatly arranged on the cabs were porcin bottles, brocade boxes, and various herbs not yet processed into medicine. Ji Yaoge checked the jade slip¡ªmost of the pills were basic, useless to her due to her unique constitution.

    Following the jade slip, she checked each item, slowly making her way to the end. Thest cab held more valuable pills, though there weren¡¯t many varieties. After verifying the quantity, she marked it on the jade slip. Finishing thest entry, she breathed a sigh of relief and stretched, identally knocking a brocade box off the cab.

    Plop¡ª

    The box fell, and the pill inside rolled out.

    She quickly set down the jade slip and picked up the pill. The longan-sized pill emitted a faint fragrance, refreshing her spirit. Ji Yaoge couldn¡¯t resist taking a deep breath before cing the box back on the cab. As she was about to return the pill, a doubt crossed her mind. She sniffed the pill again and inspected it closely, her expression changing as she read thebel.

    B¨¬ Su¨« W¨¢n.

    B¨¬ Su¨« W¨¢n was a pill used by cultivators in thete Qi Refinement and early Foundation Establishment stages to cleanse the body and enhance spiritual energy absorption. She had started using it at the fifth level of Qi Refinement. It was a valuable pill for small sects butmon in Wu Xiang Sword Sect. As a disciple favored by the sect, she had nevercked such pills.

    Ji Yaoge quickly returned the pill to the brocade box and opened the other boxes containing B¨¬ Su¨« W¨¢n. There were five in total, each holding a pill. The pills were green and translucent, emitting a fragrant scent.

    No doubt they were B¨¬ Su¨« W¨¢n.

    But... something was off.

    These five pills seemed slightly smaller than the ones she had used before, and their scent was fainter, with a hint of sweetness. Rubbing the pill with her fingertip, she ced it to her lips and tasted it¡ªalongside the usual cool and sweet taste was a subtle sweetness.

    Ji Yaoge concluded that the pills had been tampered with.

    Whoever did it was skilled, grinding down one pill¡¯s worth from five pills and mixing it with green pine honey and celestial lemon grass, then reforming and baking the pills. This way, the quantity appeared unchanged, but the dosage of each pill was reduced. The size and weight differed from the original due to the added ingredients.

    "Who tampered with the pills?" Ji Yaoge frowned.

    Besides Madame Ying Shuang, only she had ess to the inner pavilion. But why would she steal pills? Given her poor constitution, these pills were useless to her. Even if she needed them, she had to reach the fifth level of Qi Refinement to use them, so they weren¡¯t for personal use. Selling them for spirit jade? But her storage bag held barely anything of value, not even close to the worth of one B¨¬ Su¨« W¨¢n.

    Why did the previous Ji Yaoge steal the pills?

    Rubbing her temples, Ji Yaoge stared at the full cab of pills. A more terrifying thought crossed her mind¡ªcould all the pills have been tampered with like this? If discovered, she¡¯d be the first to fall.

    Quickly recing the five boxes, she moved to open the nearby porcin bottles.

    Whoosh¡ª

    A sh of golden light zipped past the carved screen divider, disappearing in an instant.

    Rubbing her eyes, she saw no light. Suspicious, she ced her items down, clutching a spirit talisman, and cautiously approached the next room.

    The next room was the book archive, where she had already checked without finding anything abnormal. The source of the golden light was unknown.

    Peering inside from the doorway, Ji Yaoge saw only the faint light of the phoenix-headed nightstone, shining like daylight. The golden light seemed like an illusion. Slowly entering, she looked towards where the light had vanished.

    New jade slips sent by Madame Ying Shuang earlier still sat in ce, untouched.

    Everything was quiet.

    "Hic!" In the silence, a low burp came from the jade slips.

    "Haven¡¯t had fresh stuff in ages," a raspy voice followed.

    Ji Yaoge¡¯s frown deepened.

    A sh of golden light darted from under the jade slip into another one.

    Stepping closer, Ji Yaoge squinted at the source.

    Another burp sounded, followed by silence, then a sudden sh of golden light. Ji Yaoge, seeing her chance, swiftly reached for it.

    The golden light flickered, followed by a startled cry. Ji Yaoge slowly retracted her hand, the light dimming at her fingertips.

    A t, red-gold bug the size of a baby¡¯s palm wriggled between her pale fingers.

    "A bookworm?"

    Ji Yaoge stared in disbelief at the bug.

    She had never seen such arge bookworm before.

    It looked... quite disgusting.

 Vol. 1 - Chapter 10 - Bai Yu

    The bookworm in Ji Yaoge''s hand is also known as a Bai Yu. Bai Yu are long and thin, resembling fish, with three tails and two antennae. Normally, they are only about an inch long and silver-gray, feeding on book pages. However, the one in Ji Yaoge¡¯s hand was the size of a baby¡¯s palm, pale gold with a slight translucence, its back scales carrying ginkgo patterns, six tails, four antennae, and pitch-ck eyes. Unlike ordinary bookworms, it must have been cultivating for many years, turning into a yao (Ñý) creature.

    Ji Yaoge had never heard of low-intelligence creatures like bookworms being able to cultivate.

    "Stupid mortal, let go of me!" The bookworm''s four slender antennae twitched. It spoke even though its mouth didn''t move.

    "You can talk? How many years have you been cultivating?" Ji Yaoge didn¡¯t want to hold the bug any longer and flicked it onto the cab. Just as it tried to escape, she pressed a finger on its back.

    The bookworm was furious, its six legs iling. "Take your disgusting hand off me! I''ve been cultivating for 3,600 years, longer than your great-great-great-grandfather. I¡¯m probably your ancestor¡¯s peer."

    Ji Yaoge kept pressing on it. "3,600 years?" She was astonished. Normally, 3,600 years of cultivation would at least be at thete Nascent Soul or early Transformation stage. But no matter how she looked, this bookworm didn¡¯t seem to have that level of cultivation. "Even for a yao, you should¡¯ve taken human form by now. Show me."

    "You¡¯re the yao! Your whole family are yao!" The bookworm fumed. "Why should I take human form? You humans are ugly and clumsy. How can youpare to my handsome golden armor and regal appearance? No way!"

    "...," Ji Yaoge was speechless.

    "What¡¯s with that look? Are you saying I''m wrong? Don¡¯t you think I¡¯m not beautiful?" The bookworm saw the disdain in her eyes.

    "...," Beauty standards differ between species. Ji Yaoge realized they would never agree on this, so she quickly changed the subject. "Why are you here? How long have you been hiding?"

    The bookworm suddenly went silent, its ck eyes glinting. Its six needle-like tails curled like a scorpion''s stinger, aiming to sting Ji Yaoge''s hand. Ji Yaoge quickly withdrew her hand, avoiding the sting, but the bug used the opportunity to dart away, disappearing in a sh of golden light.

    Not a word left behind.

    The room returned to silence, as if the bookworm had never appeared.

    Ji Yaoge paced the room, unable to find where the bug had hidden. A round table and stools sat in the center of the library. She sat down, poured herself some tea, and slowly said, "There¡¯s a bookworm in the library. I guess I¡¯ll need to bring in some insect-repelling herbs tomorrow, maybe spray some ant and bug liquid, and ce some thousand-year camphor balls. It would be best to add a couple of green-faced spiders..."

    "You cruel girl! I have no grudge against you, so why are you trying to kill me?"

    The golden light shed overhead, and the bookworm reappeared, its antennae and tails trembling with rage.

    Insect-repelling herbs, ant and bug liquid, camphor balls¡ªthose were all used to exterminate pests. As for green-faced spiders, they were Bai Yu''s natural enemies. After 3,600 years of cultivation, these things couldn¡¯t kill him, but they would harm his cultivation. Besides, green-faced spiders were hideous...

    He didn¡¯t want to see one!

    Ji Yaoge covered her mouth, gesturing with her eyes. "Sit."

    "Hmph!" The bookworm angrily smacked onto the table opposite her.

    "I am Ji Yaoge. May I know your name?" She asked politely, bowing slightly.

    "I am Gao Ba Dou."

    "Uh," Ji Yaoge coughed, clenching her fist to cover her mouth. "Gao Ba Dou, as in talented and learned?"

    "Hmph, I¡¯ve roamed the sea of books for 3,600 years and read millions of books. Do I not deserve such a name?" Gao Ba Dou said proudly.

    "Of course you do," Ji Yaoge agreed. "I¡¯m just curious. How have you been cultivating for 3,600 years, and why are you hiding here?"

    After her question, Ji Yaoge swore she saw contempt in the bug''s eyes.

    "Being a Bai Yu, I naturally eat books," Gao Ba Dou began to tell his story.

    ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª

    One person and one bug sat across the table, conversing.

    Gao Ba Dou was originally an ordinary bookworm in a human pce library, fond of nibbling on books. By sheer luck, he survived several extermination attempts. When his lifespan was nearly up, a batch of cultivation jade slips was secretly stored in the library. After sneaking in, he absorbed the spiritual energy within the jade slips, gaining weak intelligence within ten years and starting to cultivate.

    "You humans only absorb spiritual energy from heaven and earth, not knowing the pure and profound spiritual essence contained in books..." Gao Ba Dou sighed.

    To Ji Yaoge, it sounded more like a gourmet talking about food.

    After discovering he could absorb the spiritual essence from books, Gao Ba Dou used it as sustenance. Cultivation books are the distilled wisdom of predecessors, containing spiritual essence different from ordinary spiritual energy. Normal people couldn''t sense it, but Gao Ba Dou could consume it. Once the essence was depleted, the book was essentially read and couldn''t be consumed again. This method didn¡¯t harm the books but reduced their number for Gao Ba Dou. The pce library couldn''t satisfy his needs, but he was lucky to be taken to the cultivation world inside a jade slip, starting his carefree days in the libraries of Wan Hua Immortal World.

    He couldn¡¯t count how many libraries he¡¯d stayed in or how many cultivation books he¡¯d nibbled on. Each day, he would feast on spiritual essence, hibernating when no books were avable. From a tiny bookworm, he slowly evolved into the Bookworm Immortal.

    Nobody thought a bookworm could cultivate, and since he avoided battles and could hide his aura, he remained undetected for 3,600 years until tonight.

    "This ce is truly poor. No new books for years. I¡¯m starving, my scales have lost their luster." Gao Ba Dou fumed.

    A hundred years ago, he was brought into the Chi Xiu Pce library with a jade slip. Realizing the ce was poor and the books were low-level, he hibernated. Three days ago, new books arrived, and he couldn¡¯t resist, revealing himself and getting caught by Ji Yaoge.

    "Sorry about that," Ji Yaoge apologized insincerely.

    "I¡¯ve told my story. Now it¡¯s your turn." Gao Ba Dou''s antennae twitched as he spoke.

    "There¡¯s not much to tell, just a low-level cultivator from Mei Sect," Ji Yaoge said casually.

    "Don¡¯t lie to me, girl. In my 3,600 years, I haven¡¯t learned much magic, but I¡¯ve mastered the art of recognizing spirits." Gao Ba Dou''s voice grew raspy and ethereal. "You¡¯re not Ji Yaoge."

    Seeing through her in an instant.

    Ji Yaoge stiffened but remained calm. "Is that so?"

    "Is that girl dead?" Gao Ba Dou asked, somewhat sentimental.

    Ji Yaoge paused for a long time before replying, "Yes, sort of."

    "Did you kill her?" he asked.

    She shook her head. "No, when I found her, she was already just a body."

    "I knew it. Who would choose her for spirit seizing? That girl was pitiful..." Gao Ba Dou sighed but soonughed darkly. "But you¡¯re even more pitiful, choosing such a useless body for rebirth. You might as well have died and reincarnated."

    "...," Ji Yaoge was troubled by this, her face darkening. "What¡¯s wrong with her body?"

    "She worked here for over ten years. Though we never met, I recognized her. I once examined her body while she was asleep. She has a unique constitution called a Double Void Body."

    "What does Double Void mean?" Ji Yaoge asked.

    "First, void of emotions; second, void of spirit. Unlike normal people, she has no emotions, making her detached, which is rare and valuable for cultivation, as it requires strong will and detachment from love and hate. But she also has a void spirit body, meaning her meridians are blocked, and her consciousness is muddled, making it impossible to absorb spiritual energy and cultivate," Gao Ba Dou exined. "You seem smart, so let me advise you. With this body, forget about cultivation. Either livefortably or cut your throat and start over."

    "...," Ji Yaoge was silent for a long time. "Is there really no other way?"

    Gao Ba Dou saw her determination, his ck eyes staring at her. "Since you¡¯ve seen my true form, we¡¯re fated. If you trust me, let me examine your primordial spirit."

    Ji Yaoge hesitated but nodded. Trust didn¡¯t matter; things couldn¡¯t get worse.

    Gao Ba Dou, gaining her consent, flew up andnded on her head, extending two antennae into the cinnabar mark on her brow.

    Ji Yaoge closed her eyes, feeling only a slight itch on her forehead, nothing else.

    After a while, she heard him mutter, "Hmm, missing one of three souls. Your spirit isn¡¯tplete."

    "Which soul is missing?" Ji Yaoge was puzzled. Since her rebirth, she hadn¡¯t felt anything amiss. Instead of anger and resentment, she felt calm.

    "You¡¯re missing the Hidden Essence Soul."

    "Hidden Essence...," Ji Yaoge frowned. "That governs emotions, love, and intimacy."

    No wonder she felt so calm.

    "What does that mean?"

    "Missing one of three souls means your spirit isn¡¯t whole. Over time, you could be unstable and go mad." Gao Ba Dou withdrew his antennae, flying back to the table. "Cutting your throat isn¡¯t an option. Without aplete spirit, if you reincarnate, you might be born a fool."

    Ji Yaoge felt worse. Another problem on top of everything else. Even death wasn¡¯t an option.

    "Is there really no cultivation method for me?" she asked after a long silence.

    epting her situation, she sought solutions. In the cultivation world, strength was everything. To retrieve her missing soul, she needed to be strong, making cultivation essential.

    "There¡¯s none, at least not in this room," Gao Ba Dou dismissed her immediately.

    Ji Yaoge fell silent, but Gao Ba Dou suddenly eximed, "Wait, there is one..."

    Her eyes lit up. "Where?"

    "I can give you the book, but you must promise to take me out of this poor ce and find a big library," Gao Ba Dou negotiated.

    "Agreed," Ji Yaoge said without hesitation.

    Gao Ba Dou cackled, flying to the base of a bookshelf. "Come, take it."

    Ji Yaoge approached, seeing a damaged bookshelf with a gray jade slip propping it up. She questioned with her eyes¡ªwho would use a precious cultivation manual as a prop?

    "Pick it up and see. I believe it¡¯s the most suitable method for you," Gao Ba Dou urged.

    Half-believing, Ji Yaoge crouched beside the bookshelf, propping it up with her shoulder and quickly pulling out the jade slip. The bookshelf wobbled, and she had to support it with her back, holding the slip in her hands, concentrating to probe it.

    Quickly, an old book appeared in her mind.

    On the cover was a scantily d woman, next to vulgar red characters¡ª"The Beauty Cultivation Technique." It looked like a manual for erotic art.

    She quickly closed her mind, ring at Gao Ba Dou.

    Gao Ba Dou flew up. "Don¡¯t look at me like that. I know what you¡¯re thinking. This is the best method I could find for you. You¡¯re not attractive, the inest I¡¯ve ever seen. If you can''t cultivate, be a beauty. Maybe you¡¯ll find a powerful cultivator willing to help you..."

    Before he finished, Ji Yaoge threw the jade slip at him.

    Gao Ba Dou darted higher, but Ji Yaoge stood silently, staring at him until he felt uneasy.

    "Don¡¯t be mad... This is a rare method, with strong spiritual fluctuations, but it¡¯s sealed by powerful restrictions. I couldn''t ess its true content. In 3,600 years, it''s the only method I couldn¡¯t absorb."

    Ji Yaoge couldn¡¯t tell if he was lying or not.

 Vol. 1 - Chapter 11 - Ying Shuang

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 Vol. 1 - Chapter 12 - Three Trials

    Very quickly, Ji Yaoge understood why both Jiao Tao and Ye Long had such expressions when Yue Xiao assigned her to handle the misceneous tasks for the music team.

    The Twelve Celestial Demons Dance had an apanying music team. Besides small instruments like flutes, zithers, and lutes, it includedrge instruments such as the konghou, bianqing, and thunder drums. Ji Yaoge¡¯s job was to move these instruments from the music hall to the dance hall every day and return them after practice. She also had to run errands for the musicians and dancers.

    Therge instruments were heavy, and with Ji Yaoge¡¯s limited cultivation, handling them was physically exhausting. By the end of the day, her arms and shoulders were sore. Walking back to her cave under the starlit sky, Chi Xiu Pce was silent, with only the sounds of nocturnal creatures and the rustling wind.

    The restriction outside her cave was untouched. After a quick nce, she went inside.

    Sitting cross-legged on her stone bed, she opened the jade tube and released Gao Ba Dou. Gao Ba Dou had been confined in the tube all day nowying limp on the ground, unresponsive even to Ji Yaoge¡¯s calls. Ji Yaoge had no way to deal with him and closed her eyes to rest, though her mind was unsettled.

    ording to Bai Yan¡¯s information, Ren Zhongping was very likely the one who attempted to kill "Ji Yaoge." Today, when she asked Jiao Tao, it was confirmed that Ren Zhongping was indeed Ye Long''s closepanion. Ye Long practiced the Nanming Hehuan Technique, which required a suitable male cultivator as a partner. Ren Zhongping had been with her for five years.

    Now, she wondered if Ye Long was involved in this matter.

    "Sha Shu Lian Yin... what kind of technique is this?" As she pondered, Ji Yaoge couldn¡¯t help but mutter aloud.

    "Lian Yin Technique?" Gao Ba Dou, lying limp on the ground, suddenly flew up.

    Ji Yaoge hadn¡¯t mentioned the dark arts to him before. Seeing his reaction, she thought that with his vast knowledge, he might know something. "Do you know this technique?"

    "Of course, I know it!" Gao Ba Dou¡¯s antennae twitched, his small eyes shing with anger. "Lian Yin Technique is a demonic art from the ghost realm, using the devouring of cultivators¡¯ three souls and seven spirits as a means of cultivation, creating corpse puppets as weapons. It¡¯s an extremely sinister art. I almost fell victim to it once." Remembering the incident, Gao Ba Dou''s body shivered. It was one of the most dangerous encounters in his 3,600 years of cultivation.

    The ghost realm is located in the Northwest Ming Sha Sea, a stronghold of demonic cultivators. After the great battle between good and evil ten thousand years ago, people from the ghost realm vanished from Wan Hua. How could ghost realm techniques appear in Chi Xiu Pce now?

    Ji Yaoge couldn¡¯t understand. Gao Ba Dou continued, "Two thousand years ago, I wandered into the Ming Sha Sea and was captured by the old demon Xiao Wuheng. He intended to devour my soul and refine me into a puppet, but I escaped. The most insidious part of this technique is that the practitioner nourishes a talisman with blood, imnts it into a living sacrifice, and forces the sacrifice to gather souls for cultivation, multiplying their power."

    "So, you mean Ren Zhongping could be a living sacrifice gathering souls for someone?" Ji Yaoge asked. If he was a living sacrifice, it would exin how he could hide his aura within Chi Xiu Pce despite his low cultivation. He must have a powerful backer.

    "Possibly." Gao Ba Dou rarely looked so serious.

    "Is there a way to confirm if Ren Zhongping is a living sacrifice?" Ji Yaoge asked.

    "If he is, his primordial spirit will have a demonic talisman. I can test it." Gao Ba Dou¡¯s tail lifted, the antennae stiffening like steel needles.

    Ji Yaoge fell silent, pondering. Gao Ba Dou, crawling around her bare cave, grumbled, "This ce is so shabby it hurts my heart. Did I follow a short-lived ghost?" Seeing she ignored him, he climbed to the doorframe and said, "You should look at that technique book. Even if it''s a seductive art, it might help you find a backer."

    She nced at him. "Someone mighte spying tonight. Stay alert."

    Gao Ba Dou realized she was using him as a watchdog. He was about to retort but saw her casually take out the jade slip, making him hold his tongue.

    Ji Yaoge took out the jade slip out of curiosity. She couldn''t practice any techniques at the moment, and this jade slip was her only possession. Yesterday, she only nced at it briefly. Today, she took a closer look and noticed shallow carvings on the gray jade, forming aplete picture. It was palm-sized and seemed to depict a scene.

    Besides that, there was nothing special. Gao Ba Dou imed it had strong spiritual energy but was sealed with restrictions, yet she felt nothing. She slowly injected her spiritual sense into the jade slip.

    In the cultivation world, secret techniques weren¡¯t inscribed in books but embedded in various materials,monly spirit jade, forming jade slips. The content wasn¡¯t visible to the naked eye and required spiritual sense to read. The more powerful the technique, the more effort it took. Some high-level cultivators added restrictions to prevent theft.

    If Gao Ba Dou was truthful, this jade slip with restrictions was extraordinary.

    As she thought, an old book materialized in her mind, unchanged from her previous view¡ªthe vulgar woman andrge red characters on the cover. She resisted her distaste and turned the page. Her spiritual sense triggered movement, and the woman on the cover sprang to life, transforming into a seductive beauty. The scene shifted, and Ji Yaoge found herself elsewhere.

    An illusory mansion appeared, with incense smoke curling, soft curtains billowing, and two entwined figures behind them, their whispers filling the air like silk and bamboo music.

    Ji Yaoge blushed and turned away, cursing Gao Ba Dou inwardly. Yet, she couldn''t help but be amazed. This jade slip could create an illusory realm, pulling her primordial spirit into it, proving Gao Ba Dou''s words. Creating such a realm required a Transformation stage cultivator, and this was just a jade slip?

    Thinking this, she gritted her teeth and looked again. A fair wrist reached out from behind the curtain, her heart skipping a beat. An instantter, a darker hand grasped the woman¡¯s hand tightly, their fingers intertwined. The scene became more intense, the curtain nearly tearing. Ji Yaoge focused on their hands, feeling the emotional connection. She didn¡¯t understand such intimacy but found it more captivating than the overt disy.

    The two figures performed for a long time without eliciting a reaction from Ji Yaoge. They suddenly released hands, threw open the curtain, their voices changing from moans toughter, a man and woman, with deep and seductive voices. They approached Ji Yaoge, standing beside her. Ji Yaoge met their gaze, clear-eyed.

    "You¡¯re not interested in us?" the woman spoke, her lips curling.

    "Interesting. It¡¯s been a while since we¡¯ve seen someone like this," the man said, brushing Ji Yaoge¡¯s cheek with his finger.

    Ji Yaoge stood still. "Where is this ce?"

    The woman¡¯sughter was like silver bells. "This is a ce of ecstasy. Once you enter, you can¡¯t leave." She moved to the man¡¯s side, their forms merging into one, bing a in-faced woman.

    The scene changed again.

    ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª

    The sound of the konghou pierced the morning tranquility. The waterfall at Wan Ren Mountain¡¯s Seven-Tiered Pond cascaded through its tiers, creating star-like sshes in the sunlight.

    The cold spray cleared her mind.

    Ji Yaoge opened her eyes, finding herself sitting cross-legged on a stone cliff by the pond, as she had every morning for two hundred years, meditating. Every inch of the scenery, every breath of air, was familiar and safe.

    Ssh¡ª

    Someone below sshed water, drawing her gaze to Baili Qing¡¯s yful smile.

    "Senior Sister, I grilled some fish. Come down and try it?" Baili Qing¡¯s upturned face was as straightforward and cheerful as ever.

    "Disturbing your Senior Sister''s cultivation again?" A gentle reprimand came from behind.

    Her heart trembled as she turned slowly.

    In the morning light, Gu Xingzhi¡¯s face was as clear as yesterday, his sword-like eyebrows and bright eyes filled with vigor, like a youth from a painting.

    "Cultivation is boring. I¡¯m finding some fun for my Senior Sister," Baili Qing said, waving the grilled fish, just like old times.

    Gu Xingzhi ignored her, turning to Ji Yaoge. "Your injuries aren¡¯t healed. Why are you cultivating here?"

    "Injuries?" she murmured.

    "The wounds from the Skeleton Cave," he said, his warm hand brushing her hair.

    "Senior Brother is waiting for you to heal so he can hold the dual cultivation ceremony with you!" Baili Qing¡¯s voice echoed distantly, sounding unreal.

    The wounds from the Skeleton Cave?

    Ji Yaoge¡¯s gaze moved slowly over their faces¡ªyes, she was gravely injured by the Skeleton Beast and had been brought back to the sect by her Senior Brother three months ago. No betrayal, no body-snatching, no shattered core. She was still the exceptionally talented Bai Yun, and Baili Qing was still her junior sister.

    The deep-seated fear was just a nightmare.

    "I promised to be your dao partner on the day of the Three Dragons Convergence. Heal quickly," he said, stepping closer, his eyes shining with stars.

    Wan Ren Mountain had three peaks shrouded in mist, which dissipated every hundred years, forming dragon shapes converging above the main peak, known as the Three Dragons Convergence, a grand sight in the Wan Hua Immortal World.

    In one of his rare romantic moments, Gu Xingzhi had promised her.

    In the ancestral hall, he vowed to marry Bai Yun on the day of the Three Dragons Convergence.

    Though she was by nature indifferent to worldly matters, she had looked forward to that day, her heart fluttering at his words. She knew the feeling of being moved, like the first stroke of vivid color on white paper¡­

    But now, she was calm.

    "Senior Brother, I¡¯m sorry," she said after a long silence.

    "Why apologize?" He looked confused.

    "Because¡­ I lost you," she closed her eyes, striking out suddenly.

    Without emotion, she was the soul-less Ji Yaoge, no longer Bai Yun.

    She had lost her Hidden Essence, no longer capable of love, no longer Bai Yun.

    Boom¡ªthe scene shattered into white mist, a hand pushing her from behind. Ji Yaoge stumbled out of the fog, the scenery changing again.

    A grand hall, cold and solemn, nked by statues of ferocious beasts, ready to devour. On the throne sat a figure in golden robes and a red crown, face obscured, voice harsh. "Rebellious disciple, confess your sins!"

    Ji Yaoge frowned, recognizing the figure despite the blurred face. It was her master, Wu Xiang Ancestor Xie Lengyue.

    "Master, what sin have Imitted?" she asked.

    "You have disgraced yourself by joining an evil sect, tainting yourself with filth, bringing shame to Wan Ren Mountain. How can you still call yourself my disciple?"

    Ji Yaoge defended herself. "Master, joining Mei Sect was a temporary measure. I have acted righteously and never shamed the sect. Why am I unworthy of being your disciple?"

    "As a member of Mei Sect, returning to Wan Ren Mountain would bring shame. As my direct disciple, you should have sacrificed yourself to preserve your reputation, not consorted with evil. Confess!"

    "I have done no wrong! It was Baili Qing who plotted against me. Why should I sacrifice my life for mere reputation? I don¡¯t understand. Cultivation is personal. Even within Mei Sect, as long as my will is strong, I walk the righteous path. What¡¯s the difference between right and wrong?" Ji Yaoge¡¯s voice was calm and firm.

    "Stubborn fool!" The figure on the throne mmed the armrest, a thunderous sound shaking the hall. "You¡¯ve joined an evil sect, your mortal body unfit for cultivation, and you show no remorse. You are no longer my disciple, not of the Wu Xiang Sect! To prevent you from bing a scourge, I will cleanse the sect today."

    With that, a hundred flying swords appeared in the figure¡¯s hand, attacking Ji Yaoge. She dodged, the attacks relentless. Looking at the open door, she saw misty mountains and clear skies, but a pair of eagle eyes seemed to watch her from afar.

    She turned back, evading another wave of attacks, and leaped towards the throne. The figure remained seated, a giant sword forming behind him, crackling with lightning. Her eyes widened as she conjured a ck dagger.

    "Right or wrong, it''s not for others to judge," she leaped up, raising the dagger. "Even my master cannot decide for me. How dare you, a mere illusion, speak so brazenly!"

    Lightning shed, the dagger glinting as it struck the illusion¡¯s chest. Blood sprayed, and she turned her face away.

    A woman¡¯sughter echoed from outside. "What a ruthless girl, daring to kill her master!"

    "I didn¡¯t. That¡¯s not my master!" Ji Yaoge pulled out the dagger, ring around as the scene dissolved into mist.

    A figure stepped through the fog, appearing before her.

    It was the in-faced woman from before.

    "Even if it¡¯s not your master, you were ruthless," the woman smiled. "Interesting, you act righteously but with a touch of wickedness."

    "Are you probing my mind?" Ji Yaoge¡¯s anger red, killing intent surging.

    No cultivator liked their mind being probed.

    "My mind? Haha¡­" The womanughed loudly. "This isn¡¯t your past. It¡¯s your heart¡¯s desires, fears, and thoughts."

    Ji Yaoge clenched her fists. The woman wasn¡¯t wrong. Being Bai Yun again, without betrayal, was her desire. Dual cultivation with her Senior Brother was her hope. Being rejected by her master for joining Mei Sect was her fear. It all stemmed from her thoughts. She wanted to live.

    "What is this ce?"

    "This is your consciousness. Haha, it¡¯s been a while since I¡¯ve met someone so interesting. A wed mortal body missing one soul, how fitting," the woman still smiled. "You have no choice, and neither do I."

    As she spoke, the old book reappeared before Ji Yaoge.

    "You¡¯ve passed three trials. You deserve to see this."

    With a casual gesture, the vulgar woman and gaudy characters faded, revealing elegant script.

    "M¨¨i G¨³ (Cultivating the Beauty)?" Ji Yaoge read the two words on the cover.

    "Yes, ¡®Cultivating the Beauty,¡¯ also known as ¡®M¨¨i G¨³ Technique,¡¯ an ancient branch of mental arts. You think I¡¯m probing your mind, but this is just the entry-level of M¨¨i G¨³ Technique, understanding your desires, fears, and thoughts. This is the essence of mental arts," the woman exined, her voice soothing.

    Ji Yaoge¡¯s rage from killing her master vanished.

    "Seduction can be physical, which is base; through beauty, which is superficial; through the mind, which is profound; and through the soul, which is unparalleled. M¨¨i G¨³ Technique, devouring souls, achieves supreme mental arts."

    "Devouring souls?"

    "Yes, devouring souls. All beings have soul bones formed at death, embodying their life¡¯s experiences and emotions. Devouring countless souls, feeling their emotions, youck the Hidden Essence. Using myriad emotions to forge a seductive soul, you be the embodiment of desire, manipting hearts effortlessly. Will you try?"

 Vol. 1 - Chapter 13 - Spirit Beasts

    The path of immortality is long, and cultivators often seek to clear their minds and focus on a single path, fearing that worldly emotions could disrupt their focus. Even Dao partners, who cultivate together, strive to "keep" their hearts steady over the long years. Ji Yaoge had never heard of such an unconventional cultivation method.

    She had heard of the path of Absolute Emotion and the path of No Emotion, as well as cultivating through the sword or through music, but never through the path of Emotion.

    "Do you know who created this M¨¨i G¨³ Technique?" the woman asked gently, seeing Ji Yaoge lost in thought.

    "I don¡¯t know," Ji Yaoge replied.

    "This technique was created by a supreme being countless years ago. His name is known by everyone in the world." She turned her face away, looking into the misty light. "The Buddhist cultivator Qing Jia."

    Ji Yaoge was stunned. "How could it be Master Qing Jia?" The name Qing Jia was known throughout Wan Hua. He was one of the Three Ancients, with his portrait enshrined in major sects. But what surprised her wasn¡¯t this, but the fact that Qing Jia was a Buddhist cultivator. How could he cultivate through emotion?

    "You find it hard to believe that a Buddhist cultivator could be involved in emotions?" The woman smiled, reading her thoughts. "In his early years, Master Qing Jia was harmed by an evil cultivator. Not only did he lose his cultivation, but he was also forced into the demon sect of M¨¨i Z¨­ng. This technique was his realization of greatpassion while in despair. Cultivators cultivate both body and mind. If the mind is not enlightened, how can one talk of cultivation? Both worldly and otherworldly cultivation are paths. Emotions exist in the world; only by experiencing them can one understand them deeply and no longer fear them."

    Her words summed up to one sentence.

    "Using emotion to enter emotionlessness, establishing an invincible heart," Ji Yaoge pondered.

    The woman nodded slowly. "Exactly."

    "If this technique was created by Master Qing Jia and is so special, why hasn¡¯t it been passed down, ending up here?" Ji Yaoge asked.

    "This technique is the source of mental arts. Master Qing Jia did teach it to his disciples, but the technique is very dangerous. Those with weak hearts are easily disturbed by external emotions and fall into demonic paths. Moreover, people with impure hearts seek shortcuts, viewing this technique as a seductive art, using it to enchant male and female cultivators, treating them as cauldrons. Of the two disciples who learned it, one fell into the demonic path, and the other misled the world. Later, Master Qing Jia sealed the technique himself, no longer passing it on. Over countless years, it has faded from memory. People only know of seductive arts, but not the ancient source of mental arts."

    "Then why choose me?" Ji Yaoge asked.

    "Because I have no choice, and neither do you. Your situation is very simr to Master Qing Jia''s back then. My time is running out. If I don¡¯t find a sessor, this technique will disappear with me. I can¡¯t bear that." She sighed, her smile tinged with the loneliness of countless years. "You havepassion but also hold a de. You stand on the path of immortality but are not bound by conventions. You remember your sect''s teachings but have your own principles for surviving and cultivating. These contradictions make you suitable. I don¡¯t need a pedantic gentleman, nor a heartless viin. You are just right, with your bnce of good and evil, and missing the Hidden Essence. I look forward to seeing your future performance."

    "Who are you?" Ji Yaoge stared intently at the woman.

    "I am not a person... I am the spirit of this technique. That bookworm may be foolish, but it wasn¡¯t wrong in saying that books have spiritual essence. I am the essence of this technique." She had existed for too long, with her spiritual essence nearly exhausted.

    "But I can hardly absorb spiritual energy. How can I cultivate?" Ji Yaoge asked again.

    The pages of the book in front of her flipped to a certain page, and the woman¡¯s voice followed. "Your meridians are blocked, and your body is filled with chaotic energy, making it difficult to absorb spiritual energy. However, spiritual energy is not the only way to cultivate. I will first teach you a mantra to help you achieve spiritual enlightenment. To cultivate this technique, you must first achieve spiritual enlightenment, allowing you to see the spiritual bones of the deceased. Every living being has spiritual bones, the stronger the being, the stronger the spiritual bones. nts and animals, experiencing life and death in countless cycles, also have spiritual bones, though they are chaotic. You can absorb them just like spiritual energy."

    She paused, observing Ji Yaoge¡¯s expression, then continued, "Once you reach the Foundation Establishment stage and undergo spiritual rebirth, I will then teach you the technique."

    Ji Yaoge wanted to ask more, but a wave of dizziness hit her.

    "Your cultivation is too shallow. Your consciousness can¡¯tst long. Listen to the mantra I will teach you."

    As the woman spoke, Ji Yaoge¡¯s vision faded, leaving only the short mantra entering her ears, one sentence at a time.

    ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª

    Falling out of the void of her consciousness, the night hadn¡¯t yet passed. The room was lit by a faint pearl light. Gao Ba Dou was snoring on the door frame, his antennae and tails twitching as if dreaming. Ji Yaoge looked down at the dull jade slip in her hand, feeling like everything that had just happened was a ridiculous dream, except for the mantra, clearly imprinted in her mind.

    Cultivation without absorbing spiritual energy...

    She was interested.

    Humans have three souls and seven spirits, forming the soul sea, returning to the primordial spirit. All living things have cycles of life and death, with spiritual bones. Absorbing these bones into the soul sea, they transform into spiritual energy, cleansing the body and nourishing the primordial spirit.

    Normally, cultivators absorb spiritual energy from heaven and earth into their dantian, then circte it throughout their body. Spiritual bones, however, gather in the brow¡¯s soul sea. Spiritual enlightenment means using the soul to see what normal eyes cannot.

    First, she needed to calm her mind and concentrate, a fundamental skill she had practiced diligently for two hundred years. Quickly entering a state of forgetfulness, she clearly visualized her body¡¯s meridians and bones. Instead of forcing herself to absorb spiritual energy, she followed the natural flow of her chaotic energy, focusing her primordial spirit in her brow.

    Although her bodycked cultivation, her primordial spirit had two hundred years of refinement, easily controlled. Concentrating, she drew her two souls and seven spirits into her consciousness, seeing a vortex like a neb, the soul sea.

    Repeating this process three times, she opened her eyes.

    The room was the same but filled with tiny specks of light, the spiritual bones of insects and mites, barely noticeable.

    She reached out, and the specks were drawn to her, entering her soul sea. She felt a cool sensation at her brow, like water droplets, then nothing.

    Though a small change, she felt it, akin to her first experience of absorbing spiritual energy, new and joyful.

    Ji Yaoge smiled slightly, opened the door, and flew out. The morning light was bright. Gao Ba Dou, awakened by the noise, blinked his small eyes before shouting, "Wait for me!" and vanished in a sh of gold.

    ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª

    In early summer, the grass and trees were lush, animals and birds active, the mountains full of life.

    Looking out, Ji Yaoge saw specks of light floating everywhere, her smile widening. nts, trees, insects, fish, birds, and beasts, all living things had spiritual bones, experiencing cycles of life and death constantly. The light specks were their spiritual bones.

    Overjoyed, she found a secluded spot, sat cross-legged, and concentrated again.

    The spiritual bones in the mountains seemed to be summoned, slowly and steadily flying towards her, entering her brow.

    She sat for two days and nights.

    Until Bai Yan found her.

    "Senior Sister?"

    Ji Yaoge opened her eyes to see Bai Yan¡¯s anxious face.

    "You¡¯ve been missing for two days and nights, just sitting here meditating?" Bai Yan¡¯s handsome brows nearly knitted together.

    "Why are you so worried?" She jumped down from a rock covered in vines, her eyes clear as she looked at him.

    Bai Yan saw his reflection in her clear eyes. "How could I not be? You disappeared without a word for so long. I thought you might have been attacked..." He poked her forehead with a finger. "You¡¯re so infuriating, Senior Sister..."

    Unexpectedly, Ji Yaoge grabbed his hand, smiling. "Junior Brother Bai Yan, were you worried about me?"

    Bai Yan was stunned.

    Senior Sister seemed different today.

    She was still the same person, but her eyes were clear, filled with childlike curiosity.

    ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª

    From the back mountain to Chi Xiu Pce¡¯s dance hall, Bai Yan¡¯s eyes never left Ji Yaoge. Along the way, Ji Yaoge held his hand, her initiative surprising him. In just a few days, her mood swings were baffling.

    Ji Yaoge was also baffled. After absorbing spiritual bones for two days and nights, her emotions seemed uncontroble, filled with an intense primal curiosity. She knew her behavior was inappropriate but couldn¡¯t suppress her overflowing emotions, eager to explore everything around her.

    She expressed these emotions openly, holding Bai Yan¡¯s hand and asking constantly.

    "What are they doing?"

    "Senior Sister... enough, stop asking." Bai Yan finally couldn¡¯t take it when she pointed to two people practicing the Hehuan Technique in a flower field.

    Ji Yaoge¡¯s clear eyes remained on the figures in the shadows. Bai Yan cupped her face, turning her gaze away. Though this was Mei Sect andmon, hearing such questions from her made him feel a rare sense of shame.

    Those eyes were so pure, reflecting all his ws.

    "Be good, you¡¯ll understand these thingster." He had no way to exin.

    "I know what they¡¯re doing..." Ji Yaoge struggled to find the right words. "They¡¯re... reproducing."

    "Pfft!" Bai Yan couldn¡¯t help butugh.

    "Like moths mating, tigers and wolves pairing, nts pollinating..." Strange images shed in her mind, words flowing out.

    Bai Yan covered her mouth, his face red. "Please, stop." He pulled her hand. "Hurry to the dance hall. You¡¯ve been missing for two days and nights. Senior Sister Yue Xiao is furious. If you don¡¯t go, you¡¯ll be punished."

    This Senior Sister was too much to handle.

 Vol. 1 - Chapter 14 - Upgrade

    The sound of silk and bamboo ceased, and the dance hall was filled with people. Ji Yaoge looked around and saw only a room full of soft, colorful gauze. The female cultivators practicing the Celestial-Demon Dance wore twelve-colored flying skirts, baring their shoulders, waists, and legs, standing barefoot. Each one was a beautiful woman with a graceful figure.

    It was like... a flock of peacocks disying their feathers.

    This was the only description Ji Yaoge could think of.

    "Senior Sister Yue Xiao, Senior Sister Ji is here."

    Bai Yan called out, and the crowd parted, revealing Jiao Tao, who was enduring Yue Xiao¡¯s wrath. Yue Xiao scolded Jiao Tao but only nced briefly at Ji Yaoge, sneering, "You said Junior Sister Ji''s injuries hadn¡¯t healed. Maybe it¡¯s better if she doesn''t trouble herself. From now on, you will take over her duties."

    Though speaking to Jiao Tao, Yue Xiao''s gaze was fixed on Ji Yaoge. To cover for Ji Yaoge¡¯s absence, Jiao Tao had lied about Ji Yaoge''s injuries and had Bai Yan help with the music hall duties. Despite two days of cover-up, Yue Xiao had discovered the truth. Already hostile towards Ji Yaoge, Yue Xiao now seized the opportunity.

    "No, Senior Sister Yue Xiao..." Jiao Tao anxiously pleaded.

    Being sent to the music hall was secondary; the key issue was that she wouldn¡¯t be able to practice the Celestial-Demon Dance. As a low-level cultivator in Mei Sect, it was rare to ess powerful techniques, and missing this chance meant another might nevere. Jiao Tao had eagerly awaited this opportunity and was unwilling to give it up.

    The joyful expression Jiao Tao had when she learned she could practice the dance was still fresh in Ji Yaoge''s memory. Feeling guilty, Ji Yaoge said, "Senior Sister Yue Xiao, it was my negligence that caused the dy in the music hall duties. It has nothing to do with Senior Sister Jiao Tao. If there¡¯s punishment, I¡¯ll bear it alone."

    As soon as she finished, Jiao Tao tugged at her dress, signaling her to stay quiet.

    "Bear it alone? It¡¯s easy to say that. Those musical instruments are valuable treasures. If they were lost, how would you bear the responsibility? You failed at your duties, and she covered it up. Both of you are at fault!" Yue Xiao raised her head, scolding both of them sharply.

    Jiao Tao said, "Senior Sister, it¡¯s our fault. We¡¯ll ept any punishment, just please don¡¯t expel me from the dance hall."

    Yue Xiao lightly brushed her sleeve, looking at Jiao Tao. "What use are you in the dance hall? You can¡¯t even grasp a single step after three lessons. With such poor talent, why stay in the dance formation?"

    "I will work harder." Jiao Tao clenched her fists, pleading.

    "What¡¯s the use of hard work? Poor talent is poor talent. Staying will only harm yourself and others..." Yue Xiao''s gaze shifted to Ji Yaoge, mocking, "Some things are useless no matter how hard you try. Since you two are so close, and she wants to bear the punishment alone, why not both of you go to the music hall and keep each otherpany?"

    Jiao Tao was about to speak, but Ji Yaoge casually interjected, "It¡¯s just a mere illusionary dance. Why talk about talent?"

    This remark sparked whispers among the crowd, as no one expected her to retort. Jiao Tao froze, and it was toote to stop her.

    "Such arrogance!" Yue Xiao shook her sleeve and walked up to Ji Yaoge. "A mere illusionary dance? Do you know this dance was created by Madame herself? You, with your useless body, dare to speak so arrogantly?"

    "I¡¯ve seen mountain monkeys and paradise birds dance as courtship rituals. There¡¯s no difference," Ji Yaoge said, recalling countless fragmented images, speaking without thinking.

    The crowd burst intoughter. Jiao Tao pped her forehead, feeling that staying here was hopeless. She exchanged a helpless nce with Bai Yan, who rubbed his brow in frustration.

    "What did you say?" Yue Xiao couldn¡¯t believe her ears. She had heard all sorts of vulgarities in Mei Sect, but thisparison was unheard of. She was so angry she couldn¡¯t respond, staring at Ji Yaoge for a while before pointing at her nose. "You... youpared the Celestial-Demon Dance to animal mating?"

    Ji Yaoge was also silent. She couldn¡¯t control her words and actions today; her emotions were heavily affected.

    Impulse, irritability, directness¡ªthese weren¡¯t her original traits.

    Yue Xiao was furious, about to scold her, when someone approached,ughing, "Since Junior Sister Ji is so confident, why not give her a chance, Yue Xiao?"

    It was Ren Zhongping.

    "A chance? You want me to give her a chance?" Yue Xiao turned, nearly gritting her teeth.

    He whispered a few words in her ear, making the anger in Yue Xiao¡¯s eyes dissipate.

    "Since Zhongping asked, I¡¯ll give her a chance." Yue Xiao¡¯s lips curled. "Ji Yaoge, you have three days to learn this dance and perform it for me. If you fail, you¡¯ll be punished for disrespecting the sect and sent to serve hardbor on Qingyan Mountain for ten years. Do you agree?"

    "Yaoge!" Jiao Tao gasped.

    Qingyan Mountain was treacherous and thebor intense. It was meant for disciples whomitted serious offenses. Someone like Ji Yaoge, without cultivation, wouldn¡¯t survive five years, let alone ten.

    "What if I seed?" Ji Yaoge ignored Jiao Tao¡¯s warning.

    "If you seed, I¡¯ll teach you the Five-tone String Technique," Yue Xiao said decisively. The Five-tone String Technique was Yue Xiao¡¯s renowned skill, even feared by Ye Long. It ranked in the top five techniques of Chi Xiu Pce.

    "Alright, it¡¯s a deal." Ji Yaoge raised her hand.

    Yue Xiao responded coldly.

    p¡ª

    Their palms struck heavily.

    Jiao Tao felt like she was going mad, and Bai Yan rubbed his brow in frustration.

    ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª

    After themotion, Yue Xiao left. The sound of silk and bamboo resumed, and the crowd returned to their practice. Ji Yaoge, however, had no interest in watching them dance. She was filled with doubts and urgently sought answers. Jiao Tao and Bai Yan chased her out of the hall, stopping her.

    "Yaoge!" Jiao Tao said anxiously. "You agreed to the three-day challenge. If you don''t stay to practice, where are you going?"

    "I have urgent matters. I won¡¯t be practicing today. Please help me with the music hall duties for another day," Ji Yaoge said, suppressing her turbulent emotions.

    "But..." Jiao Tao tried to persuade her, but Ji Yaoge held her shoulder.

    "Don¡¯t worry. I know what I¡¯m doing," Ji Yaoge reassured, looking at Bai Yan.

    Bai Yan understood her gaze, speaking lightly, "Alright, I''ll cover for you. Go ahead."

    "Thank you." Ji Yaoge quickly thanked him and ran off.

    ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª

    Racing back to her cave, she shut the door tightly, sitting cross-legged as fast as she could. Taking out the jade slip, she focused her mind, and in a sh, she was back in the illusory realm.

    This time, she found herself on a windy cliff. The in-faced woman stood at the peak, her robe fluttering like butterflies.

    Ji Yaoge wasted no time, recounting the strange events of the day, ending with, "Why did my personality change? Is it rted to this technique?"

    The woman patiently listened, then calmly said, "What do you think your changed personality resembles?"

    Ji Yaoge thought back to the day¡¯s events, feeling curious, innocent, gentle, but also irritable, impulsive, and asionally violent. After a moment, she said, "It feels like... the insects, birds, fish, and nts of the mountains."

    The sensation was indescribable.

    "Good insight," the woman smiled, pointing down the mountain. "Look at the mountains. You see only lush vegetation, but it''s teeming with insects, birds, and animals. Some are living, some are dying, in an endless cycle. Insects have short lives, like mayflies, living only for a day. To them, the world is chaotic and mysterious. Beasts, though long-lived, live by survival of the fittest, filled with violence and impulse. nts are gentle, nurturing spiritual energy. Young beasts are innocent, birds curious, all driven by survival and reproduction. Your feelings are correct. They¡¯re the bacsh from the unrefined spiritual bones you absorbed."

    "Bacsh?" Ji Yaoge felt a surge of impatience. "How do I fix it?"

    Starting cultivation and already facing bacsh?

    "Don¡¯t rush. I told you before, this technique easily leads to deviation, and the cause is bacsh. You need to know that you¡¯re absorbing the obsessions of living beings. If you don¡¯t refine them in time, they affect your personality. Now it¡¯s just insects and nts, but soon you¡¯ll absorb cultivators'' spiritual bones. These cultivators have survived countless trials, their obsessions deep. Absorbing their spiritual bones, you experience their lives whilebating their obsessions. If you can ovee them, you¡¯ll be fine. If not, you¡¯ll be influenced, developing inner demons. That¡¯s why cultivators need a firm will. Your situation today surprises me," the woman sighed, possibly recalling Qing Jia''s disciple who fell into deviation.

    "What¡¯s wrong with me?"

    "Your missing soul leaves your soul sea iplete, making you highly reactive to external spiritual bones. You urgently need spiritual bones to fill the missing soul, so you absorb them ten times faster than others. Though you only cultivated for two days, you¡¯ve absorbed more than you can handle, causing a sudden impact on your primordial spirit and soul sea. Though they are low-intelligence spiritual bones, they still affect you." The woman floated into the air, fingers forming a seal, her brow showingpassion. "I overlooked this. Don¡¯t worry. I¡¯ll teach you the second chapter of M¨¨i G¨³, the Three Pure Lotus Mantra. It will calm your mind and protect you from distractions. In your current state, absorb spiritual bones one day, cultivate the next. Now, sit down."

    Ji Yaoge nodded, flying to the cliff and forming a Tai Chi seal.

    The woman''s gentle voice echoed in her ears, carrying a trace of Buddhist chant, profound and thought-provoking. Following the mantra, Ji Yaoge felt the chaotic emotions in her mind and heart gradually dissipate, falling into unprecedented tranquility. She didn¡¯t even notice when she exited the illusory realm, continuing to practice the Three Pure Lotus Mantra.

    After three cycles, she opened her eyes, feeling refreshed. The troubling emotions were gone, the sounds of birds outside her closed cave clear and bright.

    She was delighted¡ªher cultivation had advanced from Qi Refinement Level 3 to Level 4.

    Stretching, Ji Yaoge happily got out of bed, thinking of how to handle Yue Xiao¡¯s challenge. She stuffed the still-sleeping Gao Ba Dou into the jade tube, preparing to leave.

    But as she opened the door, she bumped into someone standing outside.

    "Senior Sister Ye Long," Ji Yaoge said, surprised.

    Ye Long¡¯s slender figure cast a shadow in the morning light. She stepped back, speaking gently, "Junior Sister Ji."

    "Did you need to see me?" Ji Yaoge invited her in.

    Ye Long declined with a wave, saying, "I heard about Yue Xiao troubling you yesterday. You¡¯re quite brave."

    Remembering the previous day and the nonsense she had said, Ji Yaoge¡¯s face heated up. "It wasn¡¯t really trouble. I made the mistake and angered Senior Sister Yue Xiao. I should bear the consequences."

    Ye Long smiled. "You were wrong, but I know Yue Xiao. She doesn¡¯t forgive easily, especially when it¡¯s you."

    "Senior Sister, I¡¯ve always wondered, as a low-level cultivator, I have no dealings with Senior Sister Yue Xiao. Why does she target me?" Ji Yaoge asked.

    "Want to know? Come with me." Ye Long turned and walked ahead.

    "Where are we going?" Ji Yaoge quickly followed.

    "Come with me. I¡¯ll teach you the Celestial-Demon Dance," Ye Long said without looking back.

    Ji Yaoge was stunned. "Senior Sister, you¡¯ll teach me the dance?"

    Ye Long, with her strong and elegant demeanor, didn¡¯t seem like someone who would know the seductive dance Yue Xiao practiced.

    Ye Long stopped, raising her hand to knock Ji Yaoge¡¯s head, but then lightly tapped it,ughing. "Why? Don¡¯t I look like I can dance? Do you know who taught Yue Xiao the dance?"

    "Was it you, Senior Sister?" Ji Yaoge rubbed her head, guessing.

    Ye Long smiled, not denying it. "Come on. No more talking."

    Ji Yaoge could only follow quickly.

 Vol. 1 - Chapter 15 - High Dance

    Chapter 15 High Dance

    Ye Long took Ji Yaoge to her cave. As the senior disciple of Chi Xiu Pce, her cave wasn¡¯t as luxurious as Lady Ying Shuang¡¯s. The outside was a small peach grove next to a tiny spring-fed clear pond. The environment was serene and rich in spiritual energy, making it one of the best cultivation spots in the Twin Glow Valley.

    It was already summer, and the peach blossoms had faded, leaving branches heavy with peaches. Dew from the night still clung to them, making the peaches look even more plump and juicy. Ji Yaoge couldn¡¯t help but steal a few more nces, swallowing secretly¡ªthe beast''s spiritual bone had altered her temperament subtly and she couldn¡¯tpletely eradicate the changes, only control them.

    ¡°Are you craving them?¡± Ye Long saw through her at a nce.

    Ji Yaoge smiled awkwardly. At over two hundred years old and having abstained from food for many years, she now felt like a child, which embarrassed her greatly.

    ¡°I¡¯ll have someone pick some for youter,¡± Ye Long said gently, looking at the peaches on the branches.

    ¡°Thank you, Senior Sister,¡± Ji Yaoge thanked her.

    ¡°They¡¯re just a few peaches. No need to be so polite if you like them,¡± Ye Long waved her hand and stepped out of the peach grove.

    ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª

    As they reached Ye Long¡¯s cave, they saw Ren Zhongping under the spring. He wore a moon-white wide-sleeved robe, his long hair half tied, with a clear beauty mark on his forehead, exuding an aura of otherworldly elegance. However, Ye Long¡¯s gaze suddenly turned cold.

    ¡°Senior Sister,¡± Ren Zhongping bowed respectfully to Ye Long.

    Ji Yaoge found it strange. Everyone in the sect said Ren Zhongping was Ye Long¡¯s close confidant, so they should have been closer than others. But it seemed they weren¡¯t intimate, and Ren Zhongping was quite respectful, even afraid of Ye Long.

    ¡°What are you doing here?¡± Ye Long stroked the handle of her curved de, not returning the salute.

    Ren Zhongping didn¡¯t look at Ji Yaoge, remaining bowed. ¡°I came to apologize to Senior Sister.¡±

    ¡°For what?¡± Ye Long looked down at him, devoid of gentleness.

    ¡°For what happened to Junior Sister Ji. It was my fault. Senior Sister Yue Xiao has a proud and wild nature. If she didn¡¯t vent her anger, I feared Junior Sister Ji¡¯s days would be even harder, so I took this desperate measure. I hope Senior Sister can forgive me,¡± Ren Zhongping said calmly.

    ¡°Oh? Even punishing her with hardbor was just a temporary measure of yours?¡± Ye Long showed no sign of softening.

    ¡°It was my oversight,¡± Ren Zhongping maintained his bow.

    Ji Yaoge stayed silent, guessing that Ren Zhongping knew Ye Long intended to protect her, so he came to confess. She didn¡¯t speak, letting Ye Long handle it while quietly gripping the jade tube at her waist, gently removing the stopper¡­

    ¡°Zhongping, you¡¯ve been with me for years and should know I dislike those who are fickle and maniptive. If you want to follow Yue Xiao, I can make that happen. You don¡¯t need to please both sides and suffer this way,¡± Ye Long said, staring at his back with a piercing gaze. ¡°Although I need someone to practice the Southern Bright Technique with, it doesn¡¯t have to be you.¡±

    A murderous aura leaked out inadvertently,pletely different from her kind demeanor towards Ji Yaoge.

    ¡°Zhongping wouldn¡¯t dare. Zhongping is willing to follow Senior Sister,¡± Ren Zhongping trembled slightly, almost kneeling, the earlier elegance disappearingpletely.

    Ye Long raised her chin slightly. ¡°I¡¯ve given you a chance. Since you¡¯ve made your choice, don¡¯t forget today¡¯s words. If you offend again, it will be considered betrayal.¡± Her words were light but allowed no argument.

    Ren Zhongping didn¡¯t even dare to lift his head, only saying, ¡°I will remember Senior Sister¡¯s teaching.¡±

    ¡°Leave,¡± Ye Long said no more, leading Ji Yaoge to the cave.

    Ji Yaoge followed, ncing back repeatedly. Ren Zhongping didn¡¯t look at her once. Only after Ye Long was far away did he straighten up, expressionless, standing for a moment before pping his own neck. He quickly reached into his long hair, scratching as if stung by an insect.

    A faint golden light fell from his hair into the grass, like stars darting about, unnoticed, and flew into the jade tube on Ji Yaoge¡¯s skirt. She quickly reced the stopper.

    ¡°What are you looking at?¡± Ye Long turned back, the murderous aura gone.

    ¡°Senior Sister, it¡¯s not worth damaging your rtionship with Junior Brother Ren over my matter,¡± Ji Yaoge said, turning away.

    ¡°There¡¯s nothing worth or not worth. Besides, my warning wasn¡¯t entirely for you. He knows Yue Xiao and I don¡¯t get along, yet he keeps trying to please her and has done many things behind my back. I¡¯ve turned a blind eye, but he¡¯s gone too far,¡± Ye Long said, lifting the cave¡¯s restriction and leading Ji Yaoge in.

    ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª

    Ye Long¡¯s cave had three sections. The outermost was a reception area with stone tables and chairs, piles of wine jars, and a few vines growing from the walls, reflecting her carefree nature. The middle section was for practice, with nothing but two rows of weapon racks. The innermost was her private cultivation room, but Ji Yaoge only stopped at the practice area, not knowing what the inner room looked like.

    The floor of the stone chamber was painted with a crimson array, with a skylight overhead letting soft light fall in the center. The walls were carved with simple human figures with various expressions. After a few nces, Ji Yaoge felt the eyes of the figures seemed about to move.

    Ye Long had already walked to the weapon rack, her hands behind her back. ¡°Stand in the center of the array.¡±

    Ji Yaoge withdrew her gaze but didn¡¯t follow the instruction, instead asking, ¡°Senior Sister, you haven¡¯t told me why Senior Sister Yue Xiao always targets me.¡±

    Ye Long had just opened her mouth when Ji Yaoge continued, ¡°And there are so many disciples in the sect. Why do you, Senior Sister, pay special attention to me, with my mediocre talents, and protect me repeatedly?¡±

    This question has existed for a long time. The gap between her and Ye Long was vast, and they had no daily contact. Ye Long wasn¡¯t someone with an overflowing heart ofpassion, so why help her time and again?

    Ye Longughed softly. ¡°You¡¯re quite stubborn, relentless, just like her.¡± She looked at the light falling through the skylight, silent for a long time before speaking.

    ¡°Yue Xiao isn¡¯t targeting you; she¡¯s targeting me. And I help you not only because her trouble with you started because of me but also for another reason...¡± Ye Long leaned against the wall, drawing a purple double-headed shuttle from the weapon rack, ying with it as she spoke.

    ¡°Because of what?¡±

    ¡°Because you remind me of Yue Xiao.¡± Ye Long wasn¡¯t someone who talked much or liked to confide, but looking at Ji Yaoge¡¯s clear eyes, she suddenly felt like sharing.

    Ji Yaoge was surprised. ¡°I remind you of her?¡±

    Ye Long nodded, her figure shing as she suddenly appeared beside Ji Yaoge, her left hand around Ji Yaoge¡¯s waist, her right pressing her shoulder down, forcing Ji Yaoge to bend back.

    ¡°Your bones are too stiff. I¡¯ll help you loosen them before we start,¡± Ye Long said crisply, changing Ji Yaoge¡¯s posture rapidly while talking. ¡°Isn¡¯t it strange? Yue Xiao and I don¡¯t get along, yet I still care about her?¡±

    Ji Yaoge was about to say ¡°yes¡± when her left leg was lifted to shoulder height, standing like a golden rooster, her bones almost tearing apart. Ye Long continued, ¡°Yue Xiao and I entered the sect one after the other. We weren¡¯t Lady Ying Shuang¡¯s disciples then, just ordinary low-level cultivators like you.¡±

    They were about the same age. Ye Long, valuing loyalty, took great care of Yue Xiao, who called her Senior Sister. The sect¡¯s resources were limited, making cultivation for low-level disciples tough. They supported each other through countless nights, a hundred years passing in a sh.

    ¡°Yue Xiao was a lot like you when she first entered the sect. Not particrly beautiful, average in talent, struggling with cultivation, often bullied by senior disciples, much like your current situation. Seeing you reminds me of her. She, like you, neverined about the hardships. We were very close then. She even nted the peach grove outside during our fasting practice to satisfy my cravings,¡± Ye Long¡¯s tone was gentle, but her hands were firm, pressing Ji Yaoge to the ground. ¡°We cultivated together, hunted together, faced life-and-death situations together many times. Once, she almost lost her life saving me. Our bond was one of life and death.¡±

    Ji Yaoge once thought she had such a bond a few months ago.

    ¡°Later, we both became Lady Ying Shuang¡¯s disciples, and our situation in the sect improved. A batch of new disciples joined, including a junior named Xu Ting, a genius in seductive techniques, whose charm soon rivaled Yue Xiao¡¯s. Xu Ting was good at currying favor, approaching her for her status despite my warnings, which she ignored, resenting my advice. She fell for him, but Xu Ting secretly seduced outer sect female cultivators, using them as cauldrons. I had no evidence and feared he¡¯d use her as a cauldron once his cultivation improved. I lured him with the Southern Bright Harmony Technique, and he betrayed her for it. Since then, Yue Xiao thought I seduced Xu Ting and hated me.¡±

    Ye Long pressed Ji Yaoge¡¯s waist harder, making her cry out in pain. ¡°Bear with it. My story isn¡¯t finished.¡±

    ¡°What happened next?¡± Ji Yaoge gritted her teeth.

    ¡°Later, Xu Ting, who was up to no good, stole the Southern Bright Harmony Technique after entering my cave, leading to his deviation and death by my hands. Yue Xiao hated me even more. Over the years, she¡¯s tried to alienate anyone close to me, either drawing them to her side or making their lives difficult. Ren Zhongping is one she tried to win over.¡±

    ¡°What does all this have to do with me?¡± Ji Yaoge felt her whole body aching.

    ¡°We had no connection. Three years ago, at the Chi Xiu Pce Ceremony, I helped you when you were mocked, seeing you reminded me of her. Later, I secretly aided you a few times, but Yue Xiao noticed and thought I wanted to take you under my wing, so she started making things hard for you. If I help, she¡¯ll get worse. If I don¡¯t, your life will be hard. It¡¯s all because of me,¡± Ye Long said. If she hadn¡¯t intervened, Ji Yaoge might still be a low-level disciple with a smooth life.

    Ji Yaoge wasn¡¯t moved, her attention was on her body. ¡°Senior Sister, be gentler.¡±

    ¡°Useless. Get up!¡± Ye Long released her.

    Ye Long had used some spiritual power, leaving Ji Yaoge unable to resist, kneading her like dough. But standing up, Ji Yaoge felt refreshed, her bones stretched to the limit without injury, even nourished.

    ¡°Rest for a while,¡± Ye Long pushed her to the wall, then flew to stand in the array¡¯s center, bathed in skylight. ¡°I taught Yue Xiao the Celestial-Demon Dance. Though her talent was average, her perseverance was extraordinary. She closed herself off for three years to master it. You can¡¯t learn it in three days, but you can pick up enough to pass the trial.¡±

    She twisted her waist and raised a leg. ¡°Do you know the origin of this dance?¡±

    ¡°Lady Ying Shuang created it, I heard?¡± Ji Yaoge replied.

    Ye Longughed. ¡°Yes, but you weren¡¯t wrong either. It¡¯s indeed a courtship dance.¡±

    Ji Yaoge blushed, recalling herparison to monkeys.

    ¡°This dance originated from Lady Ying Shuang¡¯s bedchamber with the former pce master, initially to please him. Itter evolved into today¡¯s Twelve Celestial-Demon Dance. Don¡¯t underestimate it. Seductive dances are looked down upon, but many can¡¯t resist their power. Do you know why?¡±

    ¡°Because they attack the mind, their depth is immeasurable,¡± Ji Yaoge said.

    Ye Long gave an approving look. ¡°This dance, performed by twelve people, six celestials and six demons,bined with celestial-demon music, has 376 variations, directly attacking the mind. The higher the practitioner¡¯s cultivation, the more terrifying its effect. It¡¯s not a low-level technique. Moreover, the dance steps themselves are valuable, flexible and strong, perfect for female cultivators. If you master the steps and familiarize yourself with the dance, the seductive technique cer.¡±

    Ye Long taught earnestly, and Ji Yaoge learned diligently.

    After exining the dance¡¯s features, Ye Long¡¯s toes lightly touched the ground, her brows dancing, transforming as if into another person.

    ¡°This dance varies with the dancer¡¯s temperament. Watch my Celestial-Demon Dance and see how it differs from Yue Xiao¡¯s.¡±

    With that, Ye Long¡¯s long hair brushed her cheeks, her body leaping like a silver ribbon.

    Ji Yaoge watched intently, afraid to miss a step. Anyst bit of disdain for the seductive dance vanished, along with the superiority she felt from being from Wuxiang Sword Sect¡ªrealizing all techniques have value.

    Ye Long¡¯s dance was vigorous, every step and leap strong and elegant, blending softness and strength, filled with battle intent. Compared to Yue Xiao¡¯s seductive dance, Ye Long¡¯s was passionate and stirring, touching Ji Yaoge deeply.

    Her heart pounded like a war drum, resonating with Ye Long¡¯s steps, the rhythm thunderous. The battle intent surged like waves on a vast sea, magnificent and boundless. For the first time, Ji Yaoge felt her blood boil from a dance.

    She wanted to learn this dance not just to get by but to master itpletely. She was greedy, wanting more.

 Vol. 1 - Chapter 16 - The Demon

    Chapter 16: The Demon

    As the dance neared its end, Ye Long, who hadn¡¯t performed in a long time, danced passionately. The strings¡¯ high-pitched sounds were like the cries of phoenixes and cranes, swift as a downpour. She stepped quickly to the rhythm, leaping into the air, her figure transforming into twelve illusions, the Celestial and Demonic figuresughing drunkenly in mid-air.

    Ji Yaoge¡¯s heart surged, her eyes glued to the scene, wishing she could engrave each move into her mind. As Ye Long executed the final step, Ji Yaoge couldn¡¯t help but grip the spear on the weapon rack tightly.

    This was thest and most difficult move of the Celestial-Demon Dance. It consisted of twelve forms in one move, capable of creating twelve illusions in an instant. Hence, it was also called the Twelve Celestial-Demon Forms. When used inbat, it could both attack and defend, and with added spiritual power and techniques, it could evolve into countless possibilities.

    In just a few moments, Ji Yaoge imagined various ways she could have used this technique for offense and defense if she were still Bai Yun.

    Unfortunately, she was now Ji Yaoge, and this move was too difficult. It required not only speed but also a unity of mind and dance, demanding high mental fortitude. In the entire Chi Xiu Pce, only Pce Master Ying Shuang, Ye Long, and Yue Xiao had mastered it. Ye Long¡¯s mastery was a level above Yue Xiao¡¯s, as she could transform into twelve Celestial-Demon figures, while Yue Xiao could only create twelve basic illusions, a significant difference.

    "Did you watch carefully?" Ye Long flicked Ji Yaoge¡¯s forehead.

    Ji Yaoge,ing back to her senses at the sight of Ye Long¡¯s sweat-dappled smile, blurted out, "Senior Sister, teach me the Celestial-Demon Dance."

    Ye Long pinched her chin, "Aren¡¯t I teaching you?"

    "I mean, not just the superficial moves, but truly mastering it," Ji Yaoge said urgently.

    Ye Long looked at her meaningfully for a moment, then slowly nodded, "Alright."

    ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª

    Following Ye Long into the pir of light, she slowed down her movements, carefully breaking down each step for Ji Yaoge, as if teaching a novice. It seemed a bit overkill, but she was patient, even more meticulous.

    One taught earnestly, the other learned diligently, and time passed unnoticed. After demonstrating all the steps, dusk had fallen, and the cave was dimly lit. Their shadows faintly fell to the ground as Ye Long wiped sweat from her forehead, "That¡¯s it for today. Practice these steps well. Including today, you only have two days to memorize them. On the third day, I will teach you the Soul-Entrancing Technique. Without this, you can¡¯t pass Yue Xiao¡¯s trial. You need to reach at least the first level. Using the dance to convey your emotions to the audience. Eventually controlling their emotions and mind¡­ But that¡¯s forter. First, do as I said."

    Ji Yaoge memorized her words carefully.

    "Go back. Come to me early tomorrow. You don¡¯t have to worry about Yue Xiao¡¯s tasks. I¡¯ve informed her that you¡¯ll be staying with me for these few days." Ye Long waved her sleeve, and the double doors of the cave opened with a rumble.

    The night breeze brought a bit of coolness. Ji Yaoge, puzzled, said, "Won¡¯t Senior Sister Yue Xiao hate you even more for opposing her so openly?"

    "No matter. I want them to know you¡¯re under my protection. I¡¯ve tolerated Yue Xiao for decades, yet she keeps pushing. Since helping or not helping doesn¡¯t make a difference, let¡¯s see whose methods are superior." Ye Long raised an eyebrow, her gaze turning slightly wicked with an androgynous aura, "Don¡¯t worry. In Twin Glow Valley, I can protect anyone."

    Ji Yaoge¡¯s spirits lifted, "I won¡¯t let you down, Senior Sister."

    Ye Long chuckled, "You sound so proper and adorable, like those high-ranking cultivators. From now on, you¡¯re mine."

    Ji Yaoge blushed, recalling the rumors in the sect about Ye Long¡¯s indiscriminate preferences, suddenly embarrassed, "Senior Sister, I¡­ I¡­"

    Ye Longughed so hard she had to hold her forehead, "What are you thinking? Hurry back!"

    Ji Yaoge, extremely embarrassed, bowed quickly and ran off, leaving Ye Long leaning against the weapon rack, her smile fading as she watched Ji Yaoge¡¯s retreating figure, her gaze distant, and her lips curling into a bitter smile.

    ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª

    Returning to her cave at dusk, Ji Yaoge eagerly opened the jade tube at her waist.

    A golden light shot out, and Gao Badou flew into the air, asking, "Gao Badou, how is it?"

    Gao Badou¡¯s tentacles trembled, his voice annoyed, "I almost suffocated in your lousy tube, and all you do is boss me around. I¡¯m not your pet. Your attitude is problematic."

    Ji Yaoge poured a cup of water, politely pushing it to the opposite side of the table, "Thank you for your hard work, Gao Daoist." He ignored her, so she continued, "Gao Senior? Gao Brother? Gao¡­"

    Earlier, outside Ye Long¡¯s cave, Ji Yaoge had seen Ren Zhongping and seized the opportunity to secretly release Gao Badou. As a bug who had lived for 3,600 years, Gao Badou, though weak in cultivation, had excellent stealth abilities and easily climbed onto the mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator Ren Zhongping to use the Soul-Searching Art.

    Matters of life and death were urgent, so she needed answers immediately.

    Gao Badou flipped the cup back to Ji Yaoge, "I don¡¯t drink this. Next time, bring a book in exchange for information." Calming down, he added, "It¡¯s him."

    Those two words shocked Ji Yaoge. She slowly sat down, rubbing the cup Gao Badou had pushed back, asking, "Are you sure?"

    "Absolutely. I used my golden whiskers to probe, and his soul has indeed been marked with a curse symbol." Gao Badou said, sticking to the table, staring at Ji Yaoge with his small eyes, "There¡¯s an even more critical matter. The aura on that curse symbol is very familiar to me. If I¡¯m not mistaken, the one who marked Ren Zhongping is Xiao Wuheng."

    Mentioning this, Gao Badou¡¯s voice turned grave, and Ji Yaoge noticed a sh of hatred in his eyes.

    The name Xiao Wuheng wasn¡¯t unfamiliar to Ji Yaoge. In her former sect, Wuxiang Sect, the elders often mentioned him when talking about the Ghost Domain beyond the Ming Sha Sea. Xiao Wuheng was a legendary figure in the Ghost Domain for the past thousand years. A thousand years ago, he had incited a war between the two major sects of the Ghost Domain, causing it to be in chaos for nearly five hundred years. During this period, he established his own sect, Tianxiao, and eliminated his enemies. Now, a thousand yearster, the Ghost Domain is divided into the northern and southern regions, with Tianxiao Sect reigning supreme in the south, while the north is still under the control of the original major sect, Diyang, struggling to resist Xiao Wuheng.

    "The curse symbol is here, so the symbol master must be nearby. Xiao Wuheng is around," Gao Badou continued.

    Ji Yaoge was horrified. With the current standoff between the Ghost Domain and the Wan Hua cultivation world, even an ordinary demonic cultivator entering Wan Hua would cause suspicion in the Immortal Realm, let alone a figure like Xiao Wuheng.

    He hade to Tiyu State. This demon¡¯s cultivation level was at least in thete Nascent Soul stage, and with the many low-level cultivators in Tiyu State, if a battle broke out, the entire state could be destroyed. As for her¡­ even if she were still Bai Yun, she wouldn¡¯t be his match.

    "What is he doing in Wan Hua?" she muttered.

    Gao Badou was pondering the same question when arge face suddenly appeared in front of him, its dark pupils like a deep abyss, and a deep voice said, "Could it be he¡¯s here to catch you?" Gao Badou shivered, bouncing back and hitting the wall.

    Ji Yaoge looked up, "What are you afraid of? I was just guessing."

    Having been captured by Xiao Wuheng once, Gao Badou was terrified and disregarded his dignity, "Can you me me? If I fall into his hands again, I¡¯m dead! I say, pack your things and run. If that demon goes on a rampage, no one in Tiyu State can stop him."

    "Whether Xiao Wuheng is here or not is still uncertain. We can¡¯t jump to conclusions based on the aura of a curse symbol. Besides, Ren Zhongping is watching me. If I leave now, it will arouse suspicion. If Xiao Wuheng is behind this, I¡¯m dead either way." Ji Yaoge tapped her fingers on the table, calmly analyzing the situation, "The Soul-Searching Art requires living souls, and the higher the cultivation, the more useful the soul. Yet Ren Zhongping only captures low-level cultivators like me¡­ They probably don¡¯t want to make a bigmotion in Tiyu State, to avoid being discovered and surrounded by the major sects."

    She wasn¡¯t the first cultivator to have her soul taken. Low-level cultivators are easy to capture and unnoticed, and once turned into corpse puppets, their bodies disappear, leaving no trace. So, they must be hiding their tracks.

    "Besides, Tiyu State isn¡¯t without high-level cultivators."

    At least one might be present, Ji Yaoge thought, recalling the man with the single eye and spider pupil. His cultivation was unfathomable. He had once taken her to the Tiyu State Mountain Lord¡¯s cave, but she didn¡¯t know if he was still around.

    Gao Badou climbed down from the wall, about to speak when he suddenly changed his tone, "Someone¡¯sing."

    He had spread his aura around Ji Yaoge¡¯s cave, alerting them to any approach.

    Ji Yaoge made a silencing gesture. She had already noticed it too, as the restriction outside transmitted the scene to her mind.

    "It¡¯s Ren Zhongping," she whispered.

    Speak of the devil, and he shall appear.

    ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª

    The cave door opened, and Ji Yaoge held a life-saving talisman in her hand, ready to greet the visitor. Gao Badou had already hidden. The situation was unclear, and revealing the person¡¯s presence might provoke them into a killing spree, so they needed to remain discreet.

    "Junior Sister Ji, on Senior Sister Ye¡¯s orders, I¡¯ve brought you some peaches."

    Ren Zhongping stood at the door, arge basket of peaches from Ye Long¡¯s grove at his feet.

    "Thank you, Senior Brother Ren. Please convey my thanks to Senior Sister Ye. I¡¯ll thank her in person tomorrow," Ji Yaoge said, cupping her hands.

    Ren Zhongping, still in his wide-sleeved robe, wore an unreadable smile on his long face, "Won¡¯t you invite me in for a chat?"

    "My humble abode has no tea to offer, and it¡¯ste. I need to cultivate, so I won¡¯t keep you," Ji Yaoge replied.

    "Are you refusing me?" Ren Zhongping, unfazed, brushed aside a strand of hair, his sharp lips curving into a mischievous smile, "I wanted to discuss what happened in the mountains this afternoon."

    Ji Yaoge averted her eyes, aware of the powerful charm techniques, especially eye techniques, that could easily ensnare her. With her current low cultivation, she couldn¡¯t resist, so she avoided his gaze.

    "Really? Then please tell me another time, Senior Brother."

    Seeing she wasn¡¯t falling for it, Ren Zhongping continued slowly, "I met two people outside the mountain gate, inquiring about something."

    Ji Yaoge¡¯s heart sank.

    "Junior Sister, aren¡¯t you curious what they were asking?" Unnoticed, Ren Zhongping leaned close to her ear, whispering, "They were asking if there had been any cultivators who were supposed to die but suddenly woke up with a changed personality recently. Interesting, isn¡¯t it?"

    Ji Yaoge¡¯s head snapped up, meeting his eyes. His pupils were a pale green, cat-like, and his smile was devilishly charming, his sleeves billowing in the wind, making him look like a seductive vortex under the moonlight.

    It was indeed a charm technique, but¡­

    Something was strange.

    It was simr to when she was poisoned by Luan He. She could see his charm technique but wasn¡¯t affected, like¡­ like an old monk unmoved by countless beauties.

    The old monk had his cultivation. What did she have?

    Ji Yaoge¡¯s mind remained clear.

    "Really not inviting me in?" Ren Zhongping asked softly.

    A few thoughts shed through Ji Yaoge¡¯s mind. She made a decision, "Senior Brother Ren¡­"

    Ren Zhongping looked down at her. Her cheeks were blushing, her clear eyes now slightly misty, and she bit her lip, looking at him with a reluctant, conflicted gaze that stirred something in his heart. Though in-looking, her emotional expression had its own charm.

    He reached out to lift her chin, saying nothing, just stroking it.

    The prey seemed to be taking the bait, but suddenly¡­

    A bucket of ice water poured over her head, making Ji Yaoge jump back with a scream.

    "Senior Sister Ji, enjoying the moonlight with Senior Brother Ren?" It was Bai Yan, who had thrown the water.

    "Bai Yan!" Ji Yaoge, drenched, gritted her teeth. Though she knew he meant to save her from the charm technique, he had ruined her n.

    Ren Zhongping, interrupted and losing interest, didn¡¯t get angry. He withdrew his charm technique and said meaningfully, "Since you have a guest, I won¡¯t intrude. If you¡¯re curious about what I mentioned,e find me in three days."

    With that, he turned and left, his sleeves fluttering in the moonlight.

    Ji Yaoge sighed in relief, turning to face Bai Yan.

    Bai Yan, with a mocking tone, said, "Senior Sister, looking for a man? Am I not good enough?"

    He felt like his precious cabbage had almost been taken by a pig.

 Vol. 1 - Chapter 17 - The Soul-Entrancing Technique

    Chapter 17: The Soul-Entrancing Technique

    After confirming that Ren Zhongping had indeed left, Ji Yaoge turned around and went inside. Bai Yan, in a bad mood, stomped loudly. Before he even stepped in, Ji Yaoge¡¯s voice came from inside, "Bring the peaches in."

    Bai Yan kicked the basket in frustration but still resignedly picked it up.

    The cave was still empty, with only four bare walls. Ji Yaoge sat at the table, having already poured a cup of water. Bai Yan mmed the basket of peaches onto the table and snatched the water from her hand, gulping it down. Ji Yaoge watched him with amusement, pulled out a peach from the basket, cut a cross on the tip with her nail, and began peeling it.

    "Aren''t you afraid it might be poisoned?" Bai Yan gave her a sideways nce.

    The peaches wererge and fragrant, covered in dewy sweat, looking very enticing. Ji Yaoge peeled half the skin and brought it to her mouth, but before she could take a bite, Bai Yan knocked it out of her hand and caught it for himself. He took a big bite without hesitation, making a satisfied sound, peach juice dripping from his lips. He licked it off with his tongue, looking at her with a smile.

    "Aren¡¯t you afraid of poison?" Ji Yaoge raised an eyebrow.

    "Hmph." He sat down unceremoniously, throwing the basket back onto the ground. "Ren Zhongping is highly suspicious. He had no good intentions showing up outside your cave in the middle of the night, even using charm techniques on you. Aren¡¯t you afraid of what might happen? How dare you meet him alone?"

    He kept talking, the scent of peaches wafting from his mouth, and his lips glistening.

    Ji Yaoge rubbed her nose and looked away. "If hees to my door, how can I not see him?"

    "I''m afraid you¡¯ll lose your life if you do." Bai Yan finished the peach in two bites and threw the pit outside the cave door. "I secretly investigated. The day you got injured, it was Ren Zhongping who used an excuse to lure you out of the mountain gate. But he holds a high position, and the junior sisters who knew were too scared to speak up, so he managed to cover it up."

    If she had known this earlier, Ji Yaoge might have been very happy, but now, she was very calm. "I know."

    "You know?" Bai Yan had worked hard to find out, hoping for some praise, but all he got was a light response. "How do you know?"

    "How do you know?" Ji Yaoge retorted.

    "I¡­" Bai Yan wanted to boast but remembered his methods weren¡¯t exactly honorable, so he shut up immediately.

    "A knowledgeable junior sister?" Ji Yaoge could imagine Bai Yan¡¯s methods. Just using his face and his mouth, nothing more.

    Bai Yan snorted, not exining, and said, "If you know, why don¡¯t you stay away from him? He¡¯s practicing some dark arts, who knows where he got them. No, I need to report this to Madam."

    "Don¡¯t go!" Ji Yaoge hurriedly pulled him back. "Who would believe us without evidence? If we make a big fuss, we¡¯re no match for him. If ites to a fight, we¡¯ll have a hard time protecting ourselves."

    Hearing this, Bai Yan calmed down, held her hand, and said, "Then we¡¯ll think of another way."

    Ji Yaoge discreetly withdrew her hand. "I¡¯ll think of another way, but you should stop getting involved. This matter has nothing to do with you, so don¡¯t investigate further."

    Because it involved Xiao Wuheng, a major demon, the fewer people who knew, the better. Ji Yaoge couldn¡¯t let Bai Yan know, nor did she want him to get into danger.

    This was a kind intention, but Bai Yan¡¯s face darkened. "My senior sister¡¯s matters are my matters. How can I sit idly by?"

    "This is too dangerous," Ji Yaoge advised.

    "All the more reason for me to be involved. My cultivation is better than yours, Senior Sister." Bai Yan¡¯s stubbornness red up, making him hard to deal with. "I can protect you. I know the people in the sect better than you, and I¡¯m more popr. With me, it¡¯s like adding wings to a tiger¡­"

    Ji Yaoge¡¯s head ached from his ranting. She stood up and pushed him out of the cave. "Go, go, go. Stop talking. I need to cultivate."

    The cave door mmed shut. Bai Yan was pushed outside, ring at the closed door. "One moment cold, one moment warm, one moment good, one moment bad. Senior Sister, you¡¯re really fickle, heartless¡­"

    Yes, he could no longer figure out this Senior Sister.

    ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª

    Reciting the "Three Pure Lotus Mantra," Ji Yaoge automatically blocked out Bai Yan¡¯s voice, calming her uneasy emotions.

    Ren Zhongping¡¯s words still echoed in her ears. Since he was the one who took "Ji Yaoge¡¯s" soul, he naturally knew that the current Ji Yaoge was not the original. Baili Qing wasn¡¯t going to let her go and had already sent someone to find her. If Ren Zhongping revealed this, her identity would be exposed.

    But it seemed Ren Zhongping hadn¡¯t told them yet and hade to her instead, seemingly to use this to threaten her. What did he want from her?

    Or rather, what did the person behind him want?

    She had thought finding the murderer of the original owner would allow her to avoid danger for a while, but it had led to an even more terrifying person. Now, one side was the unconfirmed Xiao Wuheng, the other was the relentless Baili Qing. With her low cultivation, just thinking about it gave her a headache.

    However, since Ren Zhongping gave her three days, she shouldn¡¯t have any trouble before the dance trial.

    For now, the n was to pass the dance trial in three days.

    With this decision made, Ji Yaoge focused on the Twelve Celestial-Demon Dance.

    ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª

    Ji Yaoge had exceptionalprehension and two hundred years of cultivation experience. The advanced footwork of the Wuxiang Sword Sect was far moreplex than the Twelve Celestial-Demon Dance. By the evening of the second day, except for the final Twelve Celestial-Demon Forms, she could perform the entire dance smoothly.

    The person in the light column leaped into the air, bending and extending her arms, once again attempting the Twelve Celestial-Demon Forms. Unfortunately, not even the dust on the ground stirred, let alone any illusions.

    Ji Yaogended dejectedly. Leaning against the wall, Ye Long, who hadn¡¯t spoken for a long time, just crossed her arms and watched her. Seeing her still trying to grasp the Twelve Celestial-Demon Forms, Ye Long finally spoke.

    "Stop trying. If you master the Twelve Celestial-Demon Forms in three days, you¡¯d be a monster."

    Interrupted, Ji Yaoge stopped. "How will I know if I don¡¯t try?"

    "You¡¯ve already exceeded my expectations by mastering the dance to this extent in two days. I¡¯ve been practicing for over a hundred years and haven¡¯t seen a disciple learn this fast." Ye Long slowly stood up, a hint of curiosity in her eyes. "I didn¡¯t expect that even though your physical aptitude is poor, yourprehension is high. It¡¯s a pity."

    In the entire Chi Xiu Pce, she was the fastest to master this dance, but even she took five days to reach Ji Yaoge¡¯s level. Ji Yaoge was more than twice as fast.

    "Sit down. I¡¯ll teach you the Celestial-Demon Dance¡¯s mental technique. Without it, you can¡¯t seed in creating the Twelve Celestial-Demon Forms." Ye Long said as she flew to the bottom of the light column and sat cross-legged, holding a tiny porcin bottle in her palm. "This is the marrow bee venom. Do you trust me?"

    "Marrow bee?" Ji Yaoge stared at the porcin bottle. "The venom that can drive a person mad with just one drop?"

    Ye Long nodded. "Marrow bee venom doesn¡¯t attack the bloodstream, only the five senses and consciousness. It heightens the senses a hundredfold. For cultivators, whose sensitivity is already greater than ordinary people, the venom amplifies all sensations beyond bearable limits, causing hallucinations, delusions, and insanity. It¡¯s a terrifying toxin, but also a potent medicine. A tiny amount can make a cultivator¡¯s consciousness more sensitive, allowing them to perceive external changes, whether in aura or subtle emotions. Now, you need to practice sensing emotions, both yours and others¡¯. Only when you can perceive them can you integrate them into the Celestial-Demon Dance. Otherwise, no matter how beautifully you dance, you¡¯ll be a soulless puppet."

    While speaking, she picked up a silver needle, dipped it lightly into the bottle, and gestured towards Ji Yaoge.

    The needle tip glowed faintly blue, catching Ji Yaoge¡¯s eye. Without hesitation, she nodded and turned around.

    A slight prickling sensation hit the back of her neck as Ye Long inserted the needle.

    In an instant, Ye Long¡¯s cold voice seemed to echo in an empty space. "The Celestial-Demon Dance has two entry levels: knowing oneself and knowing others. Knowing oneself means capturing your own emotions; knowing others means capturing others¡¯ emotions. Once you grasp your emotions, you can project them into the dance and convey them to the audience. Once you grasp others¡¯ emotions, you can use your power to control their feelings. This is the simplest level, but emotions can¡¯t be materialized. They¡¯re harder to capture than aura."

    As the marrow bee venom spread, Ji Yaoge¡¯s senses became infinitely heightened. Ye Long¡¯s voice seemed to reach her primordial spirit directly. Besides her voice, every tiny sound in the room¡ªthe rubbing of hands, the rustling of clothes, the swaying of hair, even the sound of insects in the walls¡ªwas crystal clear.

    "Though marrow bee venom can sharpen your senses, whether you can perceive elusive emotions depends on yourprehension. Your level isn¡¯t high enough, so I¡¯ll set up an aura field around you to let you temporarily experience the wonders of a higher realm. Sensing your own emotions is easier, but capturing external emotions is difficult. The walls of this practice room are engraved with thirty-six images of various emotions. You must find the image of joy among them by the day after tomorrow. Then you¡¯ll understand what it means to integrate emotions into the dance, and Yue Xiao¡¯s trial won¡¯t be a problem."

    While speaking, Ye Long used her palm to push herself out of the formation, rapidly forming seals with her hands to create a dense aura field around Ji Yaoge.

    "I have important matters to attend to these two days and won¡¯t return. Cultivate in my cave. I¡¯ll leave this bottle of marrow bee venom for you. No more than two needles a day. I¡¯ll personally be at the dance hall the day after tomorrow. Don¡¯t be nervous."

    Watching Ji Yaoge enveloped in blue light, Ye Long wiped the sweat from her brow and stood up. Ji Yaoge, eyes closed and unable to speak, nodded slightly. The cave door opened and closed, and Ye Long was gone, leaving Ji Yaoge alone in the vast cave.

    Ji Yaoge suddenly opened her eyes.

    Her clear eyes shone with a captivating light, not belonging to the low-cultivation Ji Yaoge, but to the former Bai Yun.

    A prodigious talent who reached the Nascent Soul stage in a hundred years in the Wan Hua cultivation world. Thanks to the aura field left by Ye Long, she briefly returned to her former power. Her vision, mind, and primordial spirit were all iparable. Even her senses were vastly different.

    She took a deep breath and began to understand her emotions. What is joy? Reaching the Nascent Soul stage in a hundred years was joy. What is anger? Being robbed of her body by Baili Qing was anger. What is sorrow? Losing a century¡¯s worth of cultivation in a day was sorrow. What is happiness? Her senior brother helping her step onto her first flying sword was happiness¡­ Joy, anger, sorrow, and happiness, all derived from human emotions. One¡¯s life, whether mortal or immortal, is filled with these experiences, not necessarily extreme but flowing from the heart. She recalled her past emotions, storing each one in her heart.

    Slowly, she closed her eyes again.

    Two hundred years of memories revisited in one night, with countless emotions filling her heart, only to dissipate, leaving rity.

    Knowing oneself is understanding emotions. Next, knowing others.

    External emotions are even moreplex. Though her senses were heightened and she had her former power, she was disturbed by various sounds, making it much harder to capture external emotions. She needed to understand these emotions and learn to find her target amidst the chaos.

    With heightened senses, every sound around her was clear, and the images on the wall seemed to spin rapidly. Laughter, crying, sighing, cursing, murmuring¡ªall sounds entered her ears. She opened her eyes, but the images on the wall were still, their expressions unchanged.

    The path of cultivation has no shortcuts. She decided to capture each emotion one by one. Starting withughter, shepared it to her own emotions but found it wasn¡¯t joy or happiness. The crying wasn¡¯t sorrow or pain either. Time passed, and she still couldn¡¯t grasp the essence.

    Her storage bag vibrated slightly. It was the jade slip of the "Enchanting Bone Technique," seemingly responding to her cultivation.

    Ji Yaoge paused her practice and took out the jade slip. Before she could probe it with her spiritual sense, a voice echoed in her primordial spirit¡ª

    "Emotions cannot be judged by appearances. You¡¯ve experienced too few desires. Open your spiritual eye and let the myriad beings¡¯ spiritual bones aid your cultivation."

    With that short phrase, silence returned.

    Without further thought, the cinnabar mark on her forehead glowed, and countless points of light rushed towards her. With Ye Long¡¯s aura field, her cultivation level briefly returned to the Nascent Soul stage, rapidly expanding her absorption range. Spiritual bones from the cave door and the sky hole flew towards her, merging into her forehead.

    Her spiritual sense was at its peak, and countless spiritual bones, carrying the emotions of living beings, flooded in, suffocating her. She felt like she was drowning in a sea of emotions, each one different, and she could only understand them one by one.

    Laughter might not be joy; it could be enlightenment after great sorrow. Likewise, crying might not be sorrow; it could be the initial joy of life.

    The myriad beings, myriad emotions, myriad hearts¡ªemotions are contradictory and cannot be seen with the eyes, only felt with the heart.

    The image of crying was the joy Ye Long wanted her to find.

    Ji Yaoge, eyes closed, smiled slightly but didn¡¯t stop her cultivation. Using thest bit of Ye Long¡¯s aura field, she aimed to advance.

    Knowing oneself and others, and then integrating emotions.

    Controlling others¡¯ emotions.

    Ye Long¡¯s aura field dissipated at dawn on the third day. The blue light dispersed, and the marrow bee venom¡¯s effects faded. Ji Yaoge¡¯s world returned to calm. She slowly opened her eyes and leaped into the air in the light column.

    The Twelve Celestial-Demon Dance, a soul-entrancing dance.

    The figure in the formation shifted endlessly before finally stopping.

    The sun was high; the three days were up.

    Ji Yaoge adjusted her clothes and headed out. At the cave entrance, she turned around.

    In her clear eyes, countless images shed briefly, and her lips curved into a faint, enigmatic smile.

    If Ye Long were here, she would be shocked.

    The thirty-six expressions on the stone walls had all turned to crying, without exception.

    Thirty-six statues, crying, joyful.

    All under her control.

 Vol. 1 - Chapter 18 - A Sudden Rise

    Chapter 18: A Sudden Rise

    At the end of the Si hour, the sunlight in the mountains grew intense, the ring sun dazzling to the eyes. Despite this, the area outside the open dance hall was still packed with people. Today was the day Ji Yaoge¡¯s three-day challenge came to an end. Whether they were people practicing dance in the hall or those who had heard the news and came out of curiosity, they all gathered here under the scorching sun to watch the spectacle.

    After all, it was unprecedented in Chi Xiu Pce for anyone to challenge the authority of Yue Xiao, a direct disciple of Ying Shuang, especially someone with nearly zero cultivation like Ji Yaoge.

    The gathered cultivators outside the dance hall were either mocking her for overestimating herself or admiring her courage. Gossip filled the air, disturbing the peace, but no one believed Ji Yaoge could master the Twelve Celestial-Demon Dance. After all, talent is irrefutable. Even with Ye Long¡¯s personal instruction, sess seemed unlikely.

    "Junior Sister, want to ce a bet?" Someone had opened a betting ring and was calling out loudly.

    Jiao Tao was pulled aside by the person and nced at the table, asking, "What are the odds?"

    "Betting on Junior Sister Ji not passing, ten to one; betting on her passing, one to ten. Want to try, Junior Sister Jiao Tao?" The person smiled as he fiddled with the spirit jade on the table.

    Such skewed odds showed no one had faith in Ji Yaoge. Jiao Tao cursed directly, "Get lost!"

    "Why get angry with him?" Bai Yan pulled the cursing Jiao Tao out of the crowd.

    "Where''s Yaoge?" Jiao Tao looked around but couldn''t find Ji Yaoge.

    "She went to Senior Sister Ye Long''s ce two days ago and hasn''t returned since." Bai Yan shook his head. The time was almost up, and Ji Yaoge still hadn''t appeared.

    As the two grew more anxious, someone outside shouted, "Senior Sister Yue Xiao is here."

    The surrounding cultivators all bowed in greeting, and Jiao Tao and Bai Yan also lowered their heads. Bai Yan, however, couldn''t help but sneak a nce around. Yue Xiao was dressed exquisitely today. Although she wasn¡¯t naturally beautiful, her practice of charm techniques had made her eyes and brows increasingly alluring, and her makeup and attireplemented her aura, making her quite captivating.

    Yue Xiao walked gracefully, followed by a group of people. In response to the crowd''s greetings, she only nodded slightly before heading straight into the dance hall.

    "What''s this? Junior Sister Ji hasn''t arrived yet?" Seeing the empty dance hall, she frowned and mocked, "Such a big attitude."

    "Maybe she''s too embarrassed to show up," someone behind herughed in agreement.

    Yue Xiao didn¡¯tugh, but coldly said, "She agreed to this. If she doesn¡¯t show up, she loses. Light the incense. If it''s burned out and she''s still not here, she forfeits and will be punished with hardbor."

    With that, she flicked her robe and sat down on the stone seat in the hall.

    The incense was quickly lit and ced in the round censer outside the dance hall. With the midday heat, the incense head glowed and burned down rapidly. Time flew by, and Jiao Tao grew increasingly anxious, pushing Bai Yan, "Aren''t you going to look for her?"

    Bai Yan stood with his arms crossed, watching the incense burn inch by inch. Instead of panicking, he calmed down, "It''s toote to find her now. Let''s wait and see."

    As the incense burned down, the main person still hadn¡¯t arrived, and the murmuring in the crowd grew louder.

    "So many people?" A calm female voice suddenly silenced all the whispers in the courtyard.

    "Senior Sister Ye Long." Everyone bowed in unison.

    Ye Long arrived alone but her presence overshadowed all the cultivators present, silencing them. Noticing the tense atmosphere, Yue Xiao didn¡¯t even look up, just sarcastically said, "Senior Sister, it¡¯s been years since you''ve been here. I didn''t expect you''d personallye today for an insignificant low-level cultivator. Quite surprising."

    Stopping at the entrance, Ye Long sighed, "Junior Sister, why are you doing this?"

    "What am I doing?" Yue Xiao yed with her hairpin, her tone flirtatious, "But what about you, Senior Sister? You''ve never been so attentive to any junior brother or sister before. Now, suddenly, you''re doting on an unworthy disciple. But it seems you''ll be disappointed. Your poor little junior sister hasn¡¯t shown up. She must be too ashamed."

    Ye Long looked around and indeed didn¡¯t see Ji Yaoge, "What happened? Where is she?"

    "How would I know? Hasn''t she always been with you? I was looking forward to seeing what your personal instruction could achieve, but it seems I''ll be disappointed." Yue Xiao slowly stood up, looking at the incense that was about to burn out, "What a pity, you finally came after so long, and now you won''t even see a dance."

    As she spoke, a gust of hot wind blew, and thest inch of incense ash fell.

    "Time''s up, everyone can leave now..." Yue Xiao yawned, "Such a bore..."

    Before she finished speaking, a figure pushed through the crowd and rushed to the front of the dance hall.

    "Wait, I''m here." Ji Yaoge stood in front of the crowd, panting heavily. She was still dressed in her in diagonal-cored dress, her hair was neatly tied in a bun, sweat on her forehead, and her cheeks flushed, making her look even more ordinary.

    Jiao Tao was thrilled, waving at her enthusiastically.

    "Sorry, I got too focused on practicing the dance and lost track of time. Please forgive me, Senior Sister." She apologized while smiling at Jiao Tao and Bai Yan. After leaving Ye Long¡¯s ce, she had meditated on the "Mysterious Lotus Mantra" to calm herself, worried that her temperament might be overtaken by her beastly nature, almost missing the time.

    Bai Yan, however, looked away, still holding a grudge from being kicked out of her cave the other night.

    "Since you''re here, and just in time, it''s fine. Senior Sister Yue Xiao isn¡¯t one to fuss over small details, right?" Ye Long waved her hand and smiled at Yue Xiao.

    Yue Xiao snorted, "Since you put it that way, if I fuss, wouldn''t I seem petty? Enough talk, she''s here now, let''s not waste everyone''s time. Start the music and dance."

    ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª

    As the music began, a thunder eagle soared up the cliff, its wings spread wide, lightning patterns shing like quick bolts, its cry roaring like thunder.

    Ji Yaoge leaped with the music, soaring into the air, her movements agile like the thunder eagle. She didn¡¯t enter the dance hall but chose to dance in the open courtyard. The cultivators retreated to the sides, giving her space. Ye Long and Yue Xiao had alsoe out of the hall, standing on the steps to watch her dance.

    Under the scorching midday sun, she bent backwards in mid-air, her flexible waist arching like a slender willow, her long legs extended upwards, her hands forming a lotus seal in front of her chest, resembling the flying deities often seen in murals.

    Her movements were as graceful as a startled swan.

    What captivated everyone was her eyes, which had always been empty and silent, now seemed filled with a soul. Her gaze was pure and clean, like a child¡¯s, filled with a mix of joy and slight anger, moving and enchanting.

    Her form hadn¡¯t moved, but her spirit had already led.

    It made people feel joy.

    Starting with the flying deities¡¯ pose, she transitioned to rapid spins, twisting, tilting, folding, curving, bending, flipping, her movements weren¡¯t perfect but flowed like water, seamlessly matching the music at every step, every move.

    The melodious music was pleasing to the ear. Ji Yaoge¡¯s dance, embodying both form and spirit, bnced strength with grace, easily conveying the joyful emotion of the dance. The observing disciples felt this emotion and nodded secretly. To reach this level in three days was no easy feat, especially for someone with low cultivation like Ji Yaoge.

    Jiao Tao was overjoyed, while Bai Yan, unusually, leaned against a tree with his arms crossed, watchingzily without a smile.

    As the music reached its midpoint, Ye Long¡¯s lips curved slightly, enjoying the performance¡ªthis girl indeed lived up to her expectations, grasping the essence of conveying emotions in just three days, showing some real talent in this path.

    Yue Xiao watched coldly, almost grinding her teeth to pieces. Seeing Ye Long¡¯s approving gaze, her face turned frosty, and she walked over to the music ensemble, snatching a pipa. The male disciples in the ensemble were stunned, and their hands gradually stopped moving as they heard her first pluck of the strings.

    The ensemble music was reced by the solo pipa. The melody remained the same, but the pipa''s strings changed the mood, rapid like rain, covering the sky, seeming both angry and sorrowful, directly opposing the joyful mood of Ji Yaoge¡¯s dance.

    Ji Yaoge¡¯s body paused.

    The ensemble¡¯s music was meant toplement the dancer¡¯s mood, making the dance more harmonious, but Yue Xiao¡¯s interference made the music and dance sh. The pipa¡¯s sound was mournful and overpowering, disrupting Ji Yaoge¡¯s joyful mood. Ji Yaoge¡¯s dance steps faltered, affected by the music.

    Joy turned to sorrow.

    "Yue Xiao, what are you doing?" Ye Long was the first to notice Yue Xiao''s actions and sternly questioned her.

    Yue Xiao plucked the strings rapidly, provocatively saying, "Can''t you see? I¡¯m ying music for Junior Sister Ji."

    "You are a high-ranking senior sister in our sect, and she¡¯s just a low-level cultivator who hasn¡¯t even reached the Foundation Establishment stage. Why are you targeting her like this, lowering yourself?" Ye Long¡¯s face showed anger, her gaze sharp as a de.

    Yue Xiaoughed coldly, "Yes, I am targeting her. So what? When she epted this trial, I didn¡¯t say I wouldn¡¯t interfere with music. Didn¡¯t you personally teach her? Can¡¯t she handle this?"

    "You..." Ye Long was furious at her unreasonable behavior.

    Seeing Ye Long¡¯s hand unconsciously move to her sword hilt, Yue Xiao plucked the pipa strings more aggressively, her frosty gaze filled with pain, "What? Want to draw your sword on me?"

    "Do you think I won¡¯t dare?" Ye Long¡¯s thumb lightly flicked, and her curved de rang out, half an inch unsheathed.

    Yue Xiao gritted her teeth, staring at her.

    The two stood in confrontation.

    Outside, Ji Yaoge¡¯s dance hadn¡¯t ended.

    The sudden pipa sound disrupted her emotions, overwhelming her with sharp sorrow for no apparent reason. Her dance became more frenzied, her steps increasingly disordered. She knew this was bad, and the surrounding people¡¯s emotions were also affected, their smiles fading...

    The situation took a sharp turn, and Ji Yaoge clenched her teeth in thought.

    In Ye Long¡¯s cave, she had advanced to the realm of controlling emotions through dance. To avoid attracting attention, she had held back today, but now it seemed she could no longer do so. With this in mind, her childlike eyes emitted a chilling sharpness. As she spun rapidly, her smile twisted into something wild, no longer gentle.

    The onlookers felt as if her figure blurred, transforming into various forms. The light in her eyes reflected their own images, like a mirror.

    In an instant, the dancer became the observer, the music disappeared, leaving only the sound of their heartbeats, like blooming spring flowers, morning dew, and sunshine, free of gloom.

    "Put down the pipa!"

    Over there, Ye Long coldly faced Yue Xiao.

    "If you have the guts,e and take it." Yue Xiao refused to back down, her lips curving in defiance.

    Neither looked at the scene below.

    "Then don''t me me for forgetting old ties." With that, Ye Long¡¯s curved de shed, instantly striking towards Yue Xiao.

    Yue Xiao jumped up with her pipa, dodging the strike but continuing to pluck the strings,ughing bitterly, "Do we even have old ties left?"

    Ye Long, enraged, said nothing, her curved de like a moon hook from the sky, attacking Yue Xiao. Yue Xiao retreated step by step with her pipa, avoiding the de. Although their cultivation levels were close, Ye Long¡¯s innate talent and cultivation had always been superior. Years of umted anger erupted, making her strikes fierce. In just a few moments, they exchanged dozens of moves. Yue Xiao, clutching her pipa, refused to let go, but was struck on the shoulder, staggering back against the wall. Ye Long¡¯s de swept towards her neck, forcing her to release the pipa. Yue Xiao smiled bitterly, refusing to let go, even leaning her neck forward. Ye Long¡¯s de stopped an inch from her pale neck.

    "You!" Ye Long, chest heaving with anger, "Stubborn fool!"

    Yue Xiao stubbornly held her pipa, staring into her eyes.

    Outside, a burst ofughter and exmations distracted them. Ye Long released her de and turned to see the scene outside, her eyes widening. Beside her, there was a "ng" as the pipa fell to the ground, Yue Xiao muttering, "Impossible, impossible..."

    In the open courtyard, six celestial and six demonic figures, either reclining, sitting, or lying, their forms varied, though faint and misty, their outlines were distinct.

    Ji Yaoge was descending slowly from the air, the illusions still lingering. The observers around her were entranced, their smiles unwavering, their emotions under her control.

    Three days to master the Twelve Celestial-Demon Forms.

    Incredible.

    Frighteningly fast.

 Vol. 1 - Chapter 19 - Dao Companion

    Chapter 19: Dao Companion

    No one knew how much time had passed before the Twelve Celestial-Demon Forms gradually dissipated. Those who had their minds captivated were slowlying back to their senses, realizing what had happened. Everyone fell into disbelieving silence, the courtyard was dead quiet, even Yue Xiao and Ye Long were speechless for a long time.

    Ji Yaoge let out a heavy breath, knowing that her actions might have been too much, but there was no other choice given the situation earlier. She calmly walked to the front of the dance hall and cupped her fists in salute to the two senior sisters.

    "How is this possible? Only three days," Yue Xiao was still murmuring, looking incredulously at Ye Long.

    Ye Long had left for a day, and she had no idea how Ji Yaoge managed to master the Twelve Celestial-Demon Forms. For a moment, she was also too shocked to speak. In the vast courtyard, only Ji Yaoge''s steady voice could be heard, "The dance is over. Thank you, Senior Sister Ye Long, for your guidance and Senior Sister Yue Xiao for your pointers. I still have chores to attend to in the Cangling Pavilion, so I won''t linger. Please excuse me. Farewell."

    With that, she turned around and left, not even asking about the trial results.

    She had neither the pride of achieving something amazing nor the cautiousness of someone with low cultivation. What she had was the confidence of someone who had done their best, and the result was clear for everyone to see. Why would she need their judgment, right?

    "Ji..." Ye Long was about to call out to Ji Yaoge.

    "Did you teach her this?" Yue Xiao interrupted her.

    "I..." Ye Long didn''t know how to exin. She had taught Ji Yaoge the Celestial-Demon Dance, but mastering the Twelve Celestial-Demon Forms was unexpected. She had only demonstrated once, and who knew Ji Yaoge couldprehend it on her own? Exining it would seem unbelievable.

    Yue Xiao mistook Ye Long''s hesitation for guilt. Her red lips pressed into a line, eyes reddened, pointing a trembling finger at Ye Long, "You helped her hit me and even taught her the Twelve Forms? Fine, you''re something..."

    "I didn''t... Don''t cry... Don''t cry..." Ye Long sheathed her curved de, frowning as she tried tofort her.

    Yue Xiao''s tears rolled down her cheeks. Seeing Ye Long approach, she stomped hard on her shoe, "Ye Long, you''re something!" Then, pushing her away, she stormed out of the dance hall and flew away.

    Ye Long jumped in pain, clutching her brow, and chased after Yue Xiao.

    ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª

    Ji Yaoge walked quickly along the path to the Cangling Pavilion. As she turned past a wall covered in nineyers of bougainvillea, someone blocked her way.

    Under the clusters of crimson flowers, Ren Zhongping stepped out leisurely, shadows of flowers cast on the ground. With a light flick of his sleeve, he smiled, "Congrattions, Junior Sister, for mastering the Twelve Celestial-Demon Forms in such a short time."

    Ji Yaoge licked her lips, "It''s all thanks to Senior Brother Ren. Without your ''help,'' I wouldn''t have had the chance to practice the Celestial-Demon Dance."

    Her words were calm, but her clear eyes exuded a captivating charm, making her ordinary face seem particrly lively.

    Ren Zhongping chuckled softly, "Junior Sister still holds a grudge?"

    "I wouldn''t dare. I''m thanking Senior Brother," Ji Yaoge lowered her eyes, appearing shy under his intense gaze.

    Ren Zhongping squinted, recalling her graceful dance moves earlier, and suddenly felt an itch in his heart. His voice turned low and seductive, "Since you''re thankful, shouldn''t you show some sincerity?"

    This shameless man! Ji Yaoge clenched her fist but maintained herposure, "How does Senior Brother want me to thank you?"

    "Do you remember our agreement from the other day?" Ren Zhongping said, brushing a strand of hair from her temple, his fingertip grazing her cheek.

    Ji Yaoge leaned back slightly, "How could I forget? Now that the trial is over, I was just wondering when Senior Brother would have time so I coulde find you."

    "No need to wait. How about now?" Ren Zhongping, enjoying the feel of her warm, smooth skin, suggested.

    "Not now. It''s broad daylight, and people areing and going. It wouldn''t be proper. Besides, I have important matters at Cangling Pavilion. How about..." Ji Yaoge paused, her voice enticing, "tonight at Hai hour? Will you wait for me, Senior Brother?"

    Ren Zhongping stroked his chin andughed, "Alright, I''ll wait for you in my cave at Hai hour."

    Ji Yaoge smiled in agreement. Once Ren Zhongping left, her expression turned cold.

    ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª

    After confirming Ren Zhongping had left, Ji Yaoge didn''t return to Cangling Pavilion. Instead, she circled around to the west side of Chi Xiu Pce, outside the Luanhe Forest.

    The afternoon sun was still zing, and there was no one in the Luanhe Forest. She looked around cautiously to make sure no one was there before stepping into the forest.

    Ji Yaoge had a habit of thoroughly understanding anything she had suffered from before. After her previous encounter, she had learned everything about the characteristics of Luanhe. This nt was cultivated by the sect and harvested by assigned disciples. Approaching it was simple. Luanhe could sense the temperature of living creatures and attack them. As long as the area below the knees was frozen when approaching Luanhe, it wouldn''t react.

    Luanhe was the main ingredient for Chunxing Powder, an aphrodisiac. However, excessive use could harm the soul, causing fainting or even turning into an idiot. Chunxing Powder was hard to make, but Luanhe grass could be picked freely. There were no regtions within the sect.

    Ji Yaoge took out a low-quality frost charm she had prepared beforehand and cast it on herself. Ayer of visible white frost covered her legs and shoes, making her feel a chill. Only then did she proceed into the forest.

    Ren Zhongping was a big problem that needed to be dealt with quickly. From the day he approached her, Ji Yaoge had been nning countermeasures. These were her gifts for Ren Zhongping.

    The Luanhe flowers were still blooming densely, clusters of them glowing in the forest. Ji Yaoge held her breath and stepped in cautiously. The Luanhe did not react, so she took out her Qiankun bag and hung it on her waist. The Qiankun bag, the standard equipment for every disciple, was used for collecting herbs. It could hold much more than its apparent size.

    Picking Luanhe required quick and precise movements. One had to urately pluck the entire flower without damaging the stem and leaves below, or else it would trigger a reaction from the whole cluster. This was not difficult for Ji Yaoge. With sharp eyes and swift hands, she efficiently filled her Qiankun bag. The frost charmsted about half an hour. As the frost began to melt, Ji Yaoge weighed the Qiankun bag, satisfied with the amount collected, and hurried back to her cave.

    ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª

    By dusk, there were still two hours left until her appointment with Ren Zhongping. Ji Yaoge took out a simple mortar and pestle and ced them on the table, then emptied the bag of Luanhe into a basket, which was now full.

    Thump, thump¡ª

    She donned leather gloves and swiftly ground the Luanhe into a juice.

    The stopper of a jade tube popped open, and Gao Badou emerged, floating into the air. He dipped his feelers into the mortar and quickly retracted them, disdainful, "What are you doing?"

    "Grinding flowers for juice," Ji Yaoge replied without looking up, sweat dripping from her forehead.

    "With so much Luanhe, who are you nning to seduce?" Gao Badou eximed.

    "Ren Zhongping," she replied.

    "...," Gao Badou was stunned, then flew above her, lying down, "Finally decided to use your beauty tactics?"

    Ji Yaoge pulled him down and tossed him aside, "These are for you."

    "What?!" Gao Badou''s feelers stiffened in shock.

    "Ren Zhongping''s cultivation is much higher than mine. Ordinary charm techniques won''t work on him. I need external help. You''ll absorb the extracted Luanhe juice. With your cultivation, you should be able to suppress its toxicity temporarily. When I reach Ren Zhongping, I''ll cast a spell to confuse him, and you inject the poison into him," Ji Yaoge exined while continuing to grind the flowers.

    "I''m not doing it!" Gao Badou refused.

    Ji Yaoge raised her head, the sound of the pestle grinding against the mortar was menacing.

    "Don''t you want to know if your enemy hase to Shuangxia Valley?"

    "I still won''t do it. Besides, with your cultivation, how will you confuse him?" Gao Badou flew away from her, afraid of getting a drop of the juice on himself.

    "With this," Ji Yaoge ced the bottle of marrow bee venom given by Ye Long on the table.

    Ren Zhongping was at thete Foundation Establishment stage and also practiced charm techniques. With her current level of charm skills, she couldn''t beat him. She had to rely on tricks. The marrow bee venom could forcibly enhance her senses, allowing her to control emotions at a Foundation Establishment level. Coupled with the Luanhe poison to disrupt his soul, she had a good chance.

    Gao Badou, well-versed in many things, recognized the content of the bottle immediately.

    "Are you crazy? This stuff will damage your meridians if used too much."

    "I know my limits. I''ll be fine," Ji Yaoge continued grinding.

    "Don''t expect me to go crazy with you," Gao Badou considered going back to sleep in his jade tube.

    "Gao Badou, there''s a biannual cultivator market in Tiyu Prefecture. Many cultivators bring items to sell and trade there, including various techniques..."

    Gao Badou''s eyes lit up.

    "Help me this once, and I''ll take you there. Deal?"

    Gao Badou fell silent.

    Ji Yaoge didn''t push him, continuing to grind the flowers.

    Under the starry night sky, she filtered the ground flowers and extracted a cup of poison, cing it on the table, quietly watching Gao Badou. After a moment of inner struggle, Gao Badou''s feelers quivered, "You said it, don''t forget."

    "Deal," Ji Yaoge nodded.

    Gao Badou heroically dived into the poison. After all, people die for wealth, and birds die for food. He couldn''t resist this opportunity.

    Ji Yaoge prepared other things. Since it was an act, it had to be done thoroughly.

    She changed her clothes.

    ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª

    When everything was ready, Gao Badou had absorbed all the poison. His body didn''t growrger, but his abdomen showed a blood-red hue, giving his body a strange golden-red color. He quickly burrowed into the jade tube, his voice trembling, "The dose is too high. I can onlyst for the time it takes for an incense stick to burn. Hurry up."

    Ji Yaoge sealed the tube and walked out.

    Outside, the moonlight bathed the ground, the mountains filled with the sounds of wind, insects, and animals. Ren Zhongping''s cave was on another nearby peak, not far but requiring passage through a small forest. Ji Yaoge moved quickly and soon reached the forest''s edge.

    Whoosh¡ª

    Just as she saw the moonlit ground beyond the forest, a faint sound alerted her to an ambush.

    Instinctively, Ji Yaoge dodged to the side, evading the first attack but not the second, which followed swiftly. Although the attack was fast, it wasn''t harmful. Before she realized it, she was bound by a green rope, immobilized.

    "Who''s there?" Ji Yaoge was shocked, looking up at the trees, realizing someone had been hiding there undetected.

    A familiar voice, cold and devoid of gentleness, spoke, "Senior Sister, where are you going sote?"

    "Bai Yan?"

    From the dense foliage, a face emerged, still blurry but with eyes that shone with an unpredictable light, fixed on Ji Yaoge.

    "It''s been a long time since I saw you dressed like this. Why the sudden change tonight?" Bai Yan jumped down from the tree, holding the other end of the rope, circling Ji Yaoge slowly.

    Tonight, she had abandoned her in diagonal-cored dress for a yellow open-cored skirt, revealing a bright green undergarment adorned with a white lotus. Her waist was cinched tightly, and her hair was styled in a nted bun, exuding charm.

    "Why sudden? I used to dress like this. What''s wrong with changing back?" Ji Yaoge struggled but couldn''t break free from the rope, "What are you doing? Let me go."

    "Are you dressed like this to see Senior Brother Ren?" Bai Yan''s voice was low, almost unreadable.

    "So what if I am? It has nothing to do with you. I''ve told you before, this is my business. Don''t meddle!" Ji Yaoge''s voice turned cold, anger rising.

    "Nothing to do with me? When you begged me before, you didn''t say that. Now, you''ve forgotten me once you crossed the river. Or have you found a bigger backer and now despise me?" Bai Yan''s face was shadowed, like wearing a mask, no longer gentle.

    "I haven''t. I don''t remember the past," Ji Yaoge said, clenching her fist to break free.

    "But I remember every word you promised me clearly. I hoped you''d recall it yourself, but it seems that''s not possible now. No matter, I''ll remind you," Bai Yan tugged the rope, pulling Ji Yaoge into his arms.

    "Senior Sister, you promised Bai Yan that once I reached Foundation Establishment, you''d be my Dao Companion."

    Ji Yaoge''s eyes widened in surprise.

    "Now, you''re going to seduce another man right in front of me? How can I let go of the rope?" Bai Yan''s lips nearly touched her ear.

    Ji Yaoge took deep breaths to calm herself, but before she could exin, the jade tube at her waist suddenly trembled.

    The time for an incense stick to burn was running out.

    She had no time to exin.

    "We''ll discuss thister. I''m meeting Ren Zhongping for something else. If you don''t believe me, follow me, but I have a condition. You stay outside and listen for my signal. If there''s danger, I''ll call you."

    Ji Yaoge had topromise.

 Vol. 1 - Chapter 20 - Transformation

    Chapter 20: Transformation

    Bai Yan watched Ji Yaoge enter Ren Zhongping''s cave. He thought he must have lost his mind to believe her nonsense under her bright eyes. How could a low-level cultivator in the early Qi Refining stage deal with ate Foundation Establishment cultivator?

    It was absurd.

    But Ji Yaoge had done unbelievable things before. Just today, she had pulled off something remarkable, making him reassess their rtionship.

    Since she lost her memory, she no longer seemed like the humble, silent and scheming Ji Yaoge from before.

    Ji Yaoge, now inside Ren Zhongping''s cave, had no time to think. All her energy was focused on dealing with Ren Zhongping. This cave was muchrger than her residence, with two stone rooms inside and out, elegantly decorated. There was a qin table, flower stands, treasure cabs, and a lotus bed draped withyers of gauze, like a young master''s room.

    Ren Zhongping wore a diamond-patterned long robe, loosely tied at the waist, with flowing sleeves, looking quite dashing. He was pouring and drinking wine from a dragon-mouthed pot. When he saw Ji Yaoge enter, he couldn''t take his eyes off her.

    The apricot-yellow dress made her look brighter, her fair skin wrapped in a green bodice, making her look like a lotus bud. Her slightly childish face and not fully developed body exuded an unpolished charm that even the most beautiful face couldn''t convey, a breath of youth given by time.

    "Senior Brother Ren," Ji Yaoge called softly, standing at the door without moving.

    Ren Zhongping waved her over, "Come and drink with me."

    Ji Yaoge walked over, picked up the dragon-mouthed pot, and poured wine into his cup. She raised her hand high, letting the thin stream of wine ssh into the cup, spilling a few drops on the table. Ren Zhongping, however, kept his eyes on her delicate wrist and slender waist.

    "Senior Brother, have some wine," she said in a deliberately soft voice, trying to appear obedient. Ji Yaoge still couldn''t master the art of seduction, only trying to seem docile.

    Ren Zhongping, pleased with her behavior, downed the wine in one gulp. Ji Yaoge refilled his cup and asked tentatively, "I wonder who Senior Brother met in the mountains two days ago. I''m very curious."

    "Want to know?" He brought the cup to her lips.

    Ji Yaoge sipped the wine, "I do."

    Ren Zhongping seemed very satisfied with her obedience, "You''re not Ji Yaoge, are you? Those people were looking for you?"

    Ji Yaoge smiled, "Senior Brother is joking. How could I not be Yaoge?"

    "Enough pretending in front of me. The old Ji Yaoge wasn''t as perceptive as you. Besides, her soul was taken by me and offered to the Talisman Master. How could she return to the human world?" Ren Zhongping said, tapping her nose like a lover.

    Ji Yaoge remained silent. Since he dared to speak so bluntly, he intended to use this to threaten her. What worried her more than Xiao Wu Heng was Bai Li Qing discovering her identity.

    Sure enough, he continued, "You must have been attacked and forced out of your body, then found Ji Yaoge''s body to hide in. Those people are your enemies looking for you. Did I guess right?" He had just taken Ji Yaoge''s soul when a powerful spiritual pressure forced him to abandon dealing with her body. When he turned around, he found Ji Yaoge back in Chi Xiu Pce, which was strange. So, he didn''t rush to kill her, just observed from the shadows.

    "Since Senior Brother has guessed it all, why ask me?" Ji Yaoge sat down, poured herself a cup, and drank it in one go.

    Ren Zhongping was very pleased with her attitude, "Seems you''re smart."

    "Thank you for thepliment, Senior Brother. But what do you want by telling me all this? Just say it straight," Ji Yaoge said calmly.

    Ren Zhongping admired herposure, showing no fear of being exposed.

    "Will you do whatever I say?" He stood beside her, lifting her chin to make her look at him.

    "Depends on what it is, Senior Brother. If it''s my life, I can''t agree," Ji Yaoge smiled yfully, her eyes twinkling.

    "Haha, interesting girl. How could I bear to take your life? The night is long. Let''s enjoy it first and talk about other thingster..." He pulled her up and threw her onto the lotus bed.

    Ji Yaoge spun and fell onto the bed, the jade tube at her waist quietly opened.

    Ren Zhongping leaned down, hair falling, smiling seductively. His pupils slowly changed color, petals seemed to bloom in his eyes, filled with endless spring feelings. Ji Yaoge smelled the heavy scent on him, thickened by the heat, making her dizzy. To be fair, Ren Zhongping was handsome, more masculine than Bai Yan, without a trace of vulgarity. But he didn''t stir any ripples in her heart, even his charm techniques seemedughable.

    Already hidden in her sleeve, the silver needle pierced her vein, marrow bee venom spreading rapidly. Ji Yaoge felt his scent intensify, ears filled with tiny noises. Ren Zhongping''s voice seemed toe from afar. She closed her eyes, calming her mind. When she reopened them, her gaze was hazy.

    "Senior Brother..." she murmured.

    For some reason, Ren Zhongping found her usually in face suddenly vivid, like an ink painting infused with color, red maples forming clouds, adding grandeur to thendscape, captivating him. Was she enchanted by his charm, or did he make her bloom? Ren Zhongping was extremely pleased, body and mind both rxed. Suddenly, a sting on his neck made him turn, only to have his face cupped by her.

    "Yaoge..." he mumbled her name, about to undress her. But a scorching heat surged within, spreading rapidly. His mind briefly cleared, "What''s happening?" His voice was shocked. Seeing his skin redden, then Ji Yaoge''s cold expression, he understood everything.

    A hunter was finally pecked by the geese. Ren Zhongping never expected Ji Yaoge to poison him while he was defenselessly using charm techniques. No, she used charm on him too.

    Enraged, he raised his hand to strike her chest, but Ji Yaoge was faster, blocking with one arm and pressing the other hand on his chest, sending him flying.

    Bang¡ªRen Zhongping staggered, crashing into the table. He held onto it, face twisted in rage, "What did you poison me with?"

    "Your usual poison," Ji Yaoge stepped off the bed, walking towards him.

    Though her steps seemed slow, she suddenly appeared close, her dress fluttering, creating illusions. Ren Zhongping saw numerous Ji Yaoges, all staring at him with clear eyes, filling him with fear. He tried to gather his spiritual energy, but his meridians burned, energy chaotic, dantian ame. His soul was in disarray, heart pounding uncontrobly. He struggled to control himself, only managing to calm his mind with heavy breaths.

    Ji Yaoge''s voice echoed in his ears, calling him Senior Brother with augh, forcing him to open his eyes.

    Desire surged within him, barely restrained. The unbearable heat eroded his reason. He roared, "Get away!"

    Ji Yaoge saw a purple light in his palm and dodged, but the residual force still knocked her back a few steps. As she steadied herself, there was a ng, something fell. Ren Zhongping had already run out of the room in madness.

    She nced at the fallen item, a powerful artifact. But Ren Zhongping, poisoned by Luanhe, was exhausted, seeking escape in hisst moments of rity. Seeing him run out, Ji Yaoge frowned deeply. She couldn''t let him leave.

    Just as she was about to chase him, a muffled grunt came from outside. Ji Yaoge stopped, seeing Ren Zhongping being knocked back into the room. A figure followed swiftly, grabbing Ren Zhongping''s throat and closing the cave door with a flick of the sleeve.

    The cold, sharp gaze swept over Ji Yaoge, then the figure smiled, "Senior Sister, sorry for acting without your order. Forgive me."

    The smile was bloodthirsty and wild, unlike the Bai Yan she remembered.

    Ji Yaoge met his eyes, unable to read any emotion. His usually smiling eyes were dark and deep, but she had no time to think. She rushed to Ren Zhongping, her steps light, performing the Celestial-Demon Dance she had just learned.

    Ren Zhongping''s rity was long gone. In Bai Yan''s grip, he panted like a beast, eyes bloodshot, staring nkly at Ji Yaoge. He saw divine figures in the air, Ji Yaoge the central deity,passionate yet ruthless,manding awe.

    Bai Yan felt Ren Zhongping lose all resistance and released him. Ren Zhongping copsed to his knees with a thud.

    "Ren Zhongping, let me ask you. Were you marked with a ghost talisman, so you hunted low-level cultivators in the mountains?" Ji Yaoge asked calmly.

    "Yes," Ren Zhongping, his mind clouded, answered obediently.

    "Is the Talisman Master Xiao Wu Heng?"

    "I don''t know. He never shows his true face."

    "Where is he now? Does he know my situation? How do you contact him?" Ji Yaoge asked her pressing questions.

    "He''s in Tiyu Prefecture, but I don''t know exactly where. He always contacts me first. Thest time was the day Ji Yaoge died. He wanted her soul. He doesn''t know your situation. I haven''t reported it yet."

    Ren Zhongping''s words made Bai Yan frown deeply.

    "Those people looking for me, did you reveal my identity? Where are they now? How many?"

    "Two of them. I haven''t exposed your identity. They should still be in Shuangxia Valley, searching."

    "The Talisman Master left you in Chi Xiu Pce for what purpose? What do you want me to do?"

    "The Talisman Master wants something in Tiyu Prefecture. I''m supposed to find it. I don''t know where it is, so I tried to get close to Ying Shuang through Yue Xiao and Ye Long to find out. Unfortunately, they don''t trust me. Seeing you please Ye Long, I decided to keep you alive to help me gather information."

    "What is it?" Ji Yaoge was very curious. If it was Xiao Wu Heng, it must be an invaluable treasure for him to risk everything.

    "It''s..." Ren Zhongping opened his mouth, but his throat seemed to be squeezed, blood seeping from his lips. He fell, convulsing.

    Ji Yaoge and Bai Yan immediately checked him. Bai Yan asked, "What''s happening?"

    "Sealing curse," Ji Yaoge replied after a moment.

    A sealing curse, a high-level technique used to seal secrets, making it impossible for the person to reveal any rted information. Speaking would result in heart-devouring pain.

    Bai Yan nced at her without further questioning, "What now? Kill him?"

    Ren Zhongpingy in pain, but his breath was still weak.

    "We can''t kill him. The Talisman Master will know immediately. It''ll alert him. Let''s put him on the bed first. I''ve used arge dose of Luanhe grass and confused him with the Celestial-Demon Dance. His soul is shattered. Even if he wakes up, he''ll be an idiot. We''ll take him to see Senior Sister when we get a chance."

    This involved Xiao Wu Heng, beyond her capabilities alone. Previouslycking evidence, now Ren Zhongping''s madness would be the best proof, though she needed to hide her identity.

    As they prepared to move Ren Zhongping to the bed, the jade tube at Ji Yaoge''s waist vibrated more and more intensely.

    She pressed the tube, pondering, "Bai Yan, watch Ren Zhongping for me. I''ll be back soon."

    "Where are you going?" Bai Yan grabbed her.

    "Important matters," she didn''t want to exin.

    "I''ll go with you."

    "No need. Someone needs to stay here. If Ren Zhongping wakes and runs, it''ll be troublesome." Seeing his grip still tight, she added, "Bai Yan, trust me."

    Bai Yan slowly released her, silently looking at the man on the bed.

    As Ji Yaoge stepped out, she heard him muttering, "Senior Sister, can I really trust you?"

    She sighed and flew out.

    ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª

    Ji Yaoge didn''t go far, stopping at a secluded spot. She opened the jade tube.

    A sh of orange-red light burst forth. Gao Badou darted out, flying erratically, agitated.

    "You''re poisoned by Luanhe?" Ji Yaoge noticed the lingering red on him, frowning deeply.

    "A bit..." Gao Badou wanted to strangle Ji Yaoge. She had dyed outside, forcing him to absorb some Luanhe poison.

    Ji Yaoge was stunned. Even insects could be poisoned by spring toxins?

    "How can I help you?" Ji Yaoge felt guilty towards Gao Badou, "Shall I find a female insect for you? But female woodworms are hard to find. How about another insect from here?"

    "..." Gao Badou wanted not only to strangle her but also to tear her apart.

    Cross-species mating? No, no...

    "I don''t need an insect," he gritted his teeth, "A human will do."

    Ji Yaoge hadn''t grasped his meaning when Gao Badou''s insect body glowed brightly. The small creature was enveloped in golden light, and a shadow appeared within, slowly descending.

    As the light faded, a boy with red lips and white teeth, clear brows, and delicate features stood up.

    Ji Yaoge was speechless.

    Gao Badou, with blood-red eyes, stared at the woman before him.

    Damn it.

    Three thousand six hundred years, his first transformation, his first estrus...

    And it was all because of this woman.

    He really wanted to tear her apart.

 Vol. 1 - Chapter 21 - Schemes

    Chapter 21: Schemes

    Ssh¡ª

    The frantic Gao Badou was mercilessly tossed into the pond at the back of the mountain by Ji Yaoge.

    She was grateful that she had reacted quickly when things seemed wrong, dragging him into the mountain and finding a clear pond. The effects of the aphrodisiac could not be neutralized easily, butst time, Bai Yan had helped her suppress the effects using water. If the poisoning wasn''t too deep, soaking in the pond for a while might help him endure until the effects faded.

    "Achoo¡ª" The pond water was icy, but Gao Badou''s body felt like it was on fire, the contrasting temperatures making him sneeze.

    Seeing the resentment in Gao Badou''s eyes, Ji Yaoge could only smile apologetically. Just as she was about to speak, her soul suddenly trembled, nearly causing her to fall into the pond.

    "The consequence of abusing marrow bee venom is a destroyed soul," the boy in the water said coldly. After transforming into a human form, his voice was clear and youthful.

    Marrow bee venom was a great thing, but it couldn''t be overused. She had been using it daily for the past few days and even exceeded the dosage today. It would be strange if there was no bacsh.

    Ji Yaoge sat cross-legged on a rock by the shore, peeking through half-closed eyelids at Gao Badou.

    Honestly, after transforming, Gao Badou didn''t look like the old, bossy insect he was. The boy in the thin white clothes, now wet, had water dripping from his hair onto his slightly sharp cheeks. His red eyes held a hint of untamed wildness, diluting his youthful softness. Yet his eyes remained as arrogant and shrewd as ever, not belonging to a typical young boy.

    "Soak well. This trouble is my fault. I''ll make it up to you when I get the chance," Ji Yaoge closed her eyes.

    Gao Badou red at her fiercely¡ªhow could she make up for tarnishing his lifelong reputation?

    He wanted to curse her more, but she had entered a meditative state, ignoring him. Frustrated, he dove into the water and didn''t resurface.

    ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª

    After circting the "Mysterious Lotus Mantra" for a small cycle, the bacsh from the marrow bee venom gradually dissipated. The "Mysterious Lotus Mantra" was indeed an ancient secret technique, greatly aiding in calming the mind and spirit.

    As dawn approached, the mountain was bathed in soft light. Ji Yaoge opened her eyes, the world clear before her. The mist around the pond clung to her skin, bringing a chill. Gao Badou was no longer in the pond. She nced at the jade tube at her waist¡ªhe had somehow detoxified himself and returned to his insect form, now sleeping soundly inside the tube.

    She remembered him saying he found humans ugly. It seemed he meant it.

    In truth, his human form was quite attractive. Unfortunately, humans and insects could never share the same aesthetic.

    Ji Yaoge shrugged and remembered the two people still in Ren Zhongping''s cave. She didn''t dare linger any longer and quickly flew back to Ren Zhongping''s cave.

    ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª

    Removing the restrictions, the cave door opened from the outside. A slender figure walked in, bathed in sunlight. Bai Yan, sitting on the lotus bed,zily nced at the neer.

    Ji Yaoge had finally returned before his patience wore out.

    "What happened here?" Ji Yaoge was stunned by the scene inside.

    Bai Yan sat upright on the lotus bed, while Ren Zhongping had woken up, but not as an idiot as Ji Yaoge had expected. Instead, he was kneeling beside the bed, hugging Bai Yan''s leg and murmuring ingratiatingly, "Brother, take me to see the fairy sister."

    "As you can see," Bai Yan replied irritably.

    Before Ji Yaoge could respond, Ren Zhongping saw her, his eyes lighting up as he leaped to her feet like arge dog. She couldn''t avoid him in time and was caught.

    "Fairy sister, take me to ascend, will you?"

    She looked down at Ren Zhongping, his hair disheveled and face covered. It was clear¡ªthis man was truly mad.

    Bai Yan approached without asking what she had done all night, squatting beside Ren Zhongping, "Little Zhongping, the fairy sister is back. If you want her to teach you to ascend, shouldn''t you show some sincerity?"

    Though Ren Zhongping''s mind was in chaos, reduced to a child''s intelligence, he understood Bai Yan''s meaning. He quickly pulled a ring off his finger and offered it with both hands, "Yes, yes, this is for the fairy sister."

    Ji Yaoge didn''t take it, but Bai Yan raised an eyebrow, "Fairy sister, aren''t you going to ept Little Zhongping''s filial piety?"

    She red at him and epted the ring, then tried a suggestion, "Why don''t you meditate over there?"

    Ren Zhongping happily crouched by the wall to meditate.

    "Let''s see what treasures he has," Bai Yan leaned in, eyeing the ring in her hand.

    "A Qiankun ring?" Ji Yaoge examined the ring.

    A Qiankun ring, like a Qiankun bag, was a storage space for holding items. The internal space varied greatly depending on its quality. Ji Yaoge had once used a storage ring that could hold enough to fill three rooms. But aftering to Chi Xiu Pce, she only had a basic Qiankun bag, nearly full with just a dozen items.

    Though this ring wasn''t as good as her previous one, it was far better than the Qiankun bag she currently uses.

    The ring was no longer restricted. She tossed the ring onto the bed, and in a tter, its contents spilled out, forming a small mountain. Bai Yan''s eyes gleamed with excitement. Ren Zhongping, with his high cultivation level and reliance on Ye Long, had always had ample resources within the sect.

    Ji Yaoge walked to the bed and casually sifted through the pile, unimpressed.

    Though there were many items, most weremon¡ªcharms, pills, techniques, spiritual treasures, and the like, none of high quality. Only the spiritual jade stood out, about tworge bags containing over five hundred low-grade spirit jades and two middle-grade spirit jades, making this wealth substantial in Chi Xiu Pce.

    "We''ll split the spirit jade. The rest..." Ji Yaoge nced at the mountain of items, slipped the ring onto her finger, and put the only two techniques, nk charm papers, two charms, and a set of casting tools into the ring. She also took two weapons¡ªa jade hairpin and a short knife. The hairpin went into her bun, and the knife at her waist. She ignored the rest.

    "You can take the rest."

    "All for me?" Bai Yan, sifting through the items, was surprised.

    "Yes. These are of no use to me. You can keep them," Ji Yaoge said while walking to the wall, searching for something.

    Since he had helped, she couldn''t let him go unrewarded.

    Bai Yan squinted slightly but didn''t refuse, "Alright, I''ll take them. Some of these I don''t need either. I''ll take them to the marketter to exchange for spirit jade and split it with you."

    Ji Yaoge nodded without responding. Bai Yan divided the spirit jade into two bags, tossing one to her. She caught it without looking, still searching the ground. Bai Yan asked curiously, "What are you looking for?" She had stopped and picked up a deep purple jade ring, the one Ren Zhongping had used to attack her yesterday.

    The ring had strange engravings, unlike the writing in the Wanhua Cultivation World. A faint spiritual aura surrounded it, slightly higher quality than the pile on the bed, but...

    "A ghost realm item?" Ji Yaoge muttered.

    The spiritual aura it gave off was slightly decayed, indicating it came from the ghost realm.

    "Senior Sister, is it really Xiao Wu Heng from the ghost realm?" Bai Yan''s calm demeanor finally cracked at this name. Though his cultivation level was low, he wasn''t ignorant. He had heard of the ghost realm and Xiao Wu Heng, figures of legend. Now suddenly connected to them, the situation felt both exciting and terrifying.

    Ji Yaoge shook her head, "I can''t be certain." She pondered for a moment, then clenched the jade ring, ready to leave again.

    Bai Yan had already stored all the items in his storage bag, which was better than Ji Yaoge''s and could just about contain the small mountain. Seeing her about to leave, he asked, "Where are you going?"

    "To settle some private matters," Ji Yaoge had thought of a way to deal with the people Bai Li Qing had sent to find her.

    "I''ll go with you," Bai Yan said.

    "But what about him..." Ji Yaoge instinctively looked at Ren Zhongping.

    Ren Zhongping, obediently meditating, had fallen asleep at some point, drooling andpletely lost to his former self.

    "He just needs to sleep well," Bai Yan had sprinkled some Sweet Dream incense into the burner.

    Ji Yaoge gave Bai Yan a meaningful look and nodded, "Alright,e with me."

    ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª

    ording to Ren Zhongping''s information, the two people Bai Li Qing had sent to find her were both in the early Foundation Establishment stage. Tricked by him, they had been searching the mountains outside Chi Xiu Pce for days, not leaving. Ji Yaoge and Bai Yan searched all day and finally found them before sunset.

    "They seem odd," Bai Yan observed the two figures suddenly stopping in the distance.

    Ji Yaoge and he were hiding in a tree about ten feet away, observing them.

    The two were indeed odd, tall and thin like paper, wearing white clothes that made them look weightless. Theirplexion was deathly pale, their expressions nk, movements mechanical.

    They squatted, backs to Ji Yaoge and Bai Yan, digging something from the ground and gnawing on it.

    The eerie crunching sound reached them from afar. Bai Yan twisted his neck ufortably. The two people seemed to sense something, suddenly turning their heads. In the dim forest light, their ghastly white faces and chomping jaws were revealed, chewing on animal carcasses.

    They looked terrifying.

    "Yin Corpses?" Ji Yaoge whispered.

    She hadn''t thought deeply during her escape, but recalling now, Bai Li Qing''s methods¡ªwhether the artifact used for possession or the soul-chasing beasts sent after her¡ªwere all sinister, likely not from Wanhua, including these Yin Corpses, which were ghost realm sorcery.

    So she wasn''t surprised.

    Dealing with ghost realm entities was actually simpler.

    "What are Yin Corpses?" Bai Yan had never heard of them.

    "I''ll exinter. They''re not good. I need to kill them. Will you help me?" Ji Yaoge asked directly.

    Bai Yan was taken aback, then responded, "I will. If Senior Sister asks, how can I refuse?" He smiled leisurely, "But how do we kill them? Their cultivation is higher than ours."

    "With this," she tossed the jade ring to Bai Yan.

    "This is..."

    "It was given to Ren Zhongping by the talisman master for self-defense. It''s quite powerful, enough to deal with one of them. I''ll distract one and hold off the other. You wait for the right moment to strike," Ji Yaoge exined while preparing a charm. She murmured a few words, and the charm ignited.

    Bai Yan frowned silently.

    "Go," she flicked the burning charm, which transformed into a deer-horned rabbit and swiftly darted into the forest.

    The two corpses gnawing on the animal carcass heard the noise, turned their eerie gaze, and mechanically dropped the carcass. The rabbit ran quickly, and the two hesitated momentarily before one followed, then the other. Ji Yaoge seized the moment, darting forward and shooting the snake hairpin from her bun.

    The hairpin transformed into a slender green snake mid-flight, coiling around the trailing corpse''s neck, biting down. The corpse slowed, grasping at the snake, but the serpent was agile, dodging and coiling again. In that brief pause, the leading corpse had chased far ahead, and Ji Yaoge, now a sh of light, attacked with her short knife, shing at the corpse.

    The corpse showed no fear, its face nk, exuding a thick, decayed smell, lifeless. A ck mist rose, blocking Ji Yaoge''s de. It cackled eerily, wing at her through the mist. She dodged, but the tree behind her fell with a crack. rmed, she retreated, the corpse lunging at her like a hawk. Ji Yaoge, outmatched, seemed on the brink of defeat when a burst of violet me struck the corpse''s chest.

    With a boom, the me pierced its chest, dissipating the mist. The corpse, face nk, watched the me consume it, turning to ash inch by inch. Ji Yaoge nced at Bai Yan, hidden in the leaves, and retrieved the jade ring.

    Cold energy approached from behind. "Watch out!" Bai Yan''s voice rang in her ear. Ji Yaoge was pulled into an embrace, Bai Yan arriving just in time.

    They retreated several steps, turning to see the other corpse returning from chasing the rabbit, attacking stealthily.

    Bai Yan grunted, blood scenting the air. Ji Yaoge, unsure of his injury, asked, "Are you alright?"

    "I''ll manage," he spat blood, struggling to stand.

    The corpse lunged again. Bai Yan, one arm holding Ji Yaoge, cast a fire spell with the other, but it was quickly extinguished. Ji Yaoge gritted her teeth, channeling her remaining spiritual energy into the jade ring and throwing it.

    A violet me ignited, striking the corpse''s shoulder and sending it flying. The ring fell to the ground.

    Ji Yaoge supported Bai Yan, watching the corpse stagger to its feet, then suddenly stop attacking. It picked up the jade ring, confusion on its usually nk face.

    Ji Yaoge''s mind raced, "Return and tell your master that this ce is imed by the Tianxiao Sect. If youe again, don''t me our Master Xiao for taking action."

    Ghost realm against ghost realm¡ªshe''d borrow Xiao Wu Heng''s name for now.

    As expected, hearing Xiao Wu Heng''s name, the corpse trembled, then pocketed the jade ring and retreated, likely to report to Bai Li Qing.

    With Xiao Wu Heng''s name to scare them off, Ji Yaoge thought she might finally have some peace.

    ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª

    Ji Yaoge helped Bai Yan to a nearby cliff, propping him against a rock.

    Bai Yan, injured while saving her, had w marks on his back, his clothes in tatters, revealing three ckish-blue wounds. His hair was disheveled, lips pale, blood at the corners. He sat cross-legged, healing. Ji Yaoge wiped the blood from his lips with a clean cloth, waiting for him to recover.

    "Ugh!" Bai Yan soon opened his eyes, spitting blood onto the ground.

    "How are you?" Ji Yaoge asked urgently.

    Bai Yan''s face was worse than before, breath weak. He shook his head, "Meridians blocked, energy reversing. I can''t do anything."

    Ji Yaoge frowned deeply, feeling his pulse with a thread of spiritual awareness.

    Indeed, his meridians were blocked, energy unable to flow, the situation dire.

    "If only we had Tongtian Pills," she mused.

    Bai Yan, leaning weakly, nced at the blood on the ground, lips moving as if to speak, "Tongtian Pills... never mind..."

    The best medicine for Qi Refining and Foundation Establishment cultivators, rare even on Wanren Mountain, was almost impossible to find here. The entire Cangling Pavilion had only one.

    "I can get the Tongtian Pill from the Cangling Pavilion," Ji Yaoge said, holding his pulse.

    Bai Yan''s eyes widened in surprise.

    Ji Yaoge released his hand, standing tall, "Stop pretending. Your energy reversal isn''t because of the Yin Corpses but because you forcibly advanced using drugs. You''re no longer at the Qi Refining stage; you''ve broken through to Foundation Establishment. Did I say anything wrong?"

    Bai Yan remained silent, his gaze growing cold. His lips curled into a smile, all previous affection and warmth falling away like withered petals, revealing the poisonous thorns beneath.

    Hurting others and himself.

 Vol. 1 - Chapter 22 - The Ultimate Betrayal

    Chapter 22: The Ultimate Betrayal

    Ji Yaoge stood quietly, waiting for him to speak.

    The evening wind howled atop the cliff, ruffling Bai Yan''s hair into disarray. The sky, not yet fully dark, disyed a faint crescent moon, much like his pale lips.

    He seemed bothered by his messy hair and raised his hand to push it back. With his hand still in his hair, he pressed his forehead against his knuckles andughed, "What are you talking about, Senior Sister? I don''t understand."

    "Bai Yan, blocked meridians and reversed energy flow can lead to your body exploding. Do you want to die?" Ji Yaoge remained calm andposed, neither in a hurry nor angry.

    Bai Yan leaned back against the cliff wall, some hair falling loose again. Far from being angry about being exposed, heughed even more brightly, his lips stained with blood, making him look almost demonic.

    "When did you find out? Or did you regain your memory?" He stopped pretending.

    "No," Ji Yaoge answered coolly. "I started suspecting when the medicine went missing from Cangling Pavilion."

    The theft was the work of the previous Ji Yaoge. She didn''t sell the stolen medicine or use it herself, so it had to be for someone else. "Ji Yaoge" was a low-level cultivator, quiet and unassuming, with few close friends. Observing her interactions, the only ones she was close to were Jiao Tao and Bai Yan. However, their cultivation levels didn''t match. The stolen medicine required a cultivator at least at the seventh level of Qi Refinement to use. Neither Jiao Tao nor Bai Yan was at that level.

    So, even though she suspected Bai Yan, she couldn''t be certain until he attacked Ren Zhongping. That level of skill wasn''t something a Qi Refining cultivator could possess. When she examined his body earlier, she confirmed he had long surpassed the Foundation Establishment stage but had been hiding it.

    He had only been in the sect for twelve years. Reaching Foundation Establishment in twelve years was almost as fast as her own progress, but unlike her, he had no exceptional talent or sect support.

    The only exnation was that he had forcibly enhanced his cultivation with drugs.

    "Twelve years to reach Foundation Establishment, a speed few in the entire cultivation world could match. To avoid jealousy and suspicion from fellow disciples, you chose to hide your cultivation. Everything was going smoothly until you didn''t realize forcibly enhancing your cultivation with drugs could cause your meridians to block and your energy to reverse, risking your body exploding. So you set your sights on the Tongtian Pill, the only medicine you could ess that could cure this condition," Ji Yaoge continued to reveal the truth.

    "So what? Senior Sister and I were in love and had nned to be Daopanions. She stole the medicine willingly. What are you trying to say? That I used her?" Bai Yan coughed a few times, looking indifferent.

    Ji Yaoge remembered the rebellious junior brother from Wanren Mountain, even punished, always with that same nonchnt attitude.

    Talking about dual cultivation brought her second suspicion.

    From the moment she met Bai Yan, he had been particrly affectionate toward her. Recently, he had even suggested bing Daopanions. It all seemed genuine¡ªhis feelings, the intimacy of lovers, even the jealousy of a man. But he didn''t know that the previous Ji Yaogecked feelings.

    Gao Badou mentioned that the previous Ji Yaoge was a "Double Absolute Body" (Ë«¾øÌå).

    She could never have loved Bai Yan.

    So if there was no emotional attachment, the only reason to be Daopanions was for cultivation. But Ji Yaoge''s physique wasn''t suitable for cultivation; no male cultivator would want to marry her. Her only useful trait was her ess to the Cangling Pavilion.

    "Dual cultivation might be true, but it was never out of love. It was merely a transaction," Ji Yaoge said.

    She helped him steal medicine for cultivation; he agreed to be her Daopanion and protect her.

    That''s all it was.

    The previous Ji Yaoge wasn''t foolish; she was actually quite smart and pragmatic. This was evident from how she managed Cangling Pavilion so well and stole medicine without anyone knowing. A smart woman like her wouldn''t willingly live a life of mediocrity if she could help it, but since she couldn''t cultivate, she had to find another way.

    Jiao Tao had said that if one had low cultivation and wanted a better life, the best bet was to find a powerful backer. Even if cultivation remained unattainable, at least life would be stable within a limited lifespan. Ji Yaoge, being too ordinary, couldn''t find a powerful backer, so she had to raise one herself.

    She helped him cultivate; he provided protection.

    The so-called deep affection was just a facade for their respective ambitions and goals.

    Both of them were motivated by worldly and selfish calctions.

    This world was crueler than Ji Yaoge had imagined. Her previous life had been toofortable and secure to understand why Bai Li Qing would betray her for a body or why Bai Yan would use emotions as a weapon for a few pills.

    But now, she gradually understood.

    The dangers of demonic beasts were nothingpared to theplexities of the human heart.

    The Tongtian Pill was the wedge that created a rift in their transaction.

    With Ji Yaoge''s pragmatic personality, why would she risk everything to steal the only Tongtian Pill from the Cangling Pavilion for Bai Yan?

    But without the Tongtian Pill, Bai Yan''s life was in danger.

    "So when I got injured and lost my memory, you thought it was your chance." Ji Yaoge squatted in front of him, her clear eyes devoid of the familiarity he once knew. "Rtionships based solely on mutual benefit are hard to maintain, and you couldn''t control me. So you nned to make me fall in love with you while I was amnesiac, hoping I would steal the Tongtian Pill out of love, like you just tried with your act. Bai Yan, you could have easily blocked that Yin Ghost''s strike. You didn''t need to save me with your life, did you?"

    Most people believe that once emotions are involved, rationality will be clouded, causing individuals to do irrational things for love. He hoped she would steal the Tongtian Pill out of love.

    Because once in love, she''d do it without hesitation.

    Unfortunately, Ji Yaoge was now more rational than ever. Her heart was like a clear mirror, seeing everything inly and detached. This made her seem cold and unfeeling. Ji Yaoge didn''t like this about herself. Being emotional had its benefits; at least emotions were real, and so were the feelings and experiences.

    Cultivation is about enlightenment. If one forcibly cuts off emotions and desires, how can they "enlighten"? Only by experiencing them can one truly understand.

    That was the essence of the "Enchanting Bone Technique" (ÃÄ¹Ç¾÷) and her current realization.

    Bai Yan turned his head, looking at the distant mountains. After a long silence, he supported himself on the sharp cliff wall and stood up. His injuries were severe, making even standing difficult. Coughing hard, he spat out blood and wiped his mouth with his sleeve. Stumbling, he began to walk back the way they came.

    "Where are you going?" Ji Yaoge asked.

    "Now that you''ve seen through me, what''s the point of staying? I''ll return to the sect and find a ce to die," he said without turning back, slowly walking along the cliff wall.

    Ji Yaoge watched him, his back covered in shocking wounds, but said nothing.

    After a few steps, he stopped abruptly and asked with his back to her, "Can I ask you something? Ren Zhongping said he killed you. What happened?"

    "Your Senior Sister Ji is dead. I''m not her. Ren Zhongping used a Yin Soul Technique to extract her soul. I was possessed, and my soul escaped, finding her empty body after her soul was taken..." Her calm voice narrated the events as if they were the most ordinary thing.

    Bai Yan''s hand, gripping the cliff wall, tightened suddenly. His knuckles were cut by the sharp stones, and blood dripped down.

    "Is that so?" His tone was faint, "So she really is dead."

    Even though he had guessed, hearing it confirmed was different.

    Ji Yaoge took two steps toward him, and he shouted, "Don''te closer!"

    "Don''te closer..." His second warning was weak. He leaned his head against the cliff wall, shoulders trembling uncontrobly, andughed, "Hahaha... that fool really is dead?"

    Hisugh was unrestrained.

    Ji Yaoge listened silently.

    After a longugh, he spoke again, "Do you know how Ren Zhongping tricked her the day she died?" He paused, then added, "It was with the Tongtian Pill."

    After speaking, heughed again, his voice uneven, "Do you think she was foolish?"

    Ji Yaoge remained silent. Gao Badou had said she was a Double Absolute Body, born without emotions. What aboutter? Did she ever fall for Bai Yan? Or at least have a fleeting affection? This question would never have an answer, but Ji Yaoge was curious. She was missing part of her soul and hadn''t thought about Gu Xingzhi for a long time. If she were to meet him one day, she didn''t know what would happen.

    Heughed for a long time without turning around. Only when he couldn''t stand anymore and began to slide down did he stopughing, "Hey, I did genuinely want to be Daopanions with her. I wanted to protect her. Everything I promised was true. Do you believe me?"

    This had nothing to do with love. Twelve years ofpanionship, support in their humble beginnings, the bonds formed over countless days... His promises were never false.

    "I believe you," Ji Yaoge said without hesitation.

    Despite all the ugliness, there was always a sliver of truth left untouched¡ªthat was the initial intention.

    Just now, she had felt his emotions. She hadn''t reached the level of easily sensing others'' feelings, especially not with someone as cunning and guarded as Bai Yan. But just now... his emotions had beenid bare, unable to be concealed.

    To Ji Yaoge, it felt like standing in a vibrant field of blooming flowers during spring, but feeling as if she were in the dead of winter, icy cold. What she saw was false; what she felt inside was the truth.

    Crying for joy,ughing for sorrow.

    Hisughter was the epitome of grief and pain.

    "Thank you," he said, supporting himself on the wall and taking another step.

    "I can heal your injuries," came the calm voice behind him.

    Bai Yan stopped again, but Ji Yaoge walked briskly past him.

    Her voice was indifferent, "Don''t put on that act in front of me again. I don''t like it. Let''s go. We''ve been out too long. We should check on Ren Zhongping."

    He was stunned but saw her walking ahead, neither helping nor looking at him.

    So, she didn''t see the vulnerability and fear in his red eyes.

    ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª

    The night was deep, heavy with dew, and the mountains were shrouded in moonlight.

    A shadownded in the forest where Ji Yaoge and Bai Yan had fought earlier. The forest was pitch ck, with no moonlight reaching in, yet he moved effortlessly, as if it were daylight.

    After a few steps, he squatted down, reaching his hand to the ground. He picked up a bit of ash and sniffed it before shaking it off.

    "Yin Ghost?" He murmured, his voice low and pleasant.

    "Heh..." After a moment, heughed again, "Hiding in Wanhua after all these years. No wonder I couldn''t find you in the ghost realm. Interesting..."

    ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª

    The crescent moon hung low, and the countless peaks of Wanren Mountain seemed dusted with frost, appearing soft and gentle from afar.

    Bai Li Qing stood on the Star-Gazing tform, wrapped in a cloak. The wind chilled her cheeks but couldn''tpare to the coldness in her heart.

    The surroundings were silent and empty, except for the person kneeling in the magic circle before her. Their face was deathly pale, movements stiff¡ªnone other than the Yin Ghost Bai Yan and Ji Yaoge had let go.

    The Yin Ghost held up a jade ring.

    "A Tianxiao Sect''s Violet me Ring. Did Xiao Wu Henge himself?" She muttered, gripping the ring tightly, almost crushing it.

    Fear flickered across her face, quickly reced by overwhelming hatred.

    The stars twinkled, the gxy far and vibrant, more vivid and enchanting than the barren skies of memory, yet she still longed for that ruggednd.

    It was the homnd she could never return to.

 Vol. 1 - Chapter 23 - Return to the Original

    Chapter 23: Return to the Original

    Human emotions are aplex and subtle thing, often directly reflecting one''s love, hatred, and loathing. These feelings arise from the heart¡ªthey can be hidden, but they do not lie.

    Ji Yaoge watched Bai Yan, who stood in the stone chamber with clenched fists. She sensed his sudden outburst of intense emotions, he was filled with hatred, but his face remained expressionless. Even his eyes were calm.

    She started to understand the words from the "Enchanting Bone Technique" (¡¶ÃÄ¹Ç¾÷¡·) and what Ye Long had said while teaching her the Immortal Demon Dance.

    "Do you want to kill him for revenge?" she asked him.

    Bai Yan looked at Ren Zhongping, who was giggling foolishly on the bed. His raised hand turned into a palm, lifted high, then lowered, lifted again, repeating three times before he finally let it drop helplessly.

    "Kill him, and things will go wrong. I''m not that impulsive."

    In the end, he let it go.

    Rationality prevailed.

    Ji Yaoge found it interesting. The intense anger and hatred that came as fiercely as the tide had retreated just as suddenly. Various feelings interacted, driving emotions that in turn dictated behavior. If one day, she could control a person''s emotions, would that mean she couldpletely control their joy, anger, sorrow, and happiness? And thereby control their heart?

    "Who are you, really?" Bai Yan, now calm, sat by the table, massaging his shoulder as he asked her.

    "I can''t tell you," she replied. Ji Yaoge wasn''t about to reveal a life-and-death secret so easily.

    Bai Yan didn''t insist but said, "Can I... still call you Senior Sister Ji?"

    "Whatever," Ji Yaoge did not care about such things.

    Bai Yan looked at her. Though the person in appearance and voice was the same, she was now someone entirely different. Calling her "Senior Sister" seemed as if the real person had never left his side. The silent, cautious yet intelligent Ji Yaoge had struggled to survive in the cultivation world. They had both schemed against each other, but he never expected her to disappear so quietly one day.

    Even saying farewell hadn''t been possible.

    "Take the medicine. We''ll take him to see Senior Sister Ye Long," Ji Yaoge stood beside Ren Zhongping and, seeing Bai Yan lost in thought, threw a bottle of medicine at him.

    Bai Yan caught it, seeing it was the same Laiyuan Elixir (ÅàÔªµ¤) Yelong had given her.

    "It''s for your back injuries," she urged, "Hurry up."

    Bai Yan didn''t speak. He removed the wax seal from the porcin bottle, poured all the pills into his mouth, and threw the empty bottle aside. Sitting cross-legged, he regted his energy flow to enhance the medicinal effects. Ji Yaoge stayed by Ren Zhongping''s side, speaking to him. After bing mad, he obeyed Ji Yaoge''s every word. She crafted a story to conceal her true identity, making sure Ren Zhongping memorized it.

    After a stick of incense''s time, Bai Yan opened his eyes. The pain in his chest had eased, and the injuries caused by the Yin Ghost had lessened. Meanwhile, Ji Yaoge continued questioning Ren Zhongping, ensuring their story was perfect. Bai Yan joined them, and the three finalized their version before Ji Yaoge led Ren Zhongping to Yelong''s cave.

    ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª

    Ye Long listened to Ji Yaoge''s report with a solemn expression and did not speak. Ji Yaoge and Bai Yan were both a bit uneasy. Ren Zhongping was Ye Long''s cultivationpanion in the Nanming Affection Technique (ÄÏÃ÷ºÏ»¶¾÷), and although they weren''t Daopanions, their rtionship was deeper than most. Seeing him in this foolish state thanks to them, who knew if Yelong would be angered.

    "This is a serious matter. Follow me to see Madam Yingshuang," Yelong said without me, her eyes just ncing over Ren Zhongping.

    Ren Zhongping seemed frightened by her, shrinking behind Ji Yaoge and clutching her sleeve pitifully.

    "Yes," Ji Yaoge and Bai Yan responded in unison.

    Yelong led the three of them to Yingshuang''s Ju''an Hall.

    Ju''an Hall still wafted with Madam Yingshuang''s elegant fragrance, fresh and refined. When they arrived, Yue Xiao was preparing Clear Dew Fragrance Pills (ÇåÂ¶ÏãÍè) for Yingshuang. Upon seeing them, he just nced at Yelong.

    Ye Long awkwardly scratched her nose and led the group to greet Yingshuang.

    Yingshuang reclined on a couch with her eyes closed, ying with a string of moon-white beads. Her long ck hair fell down her back, looking even more charming than thest time.

    "Master, the matter you asked Senior Brother and me to monitor has had some progress," Yelong whispered as she approached.

    Ji Yaoge and Bai Yan''s hearts skipped a beat. Ye Long had been silent during their report¡ªcould it be she had already known?

    Ye Long saw Ji Yaoge''s confused look, nced at Yingshuang''s face, and exined, "Two months ago, the Mountain Lord of Tiyu State secretly informed various sects that ghost realm cultivators had appeared in Tiyu State and might be rted to Xiao Wuheng. He ordered us to be extra vignt."

    Ji Yaoge was surprised, but the feeling soon faded. Since the person who saved her had already identified the Yin Soul Technique (É·ÐgŸ’êŽ) at the time, it was natural to suspect the ghost realm and Xiao Wuheng. Given his friendship with the Tiyu State Mountain Lord, it wasn''t surprising that the matter was reported.

    "What happened?" Yingshuang''s slender brows furrowed. She sat up, pressing the bead string onto the couch as she asked.

    Ye Long gave Ji Yaoge a look, and Ji Yaoge stepped forward with a bow and lowered eyes, recounting the incident with Ren Zhongping. She mentioned how he had tried to capture her soul but failed, leaving her injured and amnesiac. Upon returning to the sect, fearing she would recall and expose everything, he tried to kill her again but was discovered by Bai Yan. Together, they subdued Ren Zhongping and learned about the ghost realm from him.

    "Unfortunately, he didn''t know who set the spell and couldn''t confirm if Xiao Wuheng was in Tiyu State. As for what they were looking for, neither Bai Shidi nor I could get an answer. Every time we asked, he fell silent." Ji Yaoge omitted her knowledge of the "Seal Curse" (·âÖä), a high-level technique that someone of her rank shouldn''t know. After describing everything, she bowed deeply. "Disciple and Bai Shidi took matters into our own hands, devising a n against Senior Brother Ren. We ask for Madam''s pardon."

    Bai Yan also bowed deeply, ncing sideways at her¡ªthis new Senior Sister had a talent for lying with a straight face, even better than his own skills.

    Yingshuang did not immediately respond, creating a moment of silence in the hall. Only when Ji Yaoge noticed a pair ofke-blue pointed shoes in front of her did she realize Yingshuang had moved beside her. Lifting her head, she met a pair of gentle eyes filled with warmth.

    "You said Ren Zhongping used the Yin Soul Technique on you. From what I know, this technique can extract a person''s soul. I''m curious, why did you return with only amnesia?" Yingshuang''s tone was extremely gentle, drifting into the heart as she spoke.

    Ji Yaoge''s heart tightened; she felt as if facing a formidable enemy. Her face remained calm as she looked Ying Shuang in the eye and replied, "Madam, disciple couldn''t understand it either. My memories are still fragmented. I only vaguely recall a powerful pressure suddenly appearing. I guess Senior Brother Ren was scared by that pressure and stopped the technique, allowing my soul to survive but leaving me injured and amnesiac as a result."

    "A powerful pressure?"

    "Yes, extremely strong, even... stronger than you, Madam."

    This potentially offensive statement didn''t anger Ying Shuang. Instead, sheughed softly, saying, "Oh, I see. You''re the little girl the elder Xianzun saved by ident. You are fortunate indeed."

    "Xianzun?" Yelong and Yuexiao echoed in surprise.

    "A friend of the Mountain Lord, a great power in the Immortal World. He was the first to discover the ghost realm activities. He mentioned saving her when he coincidentally encountered her being attacked. It was her good fortune," Yingshuang smiled, but the warmth in her gaze turned cold and indifferent.

    Ji Yaoge felt a chill down her spine. Yingshuang had subtly tried to use enchantment on her but fortunately, she wasn''t affected. Listening to Ye Long''s earlier mention about their prior knowledge of ghost realm activities, she quickly changed her story, leveraging the "Xianzun" angle to dispel Yingshuang''s suspicion.

    Luckily, that person hadn''t disclosed the full truth about her possession either.

    Up until now, she only knew his surname was Yuan, and he was from Taichumen, a highly revered figure whom her mentor, Xie Lengyue, had personally sought...

    Suddenly, a name shed in her mind.

    Yuan Huan?

    An elder of Taichumen and the master of the Wuyue Pagoda.

    If she had met him before, she would have obediently called him Uncle Yuan.

    "What about your back injury?" Yingshuang asked, turning to Bai Yan after Ji Yaoge finished.

    Bai Yan quickly answered, "Senior Sister and I discovered someone spying when dealing with Senior Brother Ren, so I chased them out. They were responsible for this injury. Those two were peculiar, with ghostly pale faces, eating corpses." She faked, he faked.

    This time, Yingshuang didn''t use enchantment, only inspecting Bai Yan''s back injury. Meanwhile, Ye Long spoke up: "I remember those two. A disciple reported seeing them sneakily contacting Senior Brother Ren outside the mountain gate two days ago. When I sent someone to investigate, they disappeared."

    "This is a ghost w wound, also something from the ghost realm," Yingshuang frowned, puzzled. "But ghost ws are an exclusive technique of the Nortnd Yang Sect in the ghost realm. Xiao Wuheng''s Tianxiao Sect and the Yang Sect, divided between the north and south of the ghost realm, are at each other''s throats. Why would they both appear here suddenly?"

    Ji Yaoge remained silent, pondering. It seemed Bai Li Qing had ties not only to the ghost realm but also to the Yang Sect.

    After Yingshuang finished her inquiry, she looked at Ye Long, "What do you think, Ye Long?"

    Ye Long sped her hands, "Master, I believe the urgent matter is to inform the Mountain Lord and other sect leaders. If the ghost realm and Xiao Wuheng are truly here, our sect alone may not withstand them. As for Junior Sister Ji and Bai Shidi, I believe they speak truthfully..." She nced at Ji Yaoge with a hint of apology, "Prior to this, I tested her body and cultivation under the guise of teaching her dance. There was nothing unusual."

    Yuexiao raised his eyebrows, softly humming. Ji Yaoge saw through it¡ªYe Long had suspected her for a while.

    Yingshuang smiled again, "You didn''t mention it earlier. Yaoge, I heard you reached the twelfth form while performing the Immortal Demon Dance (ÏÉÄ§Îè) recently?"

    "It''s thanks to Senior Sister Ye Long''s teaching," Ji Yaoge quickly replied.

    "There''s no need to be afraid. More than cultivation, this dance emphasizesprehension. You grasped it quickly and could perform the Immortal Demon Dance''s initial form. It''s not strange. It''s just a pity that your body..." Yingshuang gently stroked Ji Yaoge''s head, her young face showing a rare affection, "The two of you have done a great service this time. Is there anything you desire?"

    Bai Yan''s face lit up with joy. He nced at Ji Yaoge, who slowly nodded. Only then did he speak, "Thank you, Madam. Shamelessly, I wish to ask for a Tongtian Pill."

    The Tongtian Pill, though rare, was of no use to Ying Shuang anymore, stored in Cangling Pavilion for rewarding disciples. Without questioning the reason, she returned to the couch and said, "Alright." Then, looking at Ji Yaoge, she asked, "And what about you, Yaoge?" Considering her difficulty in cultivation, Yingshuang quickly added, "Your dance is excellent. Would you follow Yuexiao and lead the dance at the Double Cultivation Gathering in two months?"

    Just as Yuexiao was about to object, Ji Yaoge spoke up, "Yaogecks talent and struggles with cultivation, but I do not dare to ck off. Lately, I''ve felt some fluctuations in my state of mind. I would like to ask Madam to relieve me of my duties within the sect so I may focus on cultivation for a while. Perhaps... I may break through."

    With Ren Zhongping''s madness, Bai Li Qing likely wouldn''te for a while. And with the ghost realm matter handled by the sect, it was the perfect time for undistracted cultivation.

    If all went well, she might reach Foundation Establishment within two months.

 Vol. 1 - Chapter 24 - Stone Gambling

    Chapter 24: Stone Gambling

    Yingshuang was surprised but still agreed to Ji Yaoge''s request. Ji Yaoge then resigned from all her duties within the sect and did not return to Cangling Pavilion. For her, the greatest danger had temporarily passed, making it the perfect time to focus fully on cultivation.

    "Are you really going into seclusion?" Bai Yan toyed with the purple crystal bottle holding the Tongtian Pill, raising an eyebrow as he questioned Ji Yaoge, who had justpleted her handover from Cangling Pavilion.

    She could smell the scent of alcohol from him. His eyes were bloodshot, but his pupils remained clear as ever.

    "Yes," she replied, then asked, "Have you been drinking?" After leaving Yingshuang''s ce yesterday, he had gone off on his own and only came to Cangling Pavilion at noon today to collect the Tongtian Pill.

    Bai Yan didn''t answer. He stretchedzily before moving close to her, slinging an arm around her shoulder in his usual carefree manner, "Senior Sister, let''s go into seclusion together."

    Ji Yaoge eyed his arm with disdain, saying nothing. He released his grip with a sheepish smile, "Sorry, old habits die hard."

    "Don''t get your hopes up too high. The Tongtian Pill can only provide temporary relief. Your meridians are damaged. If you want to cultivate steadily, you need to stop using drugs for rapid cultivation. You should rebuild your foundation by retraining from the basic physical strengthening exercises," Ji Yaoge finally spoke.

    Bai Yan walked alongside her, showing no concern, "That would be too slow."

    "Cultivation is a long process. Given your talent, even if it''s slow, reaching the Core Formation stage should not be an issue. Why rush?" Unconsciously, Ji Yaoge seemed to have reverted to her previous authoritative self.

    "Of course, I''m in a hurry. I''m afraid that by the time I struggle to achieve something, the person I worked so hard for won''t be around anymore." Bai Yan licked his lips, his narrow eyes squinting slightly.

    "Oh?" Ji Yaoge turned to look at him.

    "I''ll tell you more about it when there''s a chance," Bai Yan didn''t divulge further.

    Ji Yaoge didn''t press him; everyone had an unspeakable past, she thought.

    "If you go into seclusion now, you''ll miss the Dual Cultivation Duel Conference. This time, Dao friends from several other mountains areing. It''s not like previous years," Bai Yan said, walking backward so his height was level with hers, trying to entice her.

    "I''m not interested." Ji Yaoge kept her eyes forward and continued walking.

    The Dual Cultivation Duel Conference of Chixiu Pce, held once every ten years, was not only about selecting suitable Daopanions among disciples but also a duelpetition within the sect. The winner could receive sect treasures or even be chosen by Yingshuang to be a close guest. In the resource-scarce Shuangxia Valley, this was a grand event, especially with other sects being invited this year, promising even more excitement.

    But to Ji Yaoge, it was meaningless. Her only concern was improving her own cultivation level. However, there was another matter she was more interested in.

    "I n to visit Deer Valley soon. Do you know the way?"

    Deer Valley was the location of the cultivation marketce within Tiyu State. Ji Yaoge wanted to procure some items to ensure her Foundation Establishment went smoothly.

    "I know the way! Senior Sister wants to go to the market? I''ll take you," Bai Yan responded eagerly.

    ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª

    They set off early the next morning.

    Bai Yan had somehow acquired a slightly worn flying sword, which he yed with enthusiastically in Shuangxia Valley. Ji Yaoge eyed the battered flying sword, skeptical, "Are you sure it''s fine?"

    "Don''t worry, leave it to me," Bai Yan winked with his right eye, gracefully leaping onto the flying sword. He flew a small circle in mid-air before stopping in front of her, extending his hand, "Senior Sister, hop on!"

    Ji Yaoge saw that the sword seemed unstable but seeing Bai Yan''s confidence, she decided not to say anything. With a light tap of her toe, she grasped his hand and jumped onto the flying sword behind him. The sword, bearing both their weights, wobbled and sank abruptly. Ji Yaoge couldn''t help but grab onto Bai Yan''s clothing, "Are you sure this is safe?"

    She didn''t want to survive the attacks of Bai Li Qing only to fall to her death from a flying sword.

    How humiliating.

    "It''s safe, with me here," Bai Yan said confidently and immediately wielded the sword with a charm.

    The sword wobbled as it ascended, hovering for a moment in the air before suddenly shooting forward like a bolt of lightning, startling both Bai Yan and Ji Yaoge. The wind whistled past their ears, filling their mouths and nostrils, and their hair was blown into disarray. After the initial panic, Bai Yan seemed to get the hang of it, stabilizing the sword. Feeling proud, he nced at the arms tightly wrapped around his waist, grinning, "Senior Sister seemed unfazed with her past cultivation prowess; could she be scared of heights?"

    <ins ss="adsbygoogle " data-ad-client="ca-pub-1251668167683017" data-ad-slot="9726118107" data-adyout="in-article" data-adyout-key="" data-ad-format="fluid" data-full-width-responsive="false" style="disy: block; text-align: center;"></ins>

    Ji Yaoge''s face burned with embarrassment, "I''m not afraid of heights; I''m afraid of you dropping me." Lacking the cultivation level to wield a sword herself, she had no choice.

    Bai Yan seemed to enjoy her closeness, his lips curling into a satisfied smile. Just as he turned his head to tease her further, he identally bumped into her forehead. His cool lips brushed against her smooth skin; both of them froze for a moment. Before they could recover, the flying sword plummeted as if out of control.

    "Damn it, focus on wielding the sword properly!" Ji Yaoge had no choice but to wrap one arm tightly around him while pinching his arm with the other, "Focus your mind, steady your breath, let your intent guide the sword!"

    She recited the sword-wielding incantations, which Bai Yan understood, finally focusing and controlling the sword properly.

    After some turbulent maneuvers, narrowly skimming past mountain ridges, they finally stabilized. Bai Yan continued flying higher, his face slightly embarrassed, not daring to lose concentration again. The mist swirled around them, the mountain waves undting beneath like a rolling sea, sweeping past their legs as they quickly reached Deer Valley.

    ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª

    The cultivation market in Deer Valley opened every six months, running for half a month. Ji Yaoge and Bai Yan arrivedte; only two days were left before the market closed. Many cultivators had already left, and only low-quality or questionable items remained.

    "We came at the perfect time; we might find some overlooked treasures," Bai Yan remained optimistic, parading around with his worn flying sword.

    The market was simple; cultivators spread out their wares on pieces of cloth. No matter how valuable or rare, justying them out like that diminished their worth. Due to it nearing closing time, many stalls were already gone, and fewer stalls meant more space to browse. As new customers arrived, eager sellers abandoned their pride, rushing to surround Bai Yan and Ji Yaoge.

    "Fellow Taoist, the elixirs I have here are not of high grade, but they are pure. Would you like to take a look? I''ll give you a discount seeing you look familiar."

    "Youngdy, I have some top-quality beautifying powder and a cloud brocade dress. Since the market is closing soon, I''ll offer them at half price. Why don''t you try them?"

    ...

    Bai Yan and Ji Yaoge struggled through the crowd of merchants, finally finding a spot to set down their own cloth andy out the items they had taken from Ren Zhongping. The surrounding merchants, seeing they were there topete, quickly dispersed.

    After helping Bai Yan arrange the items, Ji Yaoge stood up and looked around.

    "Senior Sister wants to browse around?" Bai Yan saw through her intentions.

    "Yes," Ji Yaoge nodded.

    "Go ahead, leave this to me," Bai Yan sat cross-legged behind their cloth, posing with a mysterious air to attract customers.

    Seeing his demeanor, Ji Yaoge knew he was familiar with this ce and said no more, walking off.

    ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª

    The market had a wide variety of items, but Ji Yaoge didn''t find anything of interest after walking around. She slipped into a nearby grove and in the shadows, opened the jade tube. A golden light shot out, and the tube was empty. Gao Badou had vanished without a trace.

    She had thrown some of Ren Zhongping''s cultivation manuals to Gao Badou a few days ago, but the bug, having seen much, had already read those books and couldn''t absorb their spiritual essence, leaving him frustrated. Today, Ji Yaoge brought him here to make up for that. She had noticed many vendors selling cultivation manuals in the Deer Valley market, so Gao Badou should be able to find something new.

    Even if high-grade manuals were scarce, it was better than having nothing.

    After releasing Gao Badou, Ji Yaoge returned to the market to continue browsing. The hawkers'' voices rang out intermittently, and the bargaining echoed back and forth. Normally aloof cultivators argued vehemently over the difference of a few spirit stones, their faces flushed and voices hoarse. Despite their usually high status, they now resembledmon folk haggling over every penny. But in resource-scarcends, cultivation was already challenging. Even the tiniest calctions were a struggle for survival. She was born into good fortune, while they fought in the marketce¡ªboth fortunate in their own ways. The path to immortality was varied; no single route was straightforward.

    "Youngdy, would you like to look at my weapons? This Piercing Sunset Sword is perfect for someone like you."

    After walking a few steps, Ji Yaoge was stopped by a plump, rosy-faced cultivator who introduced himself as "Old Tong" and handed her a sword three fingers wide. The sword was thin, sharp, and scarlet in color with a distinct lightning pattern in the center, hence the name "Piercing Sunset." It seemed like a good sword.

    Ji Yaoge remembered Bai Yan''s broken sword and thought about finding a suitable sword for herself once she reached Foundation Establishment. So she asked, "How much for this sword?"

    "Youngdy, you have good eyes! This Piercing Sunset Sword is the treasure of my stall, forged from Wild Wave Gold. It''s lightweight yet sharp. Listen..." He lightly flicked the de, producing a clear, long resonance, "Hear that? It''s a sword with a spirit. Once your cultivation improves and you attune to it, you can cultivate a sword spirit."

    "How much?" Ji Yaoge asked, not wanting to listen to his rambling.

    "Hey, it''s not expensive, just five hundred spirit stones," Old Tong said, opening his palm wide. Seeing her remain motionless, he added, "Youngdy, for five hundred spirit stones, you won''t find a sword like this anywhere else. Look at this lightning pattern¡ªit''s the essence of this sword."

    "Forging a sword from Wild Wave Gold requires Skyfire refinement. Skyfire is drawn from lightning, and only the purest Skyfire can forge the best Wild Wave Swords. Conversely, if the Skyfire is impure, it leaves a lightning pattern on the de. This Piercing Sunset Sword has such a thick lightning pattern, it must be a wed sword. You''re selling a wed sword for five hundred spirit stones?"

    Ji Yaoge smiled as she spoke, while Old Tong''s face grew increasingly grim. The technique of forging swords from Wild Wave Gold was advanced;mon low-level cultivators wouldn''t know it. That''s why he had bought the defective sword cheaply and intended to scam an unsuspecting novice at the market. He didn''t expect the high price to deter buyers and finally caught a naive-looking girl, only for his trick to be exposed.

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    "This is just a minor w. Can you call it waste? If it had no lightning pattern, could you buy it for five hundred spirit stones?" Old Tong didn''t give up, continuing his sales pitch.

    Ji Yaoge nced at his stall, pointing to three other items without furtherment, "Enough nonsense. I''ll take these four items for five hundred spirit stones. If it''s a deal, fine, otherwise, forget it."

    Old Tong saw her choices and immediately called out, "Youngdy, you''re cutting me to the bone!"

    She had picked a square cauldron, an inferior Leiqing Stone, and an impure Phoenix Wood. The cauldron was called "Qiongxi," a regr bronze cauldron used for crafting treasures, and an entry-level item.

    "Will you sell it or not?" Ji Yaoge asked.

    Old Tong gritted his teeth and put on a pained expression, "Fine, I''ll consider today a special friendship offer. Five hundred spirit stones, you got a deal, and I''ll pack up."

    With most of his goods unseble, five hundred spirit stones weren''t a bad deal¡ªat least he wouldn''t lose money. Knowing he had met a knowledgeable customer, he stopped haggling and quickly packed the goods. Ji Yaoge paid promptly and had him move the items up front.

    As Old Tong ced the Qiongxi Cauldron at her feet and wiped his sweat, he noticed her curiously eying a noisy stall in the distance. He smiled, "Youngdy interested in trying that?"

    "What''s that?" Ji Yaoge inquired, hearing the enthusiastic cheers from there only moments ago, now surrounded by curious people.

    "That''s stone gambling!" Seeing her confusion, Old Tong exined earnestly, "Unlike worldly stone gambling which bets on jade, this gambles on cultivation manuals. The stall owner is a collector with many rare manuals he can''t bear to sell. So, he devised a way to seal them in Snow Pine Jade and brought them to the market for people to gamble on. Each attempt costs one hundred spirit stones, and you can pick any Snow Pine Jade. Whether the manual inside is worth a hundred spirit stones depends on your luck. In the ten days I''ve been here, only ten people have won manuals worth more than a hundred spirit stones, the best being one worth two thousand, but only one person got that."

    Good things were there but were very rare, all relying on luck.

    After storing her purchases, Ji Yaoge thanked Old Tong and walked to the stone gambling stall. The stall was small, and because someone had just won a good manual, many cultivators eager to try their luck surrounded it. Ji Yaoge stood on tiptoe to see arge te filled with fist-sized Snow Pine Jades. The stall owner, a thick-eared man, cheerfully encouraged people to gamble, "One hundred spirit stones per try. Don''t rush; plenty to go around."

    All around him, people handed over their spirit stones and chose their Snow Pine Jades, opening them on the spot. Unfortunately, none found good items again. Most were low-grade cultivation manualsmon in the cultivation world, worth less than ten spirit stones, or barely worth one hundred spirit stones.

    Losing its appeal, the crowd soon dispersed. The stall owner, satisfied, jingled his money bag, noticing Ji Yaoge''s long gaze. He said, "Youngdy, want to test your luck?"

    Ji Yaoge was curious about their money making tactics and didn''t intend to try it herself. She had never been lucky in gambling. She was just about to decline when someone patted her shoulder, a clear youthful voice sounding.

    "Five tries. We''ll gamble five times."

    Ji Yaoge turned, seeing the delicate appearance of Gao Badou.

    "Hurry up and pay!" Gao Badou urged her.

    Ji Yaoge stared at him for a moment before slowly taking out a bag of spirit stones. Before she could count out five hundred spirit stones, Gao Badou snatched the bag.

    "So slow." Gao Badou handed a middle-grade spirit stone to the stall owner.

    The stall owner''s eyes lit up. As he made change, he asked, "And who might the two of you be?"

    "Her brother."

    "His sister."

    Both spoke in unison.

    The stall owner looked confused¡ªwere they siblings or not?

 Vol. 1 - Chapter 25 - Foundation Establishment

    Chapter 25: Foundation Establishment

    The stall owner didn''t care who was older or younger. As soon as he received the money, he treated them both as valued customers. It was rare for someone to gamble five times at once, so he weed them courteously.

    Ji Yaoge put away her half-empty money pouch and gestured for Gao Badou to proceed. Gao Badou snorted, arrogantly crouched in front of the stall, and scanned the Snow Pine Stones. With a few quick flicks, he picked out five rocks and tossed them back to Ji Yaoge.

    "Catch them," Gao Badou instructed.

    Ji Yaoge caught the first stone, then the second, third, fourth, and fifth in quick session. Gao Badou had finished selecting in no time and stood up, saying, "Done."

    When the stall owner saw the first Snow Pine Stone Gao Badou had picked, his face turned pale. As the subsequent four were selected, his previously cheerful expression turned ashen white. His lips quivered with intended politeness, "Are you sure you¡¯re done? Not considering changing a few?"

    "No need. I trust my... brother," Ji Yaoge smiled warmly.

    Apparently, her calling him "brother" pleased Gao Badou. His stern face softened a bit.

    Someone in the crowd urged, "Open them and see your luck!"

    Ji Yaoge, however, put all five Snow Pine Stones into her ring. "No, I won''t open them here. Whether good or bad, I''ve bought them and will check themter. Let''s go, brother."

    With that said, she grabbed Gao Badou and hurried away. A few stepster, voices arose from the stall.

    "Hey, did someone just faint?"

    "Heart attack, maybe?"

    "He''s waking up! What''s going on here?"

    The stall owner, after regaining someposure, looked at his stall and suddenly wailed, "My books...!"

    Meanwhile, Ji Yaoge and Gao Badou had already disappeared into the crowded streets.

    She wasn''t interested in staying to open the Snow Pine Stones, risking unwanted attention. Anything picked by Gao Badou was bound to be good. Once they left the market and found a secluded spot, Gao Badou shook off her hand and raised an eyebrow, "Aren''t you curious to see what''s inside?"

    To be honest, Ji Yaoge was curious. Finding an empty spot, she took out one stone and crushed it. Inside, a jade slip radiating purple light emerged, engraved with the words "Eight Directional Fire." Judging by its spiritual aura, it was a powerful offensive technique, at least of medium grade.

    A medium-grade technique like this could fetch ten thousand spirit stones in the market. If it had special qualities, it could easily go over a hundred thousand.

    Just this one technique was worth more than all the money she spent today. Gao Badou was practically her treasure trove.

    "Amazing, Brother Gao! I am in awe," Ji Yaoge said, sping her hands in respect. She finally got to experience the thrill of gambling.

    Proud, Gao Badou instinctively tried to stroke his beard but remembered he had no facial hair in human form. Embarrassed, he rubbed his nose and transformed back into his bug form, returning to the jade tube. "I''m tired. Let me sleep. Don''t bother me unless it''s important," he murmured. After secretly absorbing a lot of spirit energy at the market, all he wanted was to sleep.

    Ji Yaoge carefully stored away this financial blessing, holding a few potentially medium-grade techniques, and ran back to Bai Yan''s stall.

    Bai Yan was struggling to sell two bottles of elixirs, unable to haggle up the price. Ji Yaoge snatched the elixirs from the customer''s hands, threw them to Bai Yan, and said, "We''re done here. Let''s go."

    Bai Yan, confused, watched as the annoyed customer walked away. He hurried to stop Ji Yaoge, who was packing up, "What''s going on, Miss?"

    Ji Yaoge bundled everything in the cloth and handed it to him, "We''re leaving!"

    Bai Yan had no choice but to pack up. He summoned their worn flying sword and, with Ji Yaoge, wobbled back to Chixiu Pce.

    When he saw the two medium-grade techniquesid out on the table in front of Ji Yaoge, he was in disbelief. He had never even touched a medium-grade technique before.

    "This ''Withered Water Curse,'' you can sell it for me and exchange it for some items. Your body has a fire attribute, the Semi-Fire Spiritual Body; this ''Eight Directional Fire'' is suitable for you. Take it. Whether you want to cultivate it or sell it, it''s up to you," Ji Yaoge said, pushing the jade slip toward him.

    "For me?" Bai Yan was even more surprised.

    "Yes. Stop forcefully enhancing your cultivation with drugs. The cultivation path is long. It''s not worth sacrificing hundreds or even thousands of years for quick gains. If you cultivate this fire technique honestly, it will still be a powerful skill. Whether you seek revenge or prove your strength, you''ll achieve your goals. Don''t be short-sighted," Ji Yaoge exined. It was up to him whether he would heed her advice.

    Bai Yan, stunned, asked, "Why are you being so kind to me?"

    "There''s no special reason. If you need one, consider it my repayment on behalf of the original owner of this body by looking out for her friends and family," Ji Yaoge said softly.

    Bai Yan remained silent for a moment, then epted both techniques. His eyes brightened as he spoke, "Give me a list of things you want to buy, and I''ll get them for you. If you need any help in the future, just ask."

    "Thank you," Ji Yaoge smiled and nodded.

    ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª

    Bai Yan, being resourceful and well-connected, soon found a buyer for the other medium-grade technique, selling it for fifteen thousand spirit stones, which he converted into fifteen middle-grade spirit stones. Ji Yaoge kept six for herself and gave Bai Yan two asmission. Though reluctant at first, Bai Yan agreed when Ji Yaoge exined she would need his help often in the future and couldn''t have him working for free. Bai Yan then readily went to procure the items for her.

    With these matters in Bai Yan''s capable hands, Ji Yaoge felt assured. Their rtionship was a bnced mix of emotional and practical support, avoiding both excessive detachment and undeserved favors. It was a partnership built on mutual respect.

    She gave Bai Yan a list of items needed for her seclusion and also asked him to find a cave dwelling near the mountains and forests, suitable for absorbing spirit bones during her retreat. Bai Yan quickly found a suitable cave, previously owned by a senior brother who wanted to sell it for money to buy a treasure.

    The news of Ji Yaoge moving into the cave caused a mild stir among the sect members. Seeing Bai Yan handling the purchase, rumors that they would be Daopanions resurfaced.

    Bai Yan, aware of the attention, quietly agreed but Ji Yaoge didn''t mind.

    When everything was in ce, just as Ji Yaoge was about to enter seclusion, a visitor arrived.

    ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª

    "Senior Sister, please have some tea," Ji Yaoge personally brewed tea and served it to Yue Xiao.

    Yue Xiao, dressed in a sky-blue gown, nced around Ji Yaoge''s new cave with a haughty look in her eyes.

    The cave wasrger than her previous dwelling, divided into two rooms. Bai Yan had decorated it nicely when he bought it, making it look elegant, although still simplepared to Yue Xiao''s standards.

    "Are you really going into seclusion?" Yue Xiao took a sip of tea.

    "Yes," Ji Yaoge replied.

    "Considering the timing, you''ll miss the Dual Cultivation Duel Conference and many other opportunities. If you want, you could lead the Twelve Immortal Demon Dance. Why give up such a chance?" Yue Xiao asked.

    "Even if I make a stunning impression in the dance, so what? Opportunities are about being chosen by others. Senior Sister, that''s not what I want," Ji Yaoge said calmly.

    "Given your talent, wouldn''t it be better to find someone to depend on and live your life easily?" Yue Xiao''s eyes hinted at subtle seduction.

    Ji Yaoge poured herself a cup of tea, drinking it slowly, "People n, but sess depends on fate. Even if I achieve nothing in my life, I''ll never depend on others."

    "Good," Yue Xiao praised quietly, erasing her previous disdain. "That¡¯s the spirit I like. I thought you were just a sycophant clinging to others, but I was wrong. Do you me me for targeting you before?"

    "Senior Sister, I epted the Twelve Immortal Demon Dance trial because I shirked my duties, so I have noints. As for the earlier targeting, I''ve forgotten. No need for you to worry," Ji Yaoge shook her head. Yue Xiao¡¯s several acts of making things difficult were minor and she bore no grudge.

    "Alright. In Chixiu Pce, I''ll look after you. Don''t count on Ye Long," Yue Xiao said, smiling.

    Ji Yaoge hesitated but then said, "Senior Sister, I think the person you were targeting wasn''t me, but Senior Sister Ye Long, right?"

    Yue Xiao''s smile froze, and Ji Yaoge continued, "Senior Sister Ye Long told me that the reason she helped me is because I remind her of the past you. She still cares about your past rtionship. Maybe there¡¯s a misunderstanding between you two..."

    "No misunderstanding!" Yue Xiao interrupted, her brows knitted in anger. "Don''t speak for her. She had plenty of chances to exin over the years but never did. No need to be a mediator."

    Seeing Yue Xiao''s anger, Ji Yaoge immediately stopped talking to avoid causing more trouble for Ye Long.

    Yue Xiao, hearing Ye Long''s name, became enraged and stomped to leave. At the door, she turned back, annoyed, "Almost forgot. I¡¯m here about the Twelve Immortal Demon Dance. Since youpleted the trial, I''ll teach you the Wuliu String Technique as promised. But since you¡¯re going into seclusion, we¡¯ll do it when youe out."

    After a pause, she added, "Don''t worry, I can teach better than Ye Long!"

    "Thank you, Senior Sister," Ji Yaoge replied submissively.

    Only then did Yue Xiao leave.

    Ji Yaoge immediately sealed the cave after Yue Xiao left, setting a mid-level protective formation outside with the costly materials Bai Yan had procured for her. She added two moreyers of restrictions before sitting cross-legged on her lotus seat.

    Closing her eyes lightly, she opened her spiritual eye. Lights of various colors floated around her, converging on the vermilion mark between her brows, which grew redder and more mesmerizing. The spiritual ocean within her gently flowed, like a whirlpool absorbing the spirit bones, forming a delicate stream of stars into the vast sky.

    With an absorption speed ten times faster than ordinary people, the stream flowed endlessly. Over time, countless spirit bones floated and sank in the dark spiritual sea, gradually emitting a faint light like swirling nebe.

    Various emotions overwhelmed her¡ªjoy, anger, sorrow, and all mixed into a chaotic blend. She used the "Miaolian Mantra" to resolve these emotions, understanding and unraveling them slowly.

    As the spirit bones melted into her spiritual sea, turning into spiritual energy, they traveled to her limbs and bones. The long-lost sensation arose again, guiding the precious spiritual energy towards her dantian...

    This process, long and monotonous, was repeated endlessly. Time in the outside world seemed to stretch on until her dantian gathered enough spiritual energy to form a single mass. As her muscles and bones began to itch, Ji Yaoge opened her eyes.

    She had reached the peak of Qi Refining; it was time to start Foundation Establishment.

    The transition from Qi Refining to Foundation Establishment was a significant milestone in a cultivator''s journey, transforming mortal flesh into immortal bones. This was the best opportunity to hone the body upon entering the path of immortality. If done properly, even someone with useless bones could be an immortal.

    She brought out the Qiongxi Cauldron she bought from the market, using Phoenix Wood to ignite the fire. She threw all the herbs Bai Yan had collected for her into the cauldron. The roaring fire reduced the herbs to white steam, which enveloped her as she floated meditating over the cauldron, enduring the intense heat and steam.

    Gao Badou had said her body was an Absolute Spirit Physique, where narrow and clogged meridians retained too many impurities. She needed to use this opportunity to expel the impurities and open her meridians, using the herbal power to refine her bones and muscles.

    Her skin turned red from the steam, the Phoenix Wood fire almost scorching her very soul. Ji Yaoge gritted her teeth, enduring the burning pain, forcing spiritual energy inch by inch through her meridians. Her entire being was both burned and pricked, reaching the critical moment of Foundation Establishment.

    Suddenly, a thunderous crash came from outside. Something heavy struck near the cave, causing the ground to shake. A terrifying pressure, belonging to a powerful being, followed instantly. Ji Yaoge didn¡¯t know what was happening outside; she couldn''t move or lose focus now.

    The pressures were strange, one cold and one hot, squeezing her small stone chamber and her body. Already enduring intense pain, Ji Yaoge felt extreme difort, almost wanting to tear apart her flesh. Desperately, she pushed all her spiritual energy into her meridians to achieve bnce.

    In doing so, impurities rapidly surfaced and evaporated from her skin, making it nearly see-through. Her meridians became clearly visible, the turquoise spiritual energy expanding them to their limit, resisting the pressures.

    One cold, one hot, like iron being forged.

    Bang!

    The cave door was suddenly smashed open, her protection formations and restrictions instantly destroyed. Outside noises filled the air, and she didn''t know what was happening. In her daze, she saw Bai Yan rushing into the cave, sword in hand, standing in front of her and shouting something she couldn''t hear or respond to; she couldn''t stop now.

    Bai Yan seemed anxious but saw she was at a critical juncture and had no choice. Turning, he guarded her, gritting his teeth as he formed seals. Just then, a strong force burst in, hitting his chest. He coughed blood but didn''t stop forming seals, quickly covering the cave entrance with countless vines, sealing it tight.

    Ji Yaoge couldn''t care about anything else. Her bones and muscles were being reforged, her meridians expanded to the extreme by external pressure. Massive spiritual energy flowed through her limbs, no longer dull and stubborn.

    "Senior Sister, hurry! I can''t hold on!" Bai Yan called out as another wave of force approached.

    Outside, the ck-clouded sky was struck by a silent purple lightning bolt, covering the cave in a divine glow, hidden by the thick clouds, unseen by anyone.

    Bang!

    The vine wall Bai Yan created was shattered. A fierce force headed straight for his chest. In that critical moment, a loud phoenix cry echoed as the Qiongxi Cauldron broke, Phoenix Fire ring. Ji Yaoge emerged from the mes, pulling Bai Yan and shooting through the cave ceiling.

    In a loud crash, the small mountain copsed. Ji Yaoge carried Bai Yan, soaring several miles away, stopping on a mountaintop and looking back at the distant mountains, now covered in charred debris, with continuous lightning shes and rapidly swirling clouds.

    "What¡¯s happening?" Ji Yaoge asked Bai Yan.

    Gasping, Bai Yan said, "Xiao Wuheng is really in Tiyu State. He''s fighting with the Mountain Lord¡¯s immortal friend, Immortal Yuan."

    The battle spread from Fenghuang Mountain to Shuangxia Valley, affecting most of Tiyu State. They were fighting right over Chixiu Pce.

    Even from a distance, Ji Yaoge felt the destructive power. She looked up but saw only asional lightning besides thick clouds. Suddenly, a golden glow pierced the clouds, looking closely; it was a giant spider leg, piercing through someone''s chest. The person, however,ughed wildly, echoing through the mountains.

    "Yuan Huan, today''s assault will be repaid someday." With that, the person turned into ck mist and disappeared.

    The giant spider vanished, the sky cleared, and a person fell from the clouds like a meteoric star, disappearing among the mountains.

    The battle ended, but Tiyu State was left half-destroyed. As the weather calmed, hidden cultivators emerged, looking at the destendscape in confusion.

 Vol. 1 - Chapter 26 - Ethereal Essence

    Chapter 26: Ethereal Essence

    In the 1,370,000th year of the Wanhua Immortal History, Xiao Wuheng from the Ghost Domain infiltrated the borders of Wanhua''s Tiyu State. He was discovered by Yuan Huan of the Taichu Sect, and the two battled at Fenghuang Mountain. The fight spanned from Fenghuang Mountain to Shuangxia Valley,sting fifteen days until Yuan Huan''s Golden me Spider pierced Xiao Wuheng''s chest. Defeated, Xiao Wuheng retreated to the Ghost Domain, but Yuan Huan, severely wounded, fell into the mountains of Shuangxia Valley and disappeared. Some said he went into seclusion to heal; others believed he returned to Taichu, while some spected he died from his wounds¡­

    Despite various legends about this battle and Yuan Huan''s fate, none have been verified.

    Yes, the immortal path is long, and in the blink of an eye, 198 years have passed.

    As the saying goes, when powerful beings sh, lesser cultivators suffer. During that battle, most of Tiyu State was destroyed, with 80% of the sects affected. Among them, Chixiu Pce in Shuangxia Valley was hit the hardest.

    Shuangxia Valley, already impoverished, became even poorer, as did Chixiu Pce. Rebuilding Chixiu Pce drained most of Lady Yingshuang''s resources and the sect''s reserves. Many disciples couldn''t withstand the hardship and left, reducing the sect from 56 members to 36. Lady Yingshuang, who once aspired to expand the sect, was deeply disheartened and spent her days sighing in the Ju''an Hall.

    However, for the past 198 years, Tiyu State has been peaceful, with no disturbances. The reason behind Xiao Wuheng''s secret infiltration remains a mystery.

    "Hey, do you know why Tiyu State is called Tiyu State? It¡¯s because, millions of years ago, this ce was a spiritual sea¡­ Do you know what a spiritual sea is? It''s a sea formed by spiritual energy, an immense source of power. When discovered, it became a battleground for major sects and the immortal-magic realms. Blood ran like rivers. Eventually, an immortal from the higher realm couldn''t stand it and cast a forbidden spell, sinking the spiritual sea underground and cing seven mountains over it. Since then, no one has found the spiritual sea. It''s said that on the day the sea was sealed, the spirit-eating fish leapt onto thend, crying non-stop. Thus, this ce was named Tiyu State. Xiao Wuheng came here to find that spiritual sea!"

    As Ji Yaoge exited the Ju''an Hall, she saw the young cultivator Zong He standing on a y table, waving an old piece of sheepskin, sharing the legend with a group of new disciples.

    "Think about it. The spiritual sea still lies somewhere beneath these mountains. If we find it, hehe¡­" Zong Heughed, stroking his chin. "This sheepskin map I have marks the entrance to the spiritual sea. It took me immense effort to get it. For my fellow disciples, it¡¯s only 10 spirit stones per copy. I made five copies, so act fast!"

    "What map? Let me see," a voiceughed.

    Zong He turned and immediately jumped off the table, bowing respectfully, "Senior Sister Ji." The surrounding disciples also stood aside and greeted her in unison, "Hello, Senior Sister Ji."

    Ji Yaoge nodded and grabbed the map from Zong He. With a quick nce, she rolled it up and knocked him on the head, "Scamming people again?"

    The legend of Tiyu State is well-known. Stay here long enough, and you''ll know that the sheepskin maps sold for 1 spirit stone at the Deer Ridge Immortal Market are fakes, with different versions every period.

    Hearing her words, the crowd realized they were being tricked and dispersed swiftly, making dismissive sounds.

    "Senior Sister, you shouldn''t say that. Senior Brother Bai Yan sold me this map initially. How could his words be false?" Zong He carefully retrieved the map.

    Ji Yaoge rolled her eyes¡ªBai Yan''s words true? Hardly.

    Zong He had been tricked by Bai Yan into spending fifty spirit stones on that map. Even if it were fake, as long as he hadn''t recouped his cost, he had to treat it as real. Zong He remembered the reason he got tricked was because he tried to cozy up to Ji Yaoge, thinking she was kind and skilled when he first joined Chixiu Pce. Bai Yan noticed and yed a prank, costing him all his fifty spirit stones.

    "Senior Sister Ji, do you need any help? I''m willing to serve you," Zong He offered, still hoping to find a golden leg to cling to.

    "She doesn¡¯t need anyone. I do. Will youe?" a sinister voice interrupted, sending chills down their spines.

    Zong He stiffened and turned to see Bai Yan. He forced a smile, "Senior Brother Bai," before making a swift exit.

    Bai Yan gave him a cold re before turning to Ji Yaoge with a smile, his eyes softening like a spring breeze.

    "Why bother with a child?" Ji Yaoge asked.

    Ten years since entering the sect, with a lifespan of only thirty years,pared to them, wasn¡¯t he still a child?

    Time flies, and 198 years have passed. Bai Yan was now 200 years old, and she, having transitioned from Bai Yun to Ji Yaoge, was nearly 500 years old. After spending over two centuries in Wanren Mountain, she had now stayed nearly two hundred years in Shuangxia Valley.

    On the day of her Foundation Establishment, Tiyu State was in chaos. The celestial phenomenon caused by her breakthrough went unnoticed amidst the turmoil. While her sessful Foundation Establishment surprised many, the destruction of Chixiu Pce diverted much attention. By the time the chaos settled and she helped rebuild the sect, Ji Yaoge had be one of the top disciples, second only to Yingshuang¡¯s three direct disciples. She was no longer the low-level, waste-boned cultivator she once was. Bai Yan, too, had be one of the top senior brothers.

    Today, Ji Yaoge''s cultivation was in thete Foundation Establishment stage, a speed not as fast as in her past life as Bai Yun but still impressive for an ordinary cultivator.

    "A child? I was the same age at the time. You never treated me like a child," Bai Yan snorted.

    "Your scheming nature made it impossible to see you as a child," Ji Yaoge replied with a smile, heading back to her cave.

    Bai Yan paused slightly, watching her slender figure in the sunlight. They had been cultivating here for 198 years; in two more years, it would be 200. He found it increasingly difficult to connect her to the cautious Ji Yaoge from the past. Though her face remained unchanged, she...

    She grew more enchanting.

    There was no one more beloved in Chixiu Pce than her. Kind and gentle, she was like the flowers and nts of the valley, drawing people close.

    Yet flowers and nts are heartless.

    To her, all living beings were the same.

    "Why did Madam call you to Ju''an Hall?" Bai Yan asked, catching up as she walked away.

    "She wants me to deliverst year''s collected Seven-Star Grass to Shigong Ridge," Ji Yaoge exined.

    "Wasn''t that always Sister Yelong''s job?" Bai Yan asked.

    "The Tiyu Mountain Lord has invited experts from various mountains to catch the Wutou Owl King of Feixiang Mountain. Madam has sent Brother Yan, along with Sisters Yelong and Yue Xiao, so she asked me to handle this task temporarily," Ji Yaoge exined.

    Yingshuang''s first disciple, Yan Xun, was Chixiu Pce''s senior brother. However, as he often trained outside, Ji Yaoge rarely saw him.

    "Who knows who lives in Shigong Ridge, requiring offerings from all seven mountain gates? The path there is tough. Let me apany you," Bai Yan suggested.

    "Alright," Ji Yaoge nodded in agreement.

    ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª

    Shigong Ridge lies at the border of Shuangxia Valley and Quejin Mountain, a perilous location with towering peaks and rocky terrain where little vegetation grows. From afar, the pile of giant stones resembles a lion lying on the mountain, hence the name Shigong Ridge. During the battle between Yuan Huan and Xiao Wuheng 198 years ago, Xiao Wuheng''s blow cut off half a peak, leaving half a lion, with the other half forming a suspended stone cave mid-mountain.

    Fifty years ago, a wandering cultivator suddenly settled there, carving a cave dwelling and staying for five decades. No one knew his identity, but the Tiyu Mountain Lord decreed that this cultivator''s needs would be supplied by the seven mountain gates. The Mountain Lord, regarded as the highest realm cultivator in the region, governed this territory, and all cultivators respected and relied on him. As such, the sects followed hismand, annually delivering the requested items to the mysterious resident.

    By dusk, the twilight bathed the green-grey cliffs in an orange hue.

    Outside the suspended cave dwelling at Shigong Ridge, arge area was marked off with stones, cultivating medicinal herbs and raising spirit beasts. Under the evening light, it was a serene, fragrant, and harmonious scene.

    The mysterious cultivator mentioned by everyone sat on a low stone outside his cave, carving a piece of wood. The wood had taken shape as a slender waisted figure of a woman.

    "Make the chest bigger¡­"

    "Waist slimmer!"

    "Hips higher, make them perkier!"

    "What¡¯s this carving? I don''t care. This is to be my body. Follow my instructions exactly!"

    A delicate female voice echoed continuously, yet apart from the man carving, no one else was present.

    Finally irritated by the nagging voice, the man harshly sliced the wood, shaving off most of the wooden woman''s chest.

    "Scream all you want. Next time, I¡¯m throwing you into the furnace to melt!" He lifted his head, speaking coldly to a floating blue glow.

    Had he known how annoying this ghostly essence would be, he wouldn¡¯t have brought it back. It had been pestering him for 198 years and showed no sign of stopping.

    The soul, senseless and fearless, flew up to his face, quivering its glow, "You wouldn''t dare. You enjoy mypany. I keep you entertained. You¡¯re not lonely, right, Brother Yuan?"

    ¡°Screw your Brother Yuan.¡±

    The man grudgingly grabbed the blue glow and slipped it onto his pinky. The glow transformed into a blue ring, settling quietly around his finger.

 Vol. 1 - Chapter 27 - Reunion

    Chapter 27: Reunion

    With all the Seven-Star Grass ready and packed, the sky was already dark, leaving no time for departure. Ji Yaoge returned to her cave, deciding to set off early the next day.

    The cave she had just changed into during her Foundation Establishment was destroyed during the battle between Xiao Wuheng and Yuan Huan. Now, Ji Yaoge resided in the cave that Ren Zhongping had once upied. It had been redecorated to her liking, removing all pretentious decorations and making it more spacious and pure.

    Entering the cave, she firmly shut the door, walked straight to the stone seat, sat cross-legged, and began cultivating.

    When the pressures of Xiao Wuheng and Yuan Huan descended suddenly, almost ruining her efforts, she instead gained an unexpected blessing. The extreme cold and heat pressures reforged her meridians and bones like smelting iron. Pushed to the limits by external force, she purified all the turbidity within her body, making her meridians smooth and true qi in her dantian condensed¡ªachieving an acquired immortal physique referred to as a Heavenly Cultivation Body, the ultimate rebirth.

    In 198 years, progressing from Foundation Establishment to thete Foundation Establishment stage was already remarkable. However, Ji Yaoge was not satisfied. Missing one soul, her soul sea absorbed spirit bones from the outside world at ten times the normal speed. Focused as she was on cultivation, this speed was within her expectations. Yet recently, she found her progress slowing significantly, almost stagnating, just a step away from achieving consummate Foundation Establishment and impacting Golden Core.

    ording to her n, she intended to stay in Shuangxia Valley until she reached the Golden Core stage, gaining the ability to protect herself before leaving Chixiu Pce to wander as a rogue cultivator, seeking the right opportunity to avenge the robbery and reim her original body. Now, this n had hit a snag.

    Reflecting, she retrieved the jade slip of the <strong>Art of Beauty Cultivation</strong>, channeling her consciousness into it. After a brief moment of void, she met with Meigu, the spiritual form created by this cultivation method within her primordial spirit void. Meigucked sufficient spiritual essence these past years, and Ji Yaoge, fearing her disappearance, rarely sought her out. Now there was no choice.

    "This phenomenon is normal. As your cultivation increases, the spiritual bones of low-intelligence beings like insects, beasts, and nts can no longer satisfy your soul sea, bringing minimal insights and spiritual effects. That''s why your cultivation has stalled," Meigu floated in mid-air, her brows and eyes tightly closed.

    It was simple logic¡ªwith increased cultivation, the soul sea expanded, and low-intelligence spiritual bones became like minute sand grains. How could they fill the sea and bring progress?

    "What should I do?" Ji Yaoge asked.

    "If low intelligence spiritual bones are insufficient, you must seek high intelligence spiritual bones. For instance, demonic beasts with initial intelligence, divine beasts with awakened intelligence, humans, or even... cultivators. The higher the realm of the cultivator, the more effective the spiritual bone," Meigu''s eyes suddenly opened, blooming like flowers, with inhuman pupils.

    Ji Yaoge was taken aback.

    From beasts to humans to immortals, wouldn''t this path involve mass ughter?

    Troubled by this thought, she struggled throughout the night, setting the jade slip aside and pondering on the stone seat.

    At dawn, Bai Yan came looking for her. Ji Yaoge set her worries aside temporarily and joined him on the journey to Shigong Ridge.

    ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª

    Byte autumn, the mountain chill intensified quickly. After the first snow, the peaks of Wanren Mountain were shrouded in mist and topped with white snow, adding to the deste gloom. It wasn''t a cheerful day¡ªearly snow foreshadowed the harshness, signaling the bone-chilling cold of the year-end winter.

    Bai Yun, once a prominent talent among the younger generation of the Wuxiang Sword Sect, had struggled to recover from her shattered Golden Core 198 years ago. Today marked twenty years since she went into seclusion to reform her Golden Core, yet...

    The Golden Core had yet to form.

    Reforming a shattered Golden Core was ten times harder than forming it anew.

    Even with her extraordinary talent, Bai Yun couldn''t escape the treacherous path of immortality. Her former glory couldn''t be restored.

    Inside Wuxiang Hall, the sect leader Ye Zhan looked at his kneeling senior disciple and, after a moment of contemtion, agreed to his request.

    "Alright. Without letting you go to Tiyu State to seek Yuan Huan, you won¡¯t give up. It¡¯s a pity for Bai Yun. Take two fellow disciples and investigate something for me as well."

    The kneeling man looked up, "Thank you, Master. Does Master wish me to investigate the events surrounding Xiao Wuheng¡¯s arrival in Tiyu State nearly two hundred years ago?"

    "Exactly."

    Leaving the hall, Gu Xingzhi was deep in thought. The morning''s undisturbed snow crunched underfoot, snow powder falling from pine branches, sliding into his hair and neck, awakening his spirit.

    A paper umbre, painted with cranes and ink, suddenly spread over his head. Someone called softly from behind, "Senior Brother."

    Gu Xingzhi turned to see Bai Yun standing under the green pines and white snow. She had lost much weight, draped in a white fox cloak¡ªthe pelt of the Snow Fox King they had hunted together at Jiangqiu years ago. Back then, Bai Yun was spirited, never like she was now, fearing even the winter¡¯s cold.

    Over the years, her stagnating realm disappointed the sect greatly, and the Ancestor gradually gave up on her. Life in the sect had been tough for her. Even after twenty years in seclusion, she had failed to reform her Golden Core, casting doubt on her status among the inner disciples.

    "Why are you here?" His expression softened as he took her umbre and held her hand.

    As expected, it was icy cold.

    "You asked the Sect Leader to go to Tiyu State to seek Uncle Yuan from the Taichu Sect?" Bai Yun, cloaked in white fox fur, lowered her gaze.

    Yuan Huan, the master of the Five Hells Tower of the Taichu Sect, was renowned in the immortal realm for a thousand years¡ªnot for his cultivation but for his peculiar mix of righteous and evil Daoism. The Five Hells Tower was where the Taichu Sect experimented with strange forbidden arts and treasures, constantly dealing with poisonous insects and corpses. Every cultivator there was a fanatic of bizarre arts, and Yuan Huan was their unparalleled leader.

    When Bai Yun''s Golden Core shattered, he intended to seek Yuan Huan¡¯s help but was refused due to Yuan Huan¡¯s difficult nature. A centuryter, not consulting her, he directly asked the Sect Leader, fearing she might obstruct him again.

    "Bai Yun, don¡¯t worry. Although Uncle Yuan can be difficult, he won¡¯t harm me. If his demands are too much, I won¡¯t force it. The Sect Leader also tasked me with other investigations in Tiyu State. I must go regardless, so don¡¯t worry about this," holding the umbre, Gu Xingzhi ced her hands in his, warming them with a soft golden light.

    Bai Yun, understanding further persuasion was fruitless, merely reflected on the past century. She had been with him for over two centuries. His kindness, was it for the former Bai Yun, or for her now? Her heart felt a pang of bitterness. She tiptoed, throwing her arms around his neck, her voice soft and tinged with emotion, "Senior Brother, thank you."

    Gu Xingzhi was taken aback. The former Bai Yun rarely showed such open affection. She was always reserved and gentle, not prone to girlish charm. Her temperament had changed gradually after her Golden Core shattered; she became more endearing, perhaps due to undergoing severe trials, experiencing the cold warmth of the sect. Considering that he often trained outside and she focused on cultivation, their infrequent meetings exined her change¡ªan understandable reaction.

    "Don¡¯t say that. If thanks are due, I should be thanking you first." Gu Xingzhi gently stroked her hair.

    A century ago, when the Ancestor bestowed the Phoenix Return Pill to help her form a new Golden Core, she, without hesitation, gave it to him when he returned gravely injured from training. Consequently, she struggled to reform her own Golden Core.

    He wasn¡¯t ungrateful. He wouldn¡¯t forget her kindness.

    Thinking this, he returned her embrace.

    The umbre fell, and snowkes settled quietly on him, covering his hair and clothes.

    ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª

    As the evening slowly faded, the frosty moonlight reflected off the barren stones at Shigong Ridge, casting a cold glow. asionally, distant wolf howls echoed, making the deste ridge even lonelier. Snowkes floated down, bringing an early chill ofte autumn to early winter.

    Knock, knock, knock.

    Without the incessant noise, the man carved with concentration. His carving had no fixed form, following his whims. He had reced his knife with a sharp, thin de, slicing without hesitation, fine shavings mixing with the snow at his feet.

    With the final stroke, he added the eyes to the wooden figure, finally letting out a sigh of relief and straightening his body.

    The wooden figure stood four and a half feet high, about the size of a fourteen or fifteen-year-old child. Though not detailed, its features were lively: wide almond eyes and slightly pouty lips, embodying the innocence of a naive girl.

    "It''s done. Enter," he flicked his pinky.

    The blue ring transformed into a blue glow and entered the wood figure. In an instant, the wooden figure seemed toe alive. Its dull wood grain turned into human skin, and its facial features became vivid.

    The wooden figure turned into a little girl.

    "I finally have a body!" The little girl, dressed in red, with an oval face and almond eyes, smiled exuberantly. Her joy made her voice louder than usual.

    The man nced at her, took a sip from a jug of wine, but was interrupted by her distressed scream.

    "Why is my chest so t?" The little girl squeezed her chest, dismayed to find it t, not the imagined peaks, making her want to cry.

    The man almost spit his wine out.

    "Why am I a child? Where¡¯s my graceful adult form?" The little girl, face reddened with frustration, red at the man.

    Draining his wine, the man coldly said, "You have a body to serve as my servant. If you¡¯re not pleased, return to being a formless spirit."

    The little girl opened her mouth to protest, but he waved her off, "Someone ising. Go check."

    Her eyes darting, she huffed and ran outside in her new body, like a joyful puppy. The many back on the stone, letting the snow fall on his face, relieved that he finally had a doorkeeper and some peace.

    The peace was short-lived; soon screams echoed from outside.

    At the door, Ji Yaoge and Bai Yan stared at each other. After a while, Ji Yaoge asked, "Am I that scary?"

    Bai Yan shook his head, "No, Senior Sister is very beautiful."

    Ji Yaoge, aware she wasn¡¯t terrifying, wondered why the girl at the door panicked upon seeing her.

    As if she had seen a ghost.

 Vol. 1 - Chapter 28 - One Watch

    Chapter 28: One Watch

    The lingering scream echoed like a strained string, and whenever Ji Yaoge thought it would stop, it would always peak again after gasping for breath. The sharp, prating sound on the silent mountain made their eardrums ache.

    That scream, along with the little girl''s fiery red figure, disappeared at the pile of stones, leaving Ji Yaoge and Bai Yan rubbing their itching ears, dumbfounded outside.

    What just happened? They stood outside, unsure and cautious, not daring to step in. Ji Yaoge thought for a moment and announced, "I am a disciple of Chixiu Pce in Shuangxia Valley of Tiyu State, here to deliver Seven-Star Grass on orders..."

    Before she could finish, a figure slowly emerged from the pile of stones.

    Having night vision after Foundation Establishment, Ji Yaoge saw clearly in the frosty moonlight, with snowkes like fireflies drifting down. The person wore a worn gray cloak, walking with heavy, slow steps. The dark cloak highlighted the stark whiteness of his hair, which was casually tied, strands falling near his temples. The face beneath was weathered, with chiseled features and deep-set wrinkles, reflecting strength. He was an elderly man with a narrow, fierce right eye and a left eye covered by a gold-embroidered ck patch, hiding it from view.

    In this ce, on such a snowy night, an old man with one eye carried an unsettling strangeness, especially with a red-d little girl cowering behind him.

    Ji Yaoge was surprised¡ªcultivators'' youthsted longer than mortals, supported by their longevity and cultivation. Most could halt their appearance at any chosen age¡ªsome preferred youthful vigor, others the sharpness of young adulthood or the stability of middle age. Few disyed old age unless they reached a bottleneck, could not advance in cultivation, and their lifespan was nearing its end, causing their body to naturally age and approach death.

    Much like Gao Badou, who always imed to be an old man yet took the form of a young one, proving his longevity. Was this elderly man at the end of his lifespan?

    In contrast to her surprise, the old man remained calm at their arrival, while the little girl behind him couldn''t hide her fear.

    "Sh-she-she-she''s here to take me away," the little girl stammered, clutching the old man''s waist and peeking out, shivering with fear.

    A solitary soul could sense its master; seeing Ji Yaoge, the girl felt it immediately.

    The old man, understanding this, kept walking but nced at Ji Yaoge twice, then grabbed the girl''s cor, pulling her to his side, and sternly said, "Walk properly."

    The sprite, face flushed with fear, clung to his arm, pleading softly, "Brother Yuan, save me, I don''t want to go back."

    With that, he knew exactly what was happening. The female cultivator he had saved 198 years ago hade to pay a visit.

    Yuan Huan, having lived for three thousand years, had seen countless situations. Yet he had never encountered a sprite that preferred to wander rather than return to its original body, clinging to him like a cub to its mother, refusing to leave.

    "Esteemed senior, I and my junior brother are disciples of Chixiu Pce in Shuangxia Valley of Tiyu State, here to deliver Seven-Star Grass. We should have arrived by noon but were dyed due to the first snow. We beg your pardon for the tardiness," Ji Yaoge announced again, ncing at the frightened girl who shrank even more.

    "Bring it inside," he said, voice unexpectedly rich and deep, devoid of old age.

    Turning, his figure remained upright¡ªif not for the disheveled white hair, he wouldn''t appear old.

    Strangely familiar, Ji Yaoge couldn''t recall where she had seen him before.

    Leading the way, the old man walked ahead, while the girl clung to his hand, ncing back fearfully. Ji Yaoge followed, noting how the old man repeatedly tried to shake off the girl''s grip, unsessfully as she clung tightly, scared to let go.

    Ji Yaoge wanted tough and eventually did, drawing the old man''s attention as he turned back, eyeing her with his single right eye. She coughed to cover her inappropriateughter, and he ignored it, continuing with the girl.

    "Senior Sister, I''ve heard the resident here has a peculiar temper. Do you think he''s the master here, or is there a higher expert hidden?" Bai Yan whispered to her.

    Ji Yaoge shook her head, "Hard to say." She sensed no spiritual fluctuations from either of them. The old man''s aura was steady¡ªeither he was extremely powerful or roughly at her level, within the Foundation Establishment stage, while the little girl had no spiritual energy at all, like a mortal.

    Yet it was odd for a mortal to be here, so Ji Yaoge couldn''t help but look at the girl twice. The girl seemed simple and straightforward, everything showing on her face, without pretense. Despite her fear of Ji Yaoge, Ji felt an inexplicable closeness and trust towards her.

    The old man led them to an isted stone cave, pointing at the cluttered chamber, and instructed emotionlessly, "The Seven-Star Grass cannot be stored in bags for long. Immerse it in the spirit pool to the right of the cave."

    No hesitation in hismand. As Ji Yaoge and Bai Yan walked towards the cave''s entrance, the old man turned and yanked the girl''s hand away forcefully, "She''s not here to take you, but keep this up and she might notice something."

    The girl nced at the cave, asking softly, "If she finds out, will you help me?"

    "I won''t help you or her," he refused bluntly.

    Two hundred years ofpanionship hadn''t softened his iron heart. The girl pouted, clinging to him, "If she takes me back and reunites her three souls, she''ll know you stole her soul. Imagine it spreading that you, a nascent soul stage cultivator, took a female cultivator''s love soul. How disgraceful!"

    The sprite wasn''t entirely dumb, even knowing how to threaten. Yuan Huanughed angrily, "Then I should return you immediately."

    "..."

    The girl looked at him resentfully.

    "Senior, the Seven-Star Grass is ced. Is there anything else?" Ji Yaoge exited the cave, interrupting them.

    Though the person¡¯s cultivation seemed low, she remained respectful, not knowing the depths of this ce.

    "Nothing more, you may leave now," said the girl, shrinking back behind the old man again.

    Bai Yan nced at the sky¡ªsnow fell heavier, from flurries torge kes. The cold seeped into the bones, even cultivators couldn''t withstand the chill for long.

    "Senior, the snowstorm is heavy tonight, making sword flights difficult. The mountain path will surely be blocked. Please allow us to stay here for the night and depart at dawn," he requested.

    Yuan Huan turned, his voice floated, "Don¡¯t enter the inner cave." He left without looking back.

    ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª

    The suspended cave at Shigong Ridge was vast, with multiple chambers twisting inside. But with strict instructions to stay out, Ji Yaoge and Bai Yan settled outside the cave, using a rocky overhang as temporary shelter from the snow.

    Exposed to fierce winds and endless snowfall, temperatures dropped steadily. Both, without proper protective artifacts, had to meditate and use their inner energy to fend off the biting cold, hoping for morning light.

    Thunk¡ª

    Someone tossed a bundle of firewood at their feet. The wood was finely split, high-quality, dry phoenix wood.

    Ji Yaoge and Bai Yan opened their eyes to see the little girl''s pale face. Her exaggerated expressions seemed almost stiff without blood cirction, but her eyes showed a mix of childish trepidation and innocence. Obvious fear of Ji Yaoge, but soft-hearted, the girl disyed typical human child behavior.

    Thump¡ª

    Bai Yan ignited the phoenix wood with his me of Eight Directions. The warm light reddened their faces, driving away much of the chill. Knowing the girl feared her, Ji Yaoge remained silent and closed her eyes again. Bai Yan, however, rubbed his hands, calling her over, "Little girl, thank you. Want to sit by the fire?"

    The girl shook her head¡ªher wooden body feared fire, a spark could ruin the body she had waited two centuries for.

    Bai Yan assumed she was shy, moved closer, and sat beside her. She felt more secure with some distance from Ji Yaoge.

    "What¡¯s your name?" Bai Yan, exuding a brotherly warmth, asked gently.

    The girl thought seriously, "Xiao Bai," sneaking nces at Ji Yaoge.

    Bai Yan joked, "Then I''ll be Da Bai. We¡¯re destined to be friends."

    "Really?" Xiao Bai blinked her almond-shaped eyes and called, "Big Brother Da Bai."

    Both Bai Yan and Ji Yaoge couldn¡¯t help butugh.

    Xiao Bai stared at Bai Yan''s smiling face. Bai Yan, well-formed, his gentle smile under the firelight, reminded her of someone from Wanren Mountain...

    "Big Brother Da Bai, you¡¯re so handsome," she blurted out, speaking her thoughts.

    Pleased by thepliment, Bai Yan confidently mused, "Of course, I¡¯m the most handsome man in Tiyu State..."

    Interrupted, Xiao Bai added, "But not as handsome as my senior brother."

    "Who¡¯s your senior brother?" Bai Yan, intrigued, teased her.

    "My senior brother is the best person in the world," Xiao Bai replied, sneaking another nce at Ji Yaoge.

    Ji Yaoge thought of Gu Xingzhi¡ª198 years of minimal thoughts of him. Without the spirit essence, she felt no love-induced longing, confusion, or pain. Gu Xingzhi was like a distant past acquaintance; they had a dual cultivation agreement and once promised a life together, but now she doubted if she had ever truly loved him...

    Meanwhile, Xiao Bai and Bai Yan had switched topics. She whispered, "Big Brother Da Bai, do you like her?"

    Her gaze pointed to Ji Yaoge. Bai Yan, taken aback, denied it quickly, "Don¡¯t say nonsense."

    Not knowing what Xiao Bai perceived, she earnestly warned, "Then don''t like her; she won¡¯t like you." Her voice lowered, only loud enough for Bai Yan. He asked why, and she replied firmly, "Just know."

    Bai Yan, dissatisfied with the response, looked at Ji Yaoge, her face flickering in the firelight, radiating charm, momentarily captivating but quickly suppressed.

    Cultivators seldom discussed feelings, especially in the sect, amon understanding.

    Bai Yan, adhering to principles, changed the subject, "Are there only two of you here? Who is the senior?"

    Xiao Bai, though innocent, was cautious, "Why are you asking?"

    "As guests here, we should know the host," Bai Yan probed, sensing potential hidden experts.

    Xiao Bai stood abruptly, "You don''t need to know. Leave at dawn." She ran off quickly.

    Ji Yaoge opened her eyes, teasingly looking at Bai Yan, who touched his face, realizing even his charm had limits.

    ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª

    The phoenix wood burned out by dawn, leaving charred embers. The night-long snow had ceased, but the sky remained dim, and the ground was nketed in grayish snow, embodying winter destion.

    Ji Yaoge stretched under the rocky overhang and said, "Time to go."

    "Should we inform them?" Bai Yan approached.

    "Yes." Despite the unweing atmosphere, it was rude to leave without a word. Ji Yaoge nodded, intending to bid farewell from outside the cave entrance, considering her manners fulfilled.

    As she was about to speak, a strong qi force rushed out from the dark cave. Startled, Ji Yaoge sidestepped quickly, seeing a person burst out, disheveled and shouting wildly, swinging fists at them.

    "Hurry, catch him alive! Don''t kill him," Xiao Bai shouted, chasing out from the cave.

    Ji Yaoge was already engaging the attacker. Their cultivation levels matched, but his attacks were chaotic and deadly. She had to be cautious. Bai Yan called out, "Senior Sister," ready to help, but Ji Yaoge, fearing more chaos, replied, "Stay back," handling the attacker alone.

    After several exchanges, the crazed man grew impatient,unching a fiery dragon from his scarlet palms towards Ji Yaoge¡¯s head. She ducked, pressing her hands against the snow, causing snowkes to rise and solidify into dozens of ice spikes, shooting towards him. Distracted by the spikes, he clumsily deflected them, allowing Ji Yaoge to seize his throat, pinning him to the ground by his pulse.

    As his hair flew back, seeing Ji Yaoge clearly, he buried his head in her leg,ughing and crying, "Fairy sister hase to save me!"

    "..." Both Ji Yaoge and Bai Yan were stunned.

    The disheveled man was Ren Zhongping, taken away by Ying Shuang 198 years ago.

    Apart from Ren Zhongping''s sobbing, silence hung over them until a deep voice came from the cave entrance.

    "You, bring him, follow me inside."

    Yuan Huan stood at the entrance, his gaze fixed on Ji Yaoge, not revealing how long he had been watching.

 Vol. 1 - Chapter 29 - Two Watches

    Chapter 29: Two Watches

    The interior of the suspended cave at Shigong Ridge was intricate and winding, with passageways leading to numerous small stone chambers. Embedded in the walls were fluorite stones for illumination, casting a faint glow that made the narrow passages mysteriously unpredictable. asionally, stone chambers opened up on either side, swallowed by darkness, looking like gaping monstrous mouths, eerily unsettling.

    Footsteps echoed in the corridor, the scrape of shoes brushing against the ground. Ren Zhongping followed Ji Yaoge obediently into the cave, not needing to be escorted, sticking to her side.

    Yuan Huan deliberately slowed his pace, letting Ji Yaoge walk beside him, scrutinizing her with his singr, free eye, not caring if she noticed.

    Despite a brief acquaintance in the past, he couldn''t recall her appearance. He never got a clear look at her face back then, and 198 years had passed since hest helped her. Even if he had seen her face, time would have erased such insignificant memories, especially for a face like hers.

    If not for that wisp of spirit essence, he wouldn''t have remembered her at all.

    Her new appearance was vastly different from her original body, a stark contrast that somehow refreshed his memory. Perhaps it was her striking beauty back then that made the memory vivid.

    Thinking of past events, he remembered the catastrophe she faced. Her skills, more than her former beauty, surprised him. It wasn''t about her cultivation or Daoism but herbat prowess. Like earlier, she used nothing grand against Ren Zhongping, just a basic ice condensation techniquemon among Foundation Establishment cultivators. Condensing ambient moisture into weaponized ice spikes was standard, but its effectiveness varied widely, and few could produce more than ten spikes due to limited spiritual energy. Her technique, utilizing the snow-covered ground, conserved spiritual energy efficiently. Producing dozens of ice spikes at once required exceptional control. Proving¡ª

    Her proficiency in spellcraft was high, and her fundamentals were solid. Basic spells were easy to learn, but wielding them to surpass their inherent limits was a testament to her skill.

    Thus, he was curious.

    Why did such a capable woman possess such an unruly spirit essence?

    A person''s character is the result of the intery of their three souls and seven spirits. When whole, their emotions are bnced, moderated by reason, morals, and other feelings. The spirit essence, driven by pure emotion, wouldn''t manifest like an unrestrained spirit. But once unbound, its uninhibited nature surfaces, reflecting unconditional passion.

    That exined the stark difference between her essence and true form. Yet, it''s rare for a spirit to fear reuniting with its true body, preferring to escape.

    Unless, beneath her calm intelligence, she harbored intense passion and resentment, suppressed for so long that her spirit essence refused to return. What kind of past could suppress her emotions to such an extent?

    A separated original soul bes an autonomous entity, and while the spirit essence is pure, it retains a strong will. Its reluctance to return indicated significant ws in her true form¡¯s soul, leading to its self-delineation.

    Perhaps she subconsciously desired such freedom.

    The spirit essence had stayed with him for a long time, and he had adopted aissez-faire approach. Whether it returned or not wasn''t his decision but hers. Even as a fragment of her soul, it embodied her own choices.

    He typically studied inanimate objects; souls, spirits, and personalities weren¡¯t his forte. Yet, now he found himself intrigued.

    Walking at a measured pace, Ji Yaoge knew she was being studied. His unguarded gaze made her feel like a body lying on a stone b in one of the passing chambers.

    Unless she was mistaken, several central stone tables in those chambers held¡­ corpses, devoid of life, under dim, unclear light.

    "Why does Senior keep looking at me?" she asked while eyeing another stone chamber.

    "Are you not afraid?" he remarked with interest, "These corpses..."

    "Procured by Tian Ghost Sect for Senior, I presume?" Ji Yaoge smiled innocently. Her years in the Charm Sect had exposed her to many such deeds. Though not adept at seducing people, she had learned that certain expressions made people lower their guard. An innocent smile was the safest and most disarming.

    Beforeing to Shigong Ridge, she had done her homework. Each of the Seven Mountain Sects provided him with resources over the past fifty years¡ªChixiu Pce collected Seven-Star Grass, while Tian Ghost Sect provided various corpses. The purpose was unknown, but many cultivators in Wanhua were dedicated to forbidden arts, using corpses wasn''t unusual. Initially shocked, she soon found it unsurprising.

    As long as they weren¡¯t freshly killed.

    ¡°You have a strong heart,¡± Yuan Huan smirked, slightly mocking¡ªher smile was too fake.

    Ignoring his insinuation, Ji Yaoge followed him into the stone chamber ahead. It was empty except for a stone bed and some scattered living items, devoid of corpses.

    "May I ask why Senior called me and my senior brother here?" She got to the point.

    "Your senior brother?" He motioned to the stone bed.

    Ji Yaoge patted Ren Zhongping''s shoulder, gesturing for him to sit on the bed. Despite some reluctance, heplied after a few reassuring words from her, holding onto her sleeve until she managed tofort him. Turning back to Yuan Huan, she said, "Yes. I¡¯m a disciple of Chixiu Pce, and this is my senior brother, Ren Zhongping."

    "He seems to trust you," observed Yuan Huan.

    "No trust. He¡¯s in his current state because of me. Back then, he harbored ill intentions towards me, so I used an excess of Luanhe Juice and enchanted him with the Celestial Demon Dance, causing his mind to copse and see me as an illusionary fairy. It seems he hasn¡¯t recovered after all these years. However, I¡¯m curious why he¡¯s here with you, Senior?" Ji Yaoge exined calmly. Ren Zhongping had been handed off to Ying Shuang; his presence here suggested some connection with the master of Shigong Ridge.

    She was beginning to suspect the cave''s master was someone else.

    Yuan Huan stared intently, "Just that?"

    His gaze was piercing, carrying unexpected pressure despite his average cultivation.

    "Yes," Ji Yaoge nodded, palms sweaty.

    "Since he trusts you, you¡¯ll stay here for now to take care of him. I have a task for you. I will exin to Chixiu Pce," he said, leaving her no room to refuse. Thinking further, he added, "If you do well, I will reward you with top-grade spiritual medicine and treasures of your choosing..."

    "Senior," Ji Yaoge interrupted, "If you want information Ren Zhongping holds about what Xiao Wuheng sought in Tiyu State years ago, I can help. But I don¡¯t want spiritual medicine or treasures¡ªI want that secret."

    This ce, reminiscent of the Five Hells Tower''s style,bined with Ren Zhongping''s presence, led her to suspect the true master of this cave. If it truly was the person she thought, a transaction would be inevitable. The item Xiao Wuheng deemed worth risking his existence for must be extraordinary; she wanted a share.

    Yuan Huan fell silent¡ªher harmless smile hid deep ambition. Her appearance had changed, but her essence remained the same as the woman who negotiated with him 198 years ago.

    "The seal on him was ced by Xiao Wuheng, a Nascent Soul stage cultivator. You, an advanced Foundation Establishment cultivator, im you can break that seal?" Even he couldn¡¯t, or Ren Zhongping wouldn¡¯t be confined here.

    Her boast seemed too grand.

    "I didn''t say I could break the seal, but I can try to extract Xiao Wuheng''s secrets from him," Ji Yaoge said, turning to Ren Zhongping. "Senior wants me here because Ren Zhongping trusts me. You want to try heart-based persuasion to make him speak. But a seal is an external force; unless he willingly speaks, his mouth won¡¯t open even if he wants to."

    Yuan Huan didn¡¯t interrupt, letting her continue.

    "Seals are hard to remove; getting him to talk willingly is impossible. My method doesn¡¯t require breaking the seal. If only Xiao Wuheng can make him speak, then show him Xiao Wuheng," Ji Yaoge suggested casually.

    Yuan Huan¡¯s brief hope shattered¡ªwasn¡¯t that obvious? But where to find Xiao Wuheng? Even if a cultivator transformed into Xiao Wuheng¡¯s appearance, such illusions were child''s y, useless against the seal.

    "The seal controls Ren Zhongping''s heart, which doesn¡¯t lie. Unless he believes the person before him is Xiao Wuheng, even the real Xiao Wuheng couldn¡¯t make him talk. My n is to make him see Xiao Wuheng, as he perceives¡ªpresence, aura, expression... If I can grasp what he feels, I can mimic Xiao Wuheng," Ji Yaoge exined confidently, though her <strong>Art of Beauty Cultivation</strong> hadn¡¯t reached that level, she bluffed convincingly.

    Yuan Huan pondered her feasibility; she spoke of a high-level enchantment technique, something intriguing he hadn¡¯t considered.

    "Your method uses advanced charms, you know this art?"

    "Let me try. Even if it fails, nothing is lost," Ji Yaoge said lightly, showing a bit of cheekiness.

    Her attitude reminded him of the naive spirit essence.

    Yuan Huan silently assessed the proposal. Ji Yaoge misinterpreted his pause, stepping forward, "Senior, may I see your master and exin personally? I genuinely wish to cooperate."

    "My master..." A flicker of confusion crossed Yuan Huan¡¯s face, quickly understanding her misconception¡ªthat the cave had another master. Her shrewd eyes sparkled with her assumption. Internally, he sneered but outwardly yed along, "My master is in seclusion, not meeting guests. I will convey your message."

    "Thank you, Senior." Ji Yaoge bowed and asked, "May I know your name?"

    "The old man¡¯s surname is Yuan, you may call me Old Yuan," Yuan Huan replied with a deep, unfathomable expression.

    Yuan? Yuan?

    Ji Yaoge couldn¡¯t confirm, thanking respectfully, "Thank you, Old Yuan."

    Old Yuan?

    Yuan Huan chuckled.

 Vol. 1 - Chapter 30 - Hidden Emotions

    Chapter 30: Hidden Emotions

    Ji Yaoge decided to stay at Shigong Ridge.

    After the snow, Shigong Ridge showed no trace of green. The sparse vegetation was buried under the thick snow, reflecting a blinding white light. Ji Yaoge¡¯s decision to stay meant that Bai Yan also remained there. During the day, he helped Xiao Bai in the herb garden outside the cave. These two truly hit it off, with Xiao Bai calling out energetically, "Big Brother Bai," and Bai Yan responding warmly, "Little Sister Bai," turning their work into a lively affair.

    "Big Brother Bai, no using spells. Let¡¯s see who¡¯s faster with their hands."

    "Sure."

    With a flurry, the two began working in the herb garden. Soon, Xiao Bai was exasperated, stopping her cheery calls, "Big Brother Bai, you¡¯re cheating! You¡¯re using spells secretly!" Bai Yanughed, denying it, which made the little girl even angrier. She turned away, refusing to speak to him. Bai Yan pacified her by producing a summer lotus from his palm, despite the snowy surroundings. Xiao Bai¡¯s eyes lit up, and all her anger melted away as she praised Bai Yan.

    Though they were just childish tricks, someone genuinely enjoyed them. Bai Yan, having reached a higher status and cultivation, rarely had to cater to anyone. Usually, his nonchnt smile was enough to garner admiration from his junior disciples. Ji Yaoge could tell that he had genuine affection for Xiao Bai.

    He truly liked and pampered her.

    It made sense. In the world of cultivation, rare were the people with simple happiness and sorrow. Life beyond a century made people wise and indifferent to life and death, unlike Xiao Bai¡¯s straightforward emotions.

    Ji Yaoge let Ren Zhongping bask in the sun, sitting on a stone nearby, watching the two y. She had stayed here for a few days and had almost figured out everything. Xiao Bai handled daily chores while Old Yuan rarely appeared, spending most of his time in the inner cave. As for the true master of this cave, she had yet to meet him or even catch a glimpse. Nevertheless, they trusted her enough to leave Ren Zhongping in her care without further instructions.

    Extracting Xiao Wuheng¡¯s secrets from Ren Zhongping was difficult. Though her n was theoretically sound, executing it wasplicated. Her cultivation was not advanced enough, but having made a boast, she had to follow through.

    ¡ª¡ª

    With Ji Yaoge¡¯spany, Ren Zhongping could enjoy some sunlight rather than being confined to the stone chamber. His mental state improved considerably, and he no longer had frequent episodes. He behaved like a tamed pet. Apart from mental unwellness, he had no other injuries. The cave''s master hadn¡¯t dissected him like the corpses or used painful methods on him. Despite his madness, he lived freely.

    During these days, Ji Yaoge focused on building trust. She had no intention of using enchantments on him from the start. Many things required a gradual approach, especially mental persuasion. Trust as the foundation would make it easier. Hence, she genuinely took care of Ren Zhongping.

    In his calm state, Ren Zhongping was easy to care for. After walking him around for half a day, she let him sit on a rock to bask in the sun. She herself climbed a higher rock, sitting cross-legged, summoning Gao Badou. Climbing from her back to her shoulder, hezily sighed, "Why did you summon me?"

    Over the years, he had be ustomed to her only seeking him when necessary, allowing him to nap in the jade tube otherwise, with asional manuals for mutual benefit.

    "I need to ask about someone." Ji Yaoge smiled sweetly.

    Perhaps her time in the Charm Sect had made her smile more often, with various kinds of smiles.

    "Who?" Gao Badou barely opened his tiny eyes. Always a loner, he knew few people in the cultivation world.

    "Xiao Wuheng."

    "..." Gao Badou''s eyes shot open. Did she have to mention his old nemesis?

    Ji Yaoge¡¯s smile persisted as she exined Ren Zhongping¡¯s situation. Gao Badou scoffed, "Are you kidding me? You want to impersonate Xiao Wuheng? Hahaha¡­" Heughed heartily, but Ji Yaoge¡¯s unwavering gaze soon stopped hisughter. "Alright."

    He conceded. Ji Yaoge¡¯s determination was silent yet relentless, never resting until her goal was reached; he had experienced it before.

    "Actually, I¡¯ve never truly seen Xiao Wuheng, don''t know his appearance. But if you want to deceive the seal by bing Xiao Wuheng, relying on appearance alone won''t work. Xiao Wuheng was born in Wanhua, with parents who were both cultivators,ter hunted and killed for their treasures. This tragic event altered his nature. He fled to the ghost realm to cultivate,ter returning for vengeance, ughtering 165 members of the n responsible for his parents¡¯ deaths. Not even women or children were spared. He is ruthless and calcting." Gao Badou spoke of Xiao Wuheng with lingering fear.

    Though he never saw him while confined in the Vermin Tower, he had learned about his ruthless nature through hearsay.

    Xiao Wuheng, unpredictable and malevolent, cultivated ghostly techniques, emitting a chilling aura that made people shudder.

    From Gao Badou¡¯s description, Ji Yaoge formed an image of Xiao Wuheng in her mind.

    "Enduring immense grief in childhood, fostering deep resentment; wandering alone in the ghost realm, his nature must be tenacious and resilient; exacting revenge violently, his aura must be menacing;ter, as a semi-master of the ghost realm, he must possessmanding presence¡ªa result of years of leadership¡­"

    "Those traits are easy to emte, but as a Nascent Soul stage cultivator, his immense spiritual power is challenging to replicate." Gao Badou rained on her parade.

    Ji Yaoge shrugged, "I can leverage external help."

    "From whom?" Gao Badou eyed her warily, "Don¡¯t involve me in your mess."

    "No, not you." Ji Yaoge smiled.

    She nned to seek the cave master''s help. Meeting him would provide the opportunity to persuade him to share Xiao Wuheng¡¯s secrets.

    ¡ª¡ª

    With an initial understanding of Xiao Wuheng from Gao Badou, Ji Yaoge summoned Ren Zhongping. Hey obediently beside her, his messy hair now braided and hanging over the cliff, swinging gently in the air.

    Ji Yaoge tilted her head, her voice suddenly raspy with a hint of enchantment, "Ren Zhongping, do you recognize me?"

    Ren Zhongping raised his head, his eyes confused, "Fairy sister¡­"

    She lowered her head slightly, locking eyes with him, "Tell your fairy sister about your master."

    "My master¡­" Ren Zhongping''s confusion deepened.

    "No, don¡¯t speak it. Imagine it." Ji Yaoge¡¯s voice carried a hypnotic quality, "Haven¡¯t you missed your master?"

    Ren Zhongping¡¯s eyes grew vacant, lost in distant memories, slowly forming a long-forgotten figure in his mind.

    Following his emotional changes, Ji Yaoge peered into his consciousness¡ªthis was an advanced technique of the <strong>Enchanting Bone Art</strong>. The first level awakened spiritual insight, absorbing spiritual bones, experiencing myriad emotions; the second level converted spiritual bones into energy, integrating emotions into the soul sea to rebuild the spirit essence; the third level utilized emotions to captivate and understand minds and souls, known as <strong>Heaven¡¯s Envy</strong>.

    Ji Yaoge had begun practicing the third level after reaching the Foundation Establishment stage, though the third level requiredprehension rather than cultivation. This technique was akin to the <strong>Celestial Demon Dance</strong> taught by Ye Long, focusing on emotional control, starting with feeling others'' emotions and subtly conveying her own to the audience. However, the <strong>Enchanting Bone Art</strong> was more profound, not limited to emotions but probing the desired feelings to attract others.

    Emotional control was only the foundation; achieving full control over emotions defined the true essence of the third level.

    At this moment, she was delving into Ren Zhongping¡¯s heart.

    Her spiritual awareness was highly concentrated. Her cultivation wasn¡¯t enough to maintain the <strong>Heaven¡¯s Envy</strong> for long, and the subject¡¯s mental stability greatly influenced its effectiveness. Fortunately, Ren Zhongping¡¯s madness and trust in her provided an opportunity.

    In a blink, a vague figure appeared before her eyes.

    It was the Xiao Wuheng in Ren Zhongping¡¯s mind.

    ¡ª¡ª

    "Brother Yuan, have some meat!" Xiao Bai cheerfully offered grilled fish to Yuan Huan at the cave entrance.

    The freshly animated spirit essence seemed to brim with energy, dragging Bai Yan along to hunt and grill meat after tending the herb garden. The aroma of grilled meat was especially enticing in the cold winter, yet Yuan Huan showed no appetite. He waved away the stick holding the meat, scanning around, "Where is she?"

    "Who?" Xiao Bai, disappointed, spat out the tasteless meat she tried to eat despite her wooden body.

    "Your original form," Yuan Huan inquired.

    "She¡¯s out with Ren Zhongping." Xiao Bai tried another piece of meat, grimacing at itsck of vor, spitting it out again¡ªthis body still wasn¡¯t right.

    Yuan Huan¡¯s attention returned to her, as the sky darkened, casting her shadow on the ground, constantly in motion. She was indeed a restless soul.

    "I recall you mentioned being Bai Yun, the direct disciple of Mu Xiang Sword Sect¡¯s Grandmaster Xie Lengyue, correct?" he said suddenly.

    Xiao Bai¡¯s movements paused. In 198 years, he never inquired about her origins. This identity was what she had reported during her plea for help.

    Her silence confirmed it. Yuan Huan continued, "A prodigy who formed a Golden Core within two centuries, remarkable inprehension and determination, a once-in-a-millennium talent. Your master praised you thrice before the Taichu Sect¡¯s leader during an agreement. I faintly remember¡­"

    The eternal smile on Xiao Bai¡¯s face vanished. Her gaze turned cold, her tone changing abruptly.

    "Enough," she cut him off, not wanting to revisit the past.

    "You were the pride of the Mu Xiang Sword Sect, highly anticipated by your sect. You must¡¯ve been full of vigor back then," Yuan Huan mused, staring ahead emotionlessly.

    The grilled meat was suddenly hurled into the snow. Her wooden face showed fragments of anger and a mix of bloody smiles and tender tears shing through her mind. The never-ending nk of chains and a person disappearing atop Wanshan¡¯s highest peak¡­

    "Stop talking!" Her smile vanished, eyes now like icy snow under moonlight.

    The spirit essence governed emotions; love on one side, hatred on the other.

    Yuan Huan fell silent. Likewise, she no longer smiled, her innocence shattered, revealing naked hatred. Her eyes, cold and unwavering, fixed on him. She swallowed her intense emotions and turned away without further words.

    The snow bore her footprints, which Yuan Huan observed for a long while before stepping out himself.

    A few stepster, his eyes flickered; he pivoted and extended his hand towards a specific direction.

    Not far behind him stood a cloaked figure, cold and dark, watching silently.

    Before he unleashed his attack, a woman''s voice rang out.

    "It¡¯s me!" The hood fell back, revealing Ji Yaoge¡¯s face.

    Yuan Huan¡¯s attack diverged, smashing into a stone nearby, turning it to powder. His expression turned vicious.

    "Feel like Xiao Wuheng?" Ji Yaoge dared to ask.

    Yuan Huan¡¯s figure abruptly closed in, seizing her throat, "Amusing, isn¡¯t it?"

    His white hair brushed her cheek, his sudden killing intent enveloping her like a meticulously woven.

 Vol. 1 - Chapter 32 - Settling Old Scores

    Chapter 32: Settling Old Scores

    The heavy stone doors fell into ce, sealing off the sound from the outside world. Ji Yaoge could no longer hear the deafening buzzing nor feel the trembling of the ground. Yet, the sense of unease and danger grew stronger in the unnatural silence, amplifying like the sound of a heartbeat in the dead of night, bing louder the quieter it got.

    The sudden turn of events showed that the usually noisy little girl reacted the fastest, earning a degree of newfound respect for herposure. This arrangement might not be the best, but with no better option at hand, it would have to do. Leaving Bai Yan and Xiao Bai outside was undoubtedly risky, but the design of Shigong Ridge should include defensive formations, evident from Xiao Bai''s reactions. They seemed prepared, just not fully, when the situation changed.

    Now, Ji Yaoge couldn''t ponder who "Brother Yuan" Xiao Bai mentioned or the "master" Old Yuan spoke of, and whether or not they were the person who had saved her in the past. If they were, what about her lost spirit essence...

    Questions abounded, but she couldn¡¯t afford the luxury of piecing everything together now. Surviving the immediate threat took precedence. Their cultivation levels were low, and the beasts outside, affected by the myriad beast venom, had lost their senses and would devour anyone, treating humans as food. As Xiao Bai said, their only hope was protecting the person inside; only he could fend off the beasts. If he died, their chances of escaping the swarm unscathed were slim.

    As she walked and thought, Ji Yaoge quickly reached the end of the passage. The second door stood before her, firmly shut. She had never been through it before and didn''t know how to open it. Debating whether to wait or find a way in, she heard a faint scraping sound from the corridor.

    Could it be? Had the beasts already breached the cave?

    Ji Yaoge turned cautiously, gripping her broken Xi¨¢ Sword in her right hand and three Guang Talisman in her left, staring tensely at the entrance. The sight made her scalp tingle. The long passage was suddenly filled with people, moving stiffly and silently towards her. Another nce revealed they were emerging from the stone chambers along the corridor¡ªchambers typically used for storing bodies¡­

    Realizing their origin, she quickly deduced they were animated corpses.

    He must be using corpse maniption.

    Yet, corpsescked consciousness and attacked indiscriminately. With only one way into the cave, anything entering was an enemy. Leaving these dead here was a defensive measure, but now¡­

    Seeing these corpses advancing towards her, Ji Yaoge silently cursed¡ªshe was the only living person here!

    Boom¡ª

    The stone door behind her suddenly opened as she swallowed her curse, apanied by a deep male voice echoing from all directions.

    "Come in."

    Without hesitation, Ji Yaoge dashed into the second door.

    "Elder Yuan? Miss Xiao Bai sent me to assist with your protection," she called out upon entering.

    Through the final door, she still couldn¡¯t see anyone. Behind the second door was arge stone chamber, walls and floor covered in arrays, likely set for this crisis but iplete and non-functional, exining Xiao Bai''s decision to send her in.

    ¡°Hmm, stay here,¡± the voice, faint and weak, came from beyond the tightly shut door, giving no more instructions.

    Suddenly, the walls lit up, with blue stone patterns transforming into scenes, half showing the chaos outside the cave, the other half the interior passage. What was happening outside was clear on the walls.

    Shigong Ridge was inplete disarray.

    ¡ª¡ª

    Dark clouds blocked the sky, making it appear night-like. Beasts swooped down from the sky, aiming for the hanging cave. Many were smashed mid-air by giant stone figures, but morended, frantically crashing against the cave entrance. On the ground, countless fierce beasts surged forward relentlessly. While the stone figures were powerful, they couldn¡¯t stop the flood-like wave of beasts.

    Sand and rocks flew everywhere, asionally shing with spells like lightning cutting through the darkness. The herb garden was trampled and destroyed, the caged spirit beasts either crushed or killed, lying lifeless.

    Snow soaked in crimson blood, with a pervasive smell of blood, and more beasts approaching from afar.

    Judging by their numbers, Ji Yaoge suspected the entire Tiyu State''s fierce beasts were converging. Beast cultivation was tougher than human; evolving from mindless to low intelligence before taking human form took ages. While humans might form a Golden Core in 800 years, it took beasts over a millennium. A shaped beast, though capable of ruling a mountain, shedding its beastly traits altogether required forming a Nascent Soul.

    In the countless red eyes, Ji Yaoge saw a few with lingering intelligence. Bad news¡ªit indicated several millennia-old beast cultivators among them.

    She quickly identified three: a Hook Snake, a Red me Bird, and a Ginger Horn Lion.

    These crafty beast cultivators didn¡¯t attack directly. Hiding behind the frenzied beasts, they used their numbers for cover, creeping closer to the cave entrance. From the overall scene, Ji Yaoge understood the stone formation outside was Xiao Bai¡¯s doing, serving as the first line of defense with Bai Yan guarding her. Xiao Bai had no cultivation, necessitating Bai Yan¡¯s protection. As long as she remained steady, the first defense line would hold.

    However, the three beast cultivators also noticed this and were closing in fast. Bai Yan set up a vine wall, but the Ginger Horn Lion¡¯s sheer force smashed it quickly, copsing the barrier with its horns. Fortunately, Bai Yan was prepared, releasing a Fiery st, driving the Ginger Horn Lion back with a st of mes.

    The Ginger Horn Lion roared in retreat, singed. The Hook Snake and Red me Bird joined, transforming into human forms¡ªHook Snake as a sleek woman in scale armor, Red me Bird as a sharp-faced youth, and Ginger Horn Lion as a burly red-bearded man. They advanced on Bai Yan together.

    Ji Yaoge knew this was trouble¡ªthe trio¡¯sbined strength outmatched Bai Yan.

    Indeed, Bai Yan was pushed back, shot by an arrow from the Red me Bird but managed to dodge the follow-up strike from the Ginger Horn Lion. A crash under the lion¡¯s ws would severely wound him. Ji Yaoge tensed, but¡ª

    Xiao Bai acted swiftly, summoning two nearby stone figures to block the Ginger Horn Lion, buying time. Bai Yan and Xiao Bai exchanged a relieved nce, even Ji Yaoge sighed. That ¡®silly¡¯ girl proved far from foolish, showing strong adaptability.

    Taking out numerous beasts, Ji Yaoge btedly realized the danger inside. ck ants, the size of fingernails, swarmed the stone door. She looked outside, spotting the Hook Snake stealthily releasing these ants. The Myriad Beast Venom extracted from the general chaos allowed the ants to burrow unnoticed.

    ¡°Molten Gold Ants?¡± Ji Yaoge gripped her sword tighter.

    Molten Gold Ants were terrifying, possessing corrosive saliva that melted metal¡ªcapable of eroding the stone door.

    Quickly, the ants turned the door to powder. Instantly, a horde of beasts charged into the passage.

    "No!" Bai Yan shouted in rm, rushing towards the cave.

    "Stop," Xiao Bai held him back. "Guard the outside. Leave the inside to her."

    Directing the battle, her calm authority left no room for argument. Though uneasy, Bai Yan obeyed, refocusing on the fight. Distracted, the Ginger Horn Lion struck again, with Bai Yan narrowly evading. Xiao Bai couldn¡¯t dodge, her arm severed by a w swipe.

    Bai Yan, horrified, unleashed another Fiery st, forcing the lion back, guilt-ridden. Xiao Bai, still poised, urged, ¡°Focus, Bai Yan! Do our part, and trust her.¡±

    Trusting Ji Yaoge meant trusting herself.

    ¡ª¡ª

    The passage was chaos. Beasts surged in, shing with the corpse army. Agile Hook Snake and Red me Bird slipped in among the beasts, advancing towards the inner cave.

    Amid snarling and battling, more beasts entered, overwhelming the corpses. Despite their strength, the corpses, like stone figures,cked intelligence and adaptability, gradually losing ground.

    Molten Gold Ants swiftly reached the second door, gnawing through it. Hook Snake and Red me Bird engaged the corpses but quickly caught up to the ants as they entered.

    Inside, only a single sword hovered in the air. Unfazed, the ants approached, only for a golden glow to sh, apanied by an angry voice, ¡°Acting tough before your bug ancestor, tired of living?¡±

    A giant golden mildew appeared, squashing many ants. The surviving ants scattered but remained still before the dominant presence of Gao Badou, a 3600-year-old spirit insect.

    "Get lost!" Gao Badoumanded, his erged form issuing an imposing order.

    Transformation size was his only talent.

    Cowed, the ants retreated out.

    Outside, Hook Snake and Red me Bird, having shaken off the corpse army, arrived to see the retreating ants. Ignoring Hook Snake''smands, ants were equally pressured by Gao Badou¡¯s presence behind and their master ahead, causing a berserk frenzy, biting both beasts and corpses indiscriminately.

    rmed, Hook Snake realized something was wrong inside and proceeded with Red me Bird.

    Inside, only the sword remained, with no sign of Gao Badou. The broken Xi¨¢ Sword, glowing gold, suddenly sparked blinding light, forcing the pair to avert their gaze as someone silently descended from the ceiling, stabbing Hook Snake in the back. Screaming, the Hook Snake shifted into its serpent form, pinned by Ji Yaoge¡¯s dagger, writhing in agony.

    Red me Bird recognized the ambush, seeing a Foundation Establishment female cultivator. He screeched sharply,unching feathered arrows. Ji Yaoge flipped to dodge, casting a freezing spell on the stone room, slowing the Red me Bird¡¯s attacks.

    In haste, Ji Yaoge devised the Condensing Ice Formation, basic but effective against the fire-element Red me Bird.

    Outmatched by these three, she aimed to buy time, hoping the person inside emerged quickly.

    Freezing the Red me Bird, pinning the Hook Snake, she handled the weaker beasts pouring in, using the broken Xi¨¢ Sword¡¯s sharpness. Combining her Twelve Celestial Demon Dance footwork with her sect¡¯s Mu Xiang Swordy, Ji Yaoge unleashed deadly strikes.

    Blood rained with each sword sh as beast corpses piled up. Despite the cold, the Red me Bird kept attacking, using its mes to melt the frost.

    Five hundred years of cultivation, Ji Yaoge had rarely faced such peril. Fighting for life, she spared nothing, sustaining multiple wounds, her clothes and hair singed, limbs cut. Yet survival mattered most, her spiritual energy depleting.

    The stone door remained shut after a whole day. Frustrated, she shouted, ¡°Still hiding? How much longer?¡±

    She wouldn''t sacrifice herself for a stranger.

    Silence from behind, but a figure burst in, the Ginger Horn Lion breaking through Bai Yan, joining the fray. Three-on-one, Ji Yaoge had no chance.

    Frost cracked, the cave burning with heat, overwhelming her tactics.

    ¡°Die!¡± The Ginger Horn Lion lunged.

    The Red me Bird¡¯s fire scorched, evading one attack, she couldn¡¯t dodge the next. Struck by the Ginger Horn Lion, Ji Yaoge flew back like a broken kite.

    Landing just before the third door, it opened, blinding golden light enveloping her.

    ¡°You call me a coward?¡± A young male voice, tinged with subtle amusement.

    This settled an old score from 198 years ago.

    She had once called Yuan Huan a cowardly turtle.

 Vol. 2 - Chapter 31 - Transformation

    Chapter 31: Transformation

    Yuan Huan''s hand stopped just a hair away from her throat, not actually touching her slender neck. Ji Yaoge did not flinch; she even tilted her chin slightly, exposing her neck even more, like a prey willingly walking into a trap.

    The proximity of their skin, even without contact, allowed them to feel each other¡¯s warmth. It was a sensitive kind of itch.

    Ji Yaoge''s neck itched slightly, like a hair brushing against it. This old man, whom she thought was declining, was far stronger than she had expected. He had hidden his strength well, but the control he showed in that strike wasn''t something a Foundation Establishment cultivator could achieve. Had he not altered his move, she wouldn''t have been able to withstand even a single blow.

    For several breaths, they stared at each other, and Ji Yaoge kept smiling. It was a submissive smile, a juvenile¡¯s way of appeasing a senior. However, Yuan Huan disliked it, not just its falseness, but its certainty.

    Certain that he wouldn¡¯t actually harm her.

    If he wanted to kill her, he wouldn¡¯t have diverted his attack.

    Ji Yaoge believed this, so she had no fear. "Elder Yuan, I wasn''t ying. I just wanted to see if this disguise could fool anyone..."

    Yuan Huan¡¯s right eye darkened¡ªhe had been used as a test subject after doing experiments his whole life?

    "Of course, with Elder Yuan''s cultivation, this minor trick couldn''t escape your notice," Ji Yaoge ttered him, "I just felt a bit of Xiao Wuheng''s presence from Ren Zhongping. I don''t know if I learned it correctly, so I needed someone¡¯s assessment. What do you think, Elder Yuan?"

    Her cultivation was not advanced, and she couldn¡¯t fully understand Ren Zhongping''s memories, only the outlines,bined with Gao Badou''s words, led to her current disguise. She was unsure if it truly resembled Xiao Wuheng and couldn''t test it on Ren Zhongping. She hoped Yuan Huan might take her to meet his master to get her answers.

    "Dog." Yuan Huan disliked the respect and humility in her eyes as he withdrew his hand and walked past her.

    No ws, no fangs, no might¡ªjust a little dog barking.

    He didn¡¯t even care to guide her.

    "Then please, Elder Yuan, tell me how to paint this big tiger properly?" She had understood his meaning, mocking her for being dog-like in her imitation.

    "The coldness in Xiao Wuheng stems from the ghostly energy and dark arts he practices, his lethality from years spent on the edge of death, and hismanding presence from ruling half the ghost realm. But you..." Yuan Huan smirked, the wrinkles at his eyes unmoving, "Your coldness is like that of subterranean creatures, your so-called ferocity is mere survival, not true killer instinct. As for presence, do you think a monkey king leading his tribepares to someonemanding half the ghost realm?"

    Comparing Xiao Wuheng to subterranean creatures or savage predators wasughable. If Xiao Wuheng knew, he might throw Ji Yaoge into the ghost realm¡¯s blood pool and not be satisfied.

    Calling her a dog was kind, sparing her dignity.

    The pointed criticism made Ji Yaoge blush¡ªthe auras she had studied came from absorbing beast spirit bones over the years.

    Luckily, she was humble enough to be thick-skinned.

    "Elder Yuan, have you met Xiao Wuheng?" Ji Yaoge asked, following his pace.

    "I have," Yuan Huan said more than usual, quickening his steps, regretting his verbosity.

    "Oh..." Ji Yaoge quickened her pace, "Then do you know how to mimic those auras?"

    "Have you ever hated someone? Killed someone? Felt utter despair when your beliefs were shattered? Ever wanted to take revenge on the world in your darkest moments? Ever looked down on everything from the clouds, controlling all? That¡¯s Xiao Wuheng," he retorted.

    If mere imagination could replicate Xiao Wuheng, why would he need her at all?

    His tone carried a teacher¡¯s patience. Ji Yaoge pondered his words, slowing down. They had fallen far behind, but she had no intention to catch up.

    Despair from shattered faith, a desire to avenge the world in extreme pain?

    She had experienced it, but had forgotten or suppressed it...

    ¡ª¡ª

    "Bai Yun, take this dagger and kill him...

    Kill him and devour his inner core to gain his talent.

    Good child, don¡¯t be afraid. He¡¯s a demon. Killing him will rid the world of evil.

    In a dark tower, chains ttered on the ground as a voice whispered.

    But he¡¯s my father.

    Your father chose to be a demon. There¡¯s no cure. He must die, hurry...

    ng¡ª

    The blood-stained dagger fell, waking the sleeping person.

    Ji Yaoge¡¯s eyes snapped open.

    She rarely remembered the events from over five centuries ago.

    In her teens, there had been a man who conjured stars, moons, summer flowers, and winter snow with his hands, using the simplest tricks to make her happy.

    What happened after that?

    She couldn¡¯t recall his face or voice.

    ¡ª¡ª

    After her conversation with Yuan Huan, Ji Yaoge locked herself in the stone chamber Xiao Bai had arranged for her, noting out for three days. Bai Yan worried but avoided disturbing her during such periods of contemtion, having developed mutual understanding over the years. Her seclusion likely indicated difficulties with her ns, causing unease.

    During this time, Bai Yan ceased teasing Xiao Bai, and the once lively cave turned quiet again. Xiao Bai continued her chores¡ªtending the herb garden, grinding medicines, feeding the beasts¡ªbut asionally nced toward the cave entrance.

    As Yuan Huan emerged from the cave, he saw two distracted individuals.

    Ji Yaoge¡¯s presence was strong, even with fewer words.

    ¡°Didn¡¯t she say she¡¯s here to take care of Ren Zhongping? Leaving him to go mad in the cave?¡± Yuan Huan was looking for Ji Yaoge.

    With Ji Yaoge secluded, no one took Ren Zhongping out, and his madness resurfaced. He was currently smashing walls in his stone chamber.

    ¡°Senior Brother Ren recognizes me somewhat. I¡¯ll go calm him down,¡± Bai Yan volunteered, running into the cave.

    Xiao Bai waited until Bai Yan left before approaching Yuan Huan, her tone irritated, ¡°What did you say to her that made her lock herself up? Bai Yan and I saw you talking to her the other day.¡±

    Yuan Huan felt he had been too lenient with this spirit, now daring to question him.

    ¡°Ask her yourself.¡±

    Xiao Bai mumbled ¡°I won¡¯t,¡± but quickly added, ¡°Could you help her?¡±

    Yuan Huan narrowed his eyes, and she exined, ¡°If you help her, she can solve your problem faster and leave sooner, sparing my constant worry.¡±

    ¡°Leave?¡± Yuan Huan chuckled, ¡°You haven¡¯t understood yourself.¡± Ji Yaoge¡¯s probing wasn¡¯t just to uncover secrets; she likely intended to stay and investigate further, trying totch onto ¡®his master.¡¯

    Xiao Bai wanted to retort, but a polite ¡°Elder Yuan¡± interrupted, revealing Ji Yaoge.

    Though slightly worn, her eyes were spirited and bright, her smile sincere, showing eight white teeth. She walked up, saluting, ¡°Your words were enlightening, Elder Yuan, for which I¡¯m deeply grateful. However, Ick experience and cannot reach the state you described. After pondering, I came up with a few ideas and seek your guidance.¡±

    ¡°Speak.¡± Yuan Huan replied, walking ahead.

    ¡°We aim to mimic Xiao Wuheng¡¯s aura, not be him. The art of enchantment relies on deception, blending reality and illusion, achievable through experience or perception. With your extensive knowledge, Elder Yuan, are there any creatures in Tiyu State whose aura resembles Xiao Wuheng¡¯s, so I may perceive it directly?¡±

    Finding such a creature would allow her to kill and use its spirit bones to forge the aura.

    Yuan Huan paused, her words striking a chord. ¡°Xiao Wuheng practices the <strong>Great Extinction Art</strong> from the ghost realm, requiring training in the coldest, darkest ces. Using the blood of a Qinghe Nialdragon simmered with ice mes might be close,bined with the <strong>Eight Directions Ghost Summoning Talisman</strong>¡­¡± He muttered, then felt her eyes glued to him and stopped.

    Ji Yaoge¡¯s curious eyes locked onto him.

    ¡°Why don¡¯t you continue, Elder Yuan?¡± Her eyes gleamed with mischief.

    ¡°¡­.¡± Yuan Huan realized he''d fallen into her trap.

    He was about to speak when a faint tremor from below caught his attention. His brow furrowed. Ji Yaoge noticed his change, asking, ¡°Elder Yuan, what¡¯s happening?¡±

    Yuan Huan suddenly clutched his left eye under the eyepatch, his previously calm expression turning grim.

    ¡°Transformation period... Why is it early?¡± he muttered.

    Ji Yaoge couldn¡¯t understand but sensed something was wrong. The ground''s tremors intensified, and within a few breaths, even pebbles bounced as if a thousand horses approached. Both Bai Yan and Xiao Bai rushed out from inside.

    ¡°What¡¯s that?¡± Bai Yan pointed to the horizon.

    A dark mass, like clouds of birds, rushed towards them from afar. Strange beast howls echoed across Shigong Ridge, converging on the hanging stone cave like a sudden tide.

    Yuan Huan only nced before racing back into the cave. Gold light leaked from under his eyepatch. His white hair started tinting green from the top, while wrinkled skin seemed to shed and rejuvenate.

    His quick departure left the others unaware.

    The cave''s three-locked door shut as he entered,yer byyer. Ji Yaoge and Bai Yan barely registered the scene before Yuan Huan vanished.

    ¡°Something¡¯s wrong.¡± Xiao Bai looked worried.

    ¡°What¡¯s happening?¡± Ji Yaoge asked.

    Xiao Bai, disregarding her fear for once, exined, ¡°He¡¯s injured. Every hundred years it attacks, drawing all nearby beasts to devour him. It¡¯s early¡ªwe¡¯re not ready.¡±

    Ji Yaoge frowned at this strange injury.

    Xiao Bai knew little more, having heard the wound came from battling Xiao Wuheng, who cursed him with a myriad beast venom. When active, the venom released a scent attracting beasts within a hundred miles. She didn¡¯t know how Yuan Huan suppressed or removed it, only that it red every century. This year was only the 198th.

    ¡°No countermeasures?¡± Ji Yaoge saw the surrounding beasts, their presence forcing her heartbeat to quicken.

    Under her steady gaze, Xiao Bai calmed, considering briefly before grabbing Ji Yaoge¡¯s wrist, pulling her towards the entrance, ¡°Your cultivation is highest. Go help protect him while Brother Bai and I guard outside.¡±

    ¡°You have no cultivation. Staying outside is dangerous.¡± Bai Yan joined them at the cave entrance, recognizing the beasts, ¡°I should stay outside while you two go in.¡±

    Xiao Bai shook her head, reassuring with a determined look, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, they won¡¯t attack me.¡± Saying so, she looked at Ji Yaoge.

    Ji Yaoge didn¡¯t probe further, surprised.

    The first cave gate opened under Xiao Bai¡¯smand, ¡°Their target is Brother Yuan. You must protect him. If he survives, we¡¯ll be safe; otherwise, none of us will make it.¡± She decisively shut the gate behind Ji Yaoge.

    ¡°Come on, Brother Bai.¡± Xiao Bai drew a smallmand g from her pocket.

    The g unfurled with a boom, dust flying, turning the mountain¡¯s rocks into countless stone figures.

    Xiao Bai stood by the g, her innocence gone.

    ¡°Brother Bai, protect me! I am the formation¡¯s core.¡±

    For a moment, Bai Yan mistook her for¡­ Ji Yaoge.

 Vol. 1 - Chapter 33 - The Youth

    Chapter 33: The Youth

    That voice wasn¡¯t just young¡ªit was youthful.

    Its tone was clear and resonant, devoid of the deep bass thates with adulthood, slightly juvenile, unfamiliar to Ji Yaoge, yet somehow familiar in its cadence. But with the enemy at hand, now wasn''t the time for contemtion or banter. Ji Yaoge clutched her chest, standing in the golden light, unable to see anything clearly¡ªnot even the voice¡¯s owner, who was just a silhouette. Outside the light, the Red me Bird and Ginger Horn Lion were already poised to move.

    What to do now?

    Before Ji Yaoge could ask, the man answered, "You want to know what killing intent is? I¡¯ll teach you."

    As soon as he finished, Ji Yaoge felt a pinprick in her back, followed by the sensation of a spreading inside her. Wisps of spiritual energy, thinner than a hair, flowed throughout her body along her meridians and bones.

    Ji Yaoge was shocked¡ªcontrolling spiritual energy so precisely required immense skill, beyond mere cultivation.

    In this moment, she became his puppet, her body moving with his spiritual energy¡¯s guidance. She flew out of the cave like a marite.

    The outer cave frost had melted, the Ginger Horn Lion peering into the cave, the Red me Bird just returning from tending to the Hook Snake, startled by Ji Yaoge¡¯s sudden emergence.

    Landing by the broken Xi¨¢ Sword, the sword burned her hand but she held on, having no other choice.

    Spiritual energy surged from her palm into the broken Xi¨¢ Sword, its patterns lighting up, crackling like a thousand birds screeching. The Ginger Horn Lion sensed danger, its roar releasing a gale, its body glowing golden, charging at her. Ji Yaoge didn''t dodge, leaping up and striking with the electrified sword while moving towards the Hook Snake.

    The Red me Bird, having just removed the dagger from the Hook Snake, didn''t expect an attack from behind. It flew aside, and Ji Yaogended on the Hook Snake¡¯s back in a swift twist, her sword striking faster than the snake¡¯s tail could restrain her.

    Ah¡ª

    A piercing scream, as the broken Xi¨¢ Sword stabbed the snake¡¯s weak spot. With a grip infused with spiritual energy, Ji Yaoge mmed her palm onto the Hook Snake¡¯s head, shattering its core before it could beg.

    Snake blood sttered on her, some even staining her eyes, tinting her vision red. Turning towards the Ginger Horn Lion trapped in the electric, she attacked again. The beast, already injured, struggled to break free, but she unleashed anotherting of lightning. Enraged, the lion charged with the still on it, and the Red me Bird''s mes converged on her. Lights collided, enveloping her.

    The Red me Bird watched, disbelieving she could survive, but saw the Ginger Horn Lion¡¯s severed head roll at its feet. Following it was Ji Yaoge¡¯s sword.

    Terrified, the Red me Bird fled. Ji Yaoge pursued, throwing her sword like a spear, piercing the bird¡¯s back. Gravely wounded, it turned, knowing escape was futile, it transformed into its true fiery form, attacking wildly.

    Ji Yaoge stood still, eyes red, muttering an incantation, "Break."

    The sword embedded in the bird exploded into dozens of electrified des. The bird screeched, falling as charred remains.

    Breathing in the bloody scent, Ji Yaoge red at the halted beasts outside the second door.

    What is killing intent?

    It¡¯s the blood umted from life-and-death battles, a heart of steel on the immortal path, killing to end killing¡ªthe rule of Xiao Wuheng''s realm.

    Inside, seated on a stone bench, a man watched his now low-glowing hand, "She learned quickly, but still too weak."

    With that, he casually flexed his fingers.

    The exhausted Ji Yaoge felt a gentle force pull her into the inner cave.

    Roar¡ª

    The three beast cultivators were dead, but countless beasts remained, chasing Ji Yaoge. Suddenly, the luring venom¡¯s scent vanished, reced by an overwhelming sense of danger. Even the dumbest beast felt it, retreating toote.

    Golden light burst out, an immense, invisible force crushing outwards.

    Boom¡ª

    The ground shook, stones cracking, shrieks filled the air as the cave exploded, sending beasts flying.

    Chaotic sounds overwhelmed Ji Yaoge, whose strength was spent. Resting on a white, soft in mid-air, she barely moved her eyes. The golden light receded, revealing a gigantic spider web with intricate patterns.

    Hair brushed her forehead¡ªnot her own¡ª

    Someone leaned over her, examining her closely.

    Ji Yaoge¡¯s eyes widened, rity breaking through the haze.

    This face was unfamiliar yet familiar. Unseen but resembling Old Yuan''s younger self.

    Not Yuan Huan, at least not as she imagined¡ªthe older, narrow-eyed man shouldn''t look so young.

    Yes, this face, like the voice, wasn''t just young¡ªit was youthful.

    A boy of thirteen or fourteen, younger than Gao Badou, with smooth skin and full cheeks,cking a man''s sharper features. His eyes were bright and ck, a handsome boy whose gaze, though, was shrewd and seasoned.

    Not heterochromatic¡ªso not Yuan Huan?

    "Who are you?" she asked.

    He smiled brightly, winking once. The web shivered as a giant golden spider turned into a beam of light, entering his left eye. He didn¡¯t reopen that eye, saying, "Yuan Huan."

    No point hiding; she''d guessed it already, right?

    Ji Yaoge wasn¡¯t shocked by his identity but by his appearance, "You..." she hesitated, "Should I call you Immortal Master Yuan, or Old Yuan?"

    He raised an eyebrow, indifferent, "Whatever."

    She echoed, testing, "Then, Brother Yuan?"

    Their first meeting, he was a baby; second, his true self she hadn¡¯t seen; third, an old man; now, a youth.

    Seeing his every form from young to old.

    A thirteen-fourteen-year-old boy, her height, barely taller, not imposing.

    He nced at her, left eye closed, "Joking now?" Tossing her two blue silk strips, tying one over his eye and tossing the other to her, "Do my hair."

    She felt the silk, gathering his now shoulder-length dark hair, no longer white.

    Ji Yaoge tied a simple ponytail. The silk hung long, almost longer than his hair. Pleased, Yuan Huan nodded, jumping down, "Let¡¯s go, Sister Ji," stressing "sister.

    Ji Yaoge recalled something, leaning over the web, "The beast army retreated?"

    "The myriad beast venom is suppressed. They¡¯re dead or injured, not staying for food?" Yuan Huan scoffed.

    Ji Yaoge¡¯s eyes brightened¡ªso many dead beasts, three millennia-old beast cultivators, all potential spirit bones. nts and animals in their cycle, but beast bones¡ªrare, especially ancient ones.

    Seizing the moment, though she had little time.

    Even if it overwhelmed her, she''d absorb first, digestter.

    "I won¡¯t leave," she decided, sitting cross-legged to meditate.

    "...¡± Yuan Huan saw her settle, sensing the change. He couldn¡¯t see her spirit bones but was attuned to energies, seeing her actions clearly.

    The meditating woman, focused, still blood-stained, Yuan Huan muttered, "Filthy and ugly." But turned to leave.

    Outside, a wooden figure cried, "Brother Yuan, my hand! My hand!" She ran in, handless, unable to cry tears.

    Yuan Huan groaned, knowing she must be unaware of Ji Yaoge''s guess about his identity or hers.

    She must''ve realized, a smart cultivator.

    Yuan Huan anticipated the moment¡ªinteresting to settle scores with oneself.

 Vol. 1 - Chapter 34 - Enchantress

    Chapter 34: Enchantress

    As the sobbing cries reached the cave entrance, the tailing whimpers meant to evoke sympathy got stuck in her throat, transforming into a stifled "Uh." The wooden girl clutched her left arm, standing dazed at the doorway. Her crying expression, frozen on her face, looked somewhatedic.

    Bai Yan followed, stepping over the scattered beast corpses and stopping at the entrance with Xiao Bai, momentarily stunned.

    Admittedly, the scene before them was peculiar¡ªa spiderwebden cave, Ji Yaoge perched high on thergest web, lips stained with blood, her clothes dirty and tattered. Beneath her stood a fair-skinned young boy, his cool gaze aside, looking like a tasty morsel that had mistakenly walked into a spider¡¯sir.

    "Sister," Bai Yan''s concern returned after a brief pause.

    "She¡¯s meditating," the boy said, extending his hand toward the wooden girl.

    The wooden girl handed him her arm, cautiously calling, "Brother Yuan?" The boy simply responded with "Mm." Only then did she burst into loud sobs, "My arm, my arm, my arm..." The calm from before vanished as if it had never happened. The arm she had recently obtained was gone within two days, causing her excruciating pain.

    Bai Yan approached the web, heeding Yuan Huan¡¯s words not to disturb Ji Yaoge, observing her steady breathing. Most of the bloodstains weren''t her own, so he rxed, turning back to the two people. The wooden girl''s arm, severed, turned into a dry log. Just like she said, she wasn¡¯t human. Old Yuan had disappeared and was reced by a young boy with some resemnce to Xiao Bai¡ªwas this the "Brother Yuan" she kept mentioning?

    "Who is this?" Bai Yan inquired of Xiao Bai.

    "Brother Yuan," she answered simply. The boy remained silent, focused on examining the joint of her severed arm.

    "Brother Yuan, about Xiao Bai''s arm..." Bai Yan never cared much for formalities; the people here all had quirks enough for a dozen.

    Yuan Huan didn¡¯t respond. Quickly grabbing the wooden girl¡¯s shoulder, he infused two streaks of green light, reattaching the arm. With a "snap," the arm reconnected seamlessly. She waved her arm, delighted at the smooth movement, grinning widely, shaking off her earlier gloom. "Thank you, Brother Yuan.¡± Then she linked her arm with Bai Yan¡¯s, "And thank you, Brother Bai."

    Seeing her happiness, Yuan Huan smiled¡ªhis smile inscrutable.

    "Go clean up the battlefield and think about how to please her," he finally suggested.

    Her smile copsed instantly.

    ¡ª¡ª

    The cave inside and out was littered with beast corpses, making cleanupborious. To the rogue cultivators of Tiyu State or those with lower cultivation, these beast hides, bones, blood, and crystals were valuable materials. Only someone like Yuan Huan, with three thousand years of cultivation, ustomed to rare treasures, was indifferent. After scanning the battlefield, he pocketed a few items from the three beast cultivators'' storage bags, leaving the rest to Bai Yan and the wooden girl.

    The beasts retreated, the storm dissipated, and twilight settled. Unknowingly, the battle hadsted over a day.

    A stick of incense¡¯s worth of time was short. Ji Yaoge didn¡¯t have time to process all the beast spirits. These spirit bones were harder to digest than ordinary low-intelligence ones.

    Visually, high-level beast spirit bones were different, glowing faintly blue, more radiant, like pigeon-sized jade stones. The three beast cultivators¡¯ spirit bones were darker, purer blue.

    Though she couldn¡¯t process all the spirit bones in a single incense stick¡¯s time, she could swallow them¡ªthey weren¡¯t hard to absorb. Her speed was ten times faster than others, but these bones contained immense power, power that...

    Stirred her soul sea like ice shards striking warm flesh, causing her primordial spirit to tremble upon each intake. The three beast cultivators¡¯ spirit bones were even more potent, like hurling a bomb into calm waters, creating tumultuous waves.

    She underestimated the strength of these spirit bones and overestimated her endurance.

    Standing under the web, Yuan Huan watched Ji Yaoge¡¯s skin turn from normal white to pale blue, her expression pained. As the incense stick burned down, her eyes snapped open, her in face distorted, red veins spider-webbing her eyes, making them look terrifyingly seductive.

    A century, a millennium, wilderness survival¡ªthese obsessions swept her mind like a storm at sea. She struggled to maintain control, herposure cracking.

    "What technique do you practice?" Yuan Huan asked, leaning against the wall, watching her suffer.

    Locking eyes, she gripped the web, fiercely defiant, "Beautification... Perfection Technique." Her tone, taunting, didn¡¯t sound sincere.

    To her surprise, Yuan Huan didn¡¯t mock or scorn her. Instead, he appeared contemtive.

    "Beautification Perfection Technique?" Finally, he spoke, "You¡¯ve got guts, practicing the Enchanting Bone Art."

    Seeing her stunned look, he continued, "Surprised I know the Enchanting Bone Art?" He smirked, "There¡¯s nothing on Wanhua I don''t know."

    Indeed, Uncle Yuan Huan, owner of the Five Prisons Tower, was renowned not for his cultivation but for his chosen path¡ªstudying forbidden techniques and elixirs, understanding the mysteries of immortality, gaining profound insights. He knew more than his current realm suggested, making him sought after even by higher-level cultivators.

    Knowing about obscure arts like the Enchanting Bone Art wasn¡¯t surprising.

    He might even know more than her mere hearsay.

    "Revered Immortal, your knowledge is vast," Ji Yaoge gritted out, struggling to control her emotions.

    "Bit off more than you can chew, huh, Sister Ji?" The young boy grinned mischievously.

    She tightened her grip on the web, trying to appear sincere. "Then, Brother Yuan, how should I digest it?" Trying to adapt, she asked without pretense.

    Yuan Huan squinted, resembling the wooden girl¡¯s charm. Raising his hand, a green needle lodged into Ji Yaoge¡¯s brow.

    A sudden coldness surged, her primordial spirit encased in frost. The turbulent soul sea stilled, her runaway feelings subdued. Rubbing her brow, she questioned, "What is this?"

    "A Needle of rity," Yuan Huan stood straighter, "It stabilizes the primordial spirit, temporarily easing your condition. Itsts an hour."

    "Thank you," Ji Yaoge felt a wave of rity, enabling her to circte the Wonderful Lotus Mantra.

    "No need to thank me. I don¡¯t need another madman, not while Ren Zhongping is waiting for you." Yuan Huan turned away, hiding his excitement for studying the Enchanting Bone Art.

    Ji Yaoge resumed meditating before hepletely left the room.

    ¡ª¡ª

    As Yuan Huan warned, the Needle of rity¡¯s effectssted an hour. Running the Wonderful Lotus Mantra twice stabilized her emotions, preventing a full meltdown, though she couldn¡¯t fully process the spirit bones.

    Turning all spirit bones could take three months of seclusion, but shecked that time.

    Opening her eyes to a silent cave, she thought back to the fierce battle, wondering about the outside world. As she moved to leap down, her foot touched something hard.

    Beneath the web, a pile of items, herbs, elixirs, crystals, weapons¡ªeverything forming a small mountain, two faces peering up like eager pets awaiting her attention.

    Ren Zhongping and the wooden girl squatted side by side, hands on cheeks, faces turned skyward.

    "What are you doing?" Ji Yaoge asked, retracting her foot.

    "Waiting for you to wake up," the wooden girl smiled, losing her former fear.

    Ren Zhongping simply barked, "Fairy sister," like a happy puppy.

    "All of this," the wooden girl gestured grandly, circling the pile, "is for you."

    Ji Yaoge understood quickly¡ª

    When the spirit essence escaped, it likely followed Yuan Huan. Upon reuniting, the wooden girl, clearly non-human, was extremely sensitive to her and she felt a strange familiarity with her. This didn¡¯t need exnation.

    Yuan Huan must¡¯ve given her a hint, and now she cleverly chose a different approach instead of running away.

    "Is this the spoils from outside?" Ji Yaoge dangled from the web, asking.

    The wooden girl nodded fervently. "This is just from the three beast cultivators¡¯ storage bags. I¡¯ve reserved it for you. There are still more beast carcasses outside. Brother Bai is cleaning them up. Do you want to see?"

    Marking out her allegiance, the wooden girl wasn¡¯t stupid, knowing where her interestsy.

    With a casual sweep, Ji Yaoge stored the pile into her ring, finding a spot tond.

    The ring emitted a soft green light, signalingck of space. Nearly two centuries old, it was time for a new ring.

    "I¡¯ve organized most outside, waiting for you to inspect," the wooden girl continued, now admiring Ji Yaoge instead of fearing her.

    Ji Yaoge, sensing no ill intent, nodded and followed her out of the cave. Though beasts, unlike beast cultivators, had no bags of holding, every part of their bodies¡ªfrom hides to bones to blood to inner crystals¡ªwas valuable, useful for alchemy, weapon forging, or selling at markets.

    With Gao Badou¡¯s help, she had nevercked spiritual jade, but more wealth was never a problem, especially in resource-scarce Tiyu State.

    The cave mouth, once sealed, was now sted open. The corridor destroyed, like a gaping maw missing its teeth, sunlight flooding in. Outside, the orderly herb gardeny ruined, now a field of beast corpses. The wooden girl bounced ahead, with Ren Zhongping frolicking beside her, having been well-hidden from the beasts.

    Bai Yan, counting the loot, rushed forward seeing her, "Sister, are you well?"

    "I¡¯m fine. How about you?" Ji Yaoge squinted, seeing his dirtied white robes, more disheveled than hers, yet still handsome, ruggedly so. An unusual emotion bloomed. Without thinking, she reached out.

    Cold fingertips brushed Bai Yan¡¯s cheek, lingering at his lips, wiping away the blood. Bai Yan froze, then shook his head, "I¡¯m fine. It isn¡¯t my blood."

    "You¡¯re all dirty, how pitiful," Ji Yaoge¡¯s voice, soft and whimsical, unlike her usual straightforward tone.

    Battle-hardened Bai Yan blushed under her gaze, her demeanor changed, moving fluidly with a serpentine grace.

    "Sister, I¡¯m not pitiful," Bai Yan grasped her wandering hand, sensing something off.

    "Xiao Bai was right, you are very good-looking..." Sheughed softly, unbothered by his hold.

    The wooden girl and Bai Yan exchanged puzzled looks, finding no answer in each other''s eyes. ncing at Ren Zhongping¡ªuseless for answers.

    "Come closer, let me see," Ji Yaoge leaned toward Bai Yan, her eyes yful slits, her body lithe.

    Bai Yan, unprepared, felt awkward¡ªnormally he initiated any flirtation, and she would brush him off with a jest. Now roles reversed, he felt the tension and attraction, her softness within reach, his resolve faltering. He wasn¡¯t a saint.

    Suddenly¡ª

    Tworge kites flew overhead, the wind from their wings catching Ji Yaoge¡¯s attention. Landing on the rock before the cave were four unexpected guests who alighted.

    "Brother, look! Didn¡¯t I say yesterday¡¯s anomaly meant something? So many beast corpses!" a clear, excited voice called before even steadying her stance.

    Ji Yaoge nced over, releasing Bai Yan, and leaping towards them.

    The four neers, three men and one woman, wore simr azure robes with purple lingzhi embroidery and swords strapped to their backs¡ªnot typical of Tiyu State¡¯s local sects, though their cultivation wasn¡¯t high, they bore the air of disciples from a prominent sect.

    "Junior Sister Zhou, don¡¯t be loud," a fair-skinned, schrly-looking man chided the excited girl beside him.

    "So many treasures! Bringing these back will make everyone jealous!" another rough-looking man with a giant sword on his back eximed, jumping from the kite.

    "Calm down. We don¡¯t know if this mountain has an owner. With so many corpses, something¡¯s off. Better inform Senior Brother Gu," thest man, with a neat topknot, spoke more gravely.

    "Why should we report it! If we found it, it¡¯s ours!" The girl dismissed his words, marching ahead.

    "That¡¯s not right. Senior Brother Gu leads this trial. We should report," he persisted, only to be shoved aside by the rough man.

    "Get lost. You want to suck up to him, do it yourself."

    "Exactly," the girl giggled, linking arms with the schrly man, now affectionate. "Brother Lin, let¡¯s go..." Turning, she startled seeing Ji Yaoge standing ten steps away.

    When did she get there? They hadn¡¯t noticed.

    "Interested in these items?" Ji Yaoge asked, smiling warmly.

    The four stood stunned, "Who are you?"

    "A disciple of the Chixiu Pce, Ji Yaoge. And you?" Ji Yaoge introduced herself, eyes fixed on Brother Lin.

    The girl chewed on her words, suddenly paling, "Chixiu Pce? Isn¡¯t that the sect for seductresses?" Brother Lin began, "I am from the Autumn Sect..." but was cut off, "Brother Lin, don¡¯t talk to her! Those from the Chixiu Pce use enchantments. Keep away!"

    Her warning came toote. Ji Yaoge, already close, said, "What a handsome fellow..."

    Bai Yan, catching up, sighed, grabbing Ji Yaoge¡¯s hand, trying to wake her, but she kept staring at Brother Lin, his face red, unable to look away.

    Her face, though ordinary, seemed enticing. Bright eyes, a seductive gaze, a ruby between her brows adding allure, her body swayed like a willow, igniting a fire within. Even the two men behind Brother Lin blushed.

    "Stop looking!" Only Junior Sister Zhou remained unaffected, pulling Brother Lin behind her, ring at Ji Yaoge, "Witch!"

    Indeed, with Bai Yan on one side and Ren Zhongping on the other, it looked like Ji Yaoge had a harem of male pets.

    "Get lost!" Junior Sister Zhou snapped.

    Unexpectedly, Ji Yaoge focused on her, her aura shifting, "What a pretty girl, so lovely¡­" She pinched Junior Sister Zhou¡¯s cheek.

    "..." Junior Sister Zhou was dumbfounded.

    "..." Brother Lin was dumbfounded.

    "..." The other two men were dumbfounded.

    "What¡¯s happening?" The wooden girl, seeing Yuan Huan hiding nearby, ran over, stammering in shock, pointing at the scene.

    "Snake Demon Hook Chen,a beast of lustful; Red me Bird, a beast of desire," Yuan Huan, arms crossed,mented.

    What does that mean?

    The wooden girl didn¡¯t understand.

 Vol. 1 - Chapter 35 - Shock

    Chapter 35: Shock

    Zhou Ling had always been beautiful since childhood. Although she had encountered many lecherous men, she had never been flirted with by a woman. Her face turned bright red, and her arrogance diminished. Coming to her senses, she let out a shriek and buried her face in Senior Brother Lin Canzhi¡¯s chest.

    Ji Yaoge frowned, concerned, "Why is the little beauty crying?" She hadn¡¯t done much, after all. The girl was so easily teased. Just as she was about to reach out tofort her, the two male cultivators standing behind Lin Canzhi pulled out their swords with a ng.

    The sword light sharply delineated their boundaries. Bai Yan, quick-witted, pulled Ji Yaoge back. His expression darkened, and even Ren Zhongping felt the impending tension, crouching slightly in a defensive posture, letting out a low "hehe" sound.

    "Enchantress, you... you shameless woman!" Zhou Ling turned around, covering her cheek and scolding. Seeing Lin Canzhi¡¯s gaze fixed on Ji Yaoge, her anger red up again, and she screamed, "Senior Brother Feng, Junior Brother Chen, why aren''t you teaching her a lesson?!"

    The rough-looking male cultivator was named Chen, and without hesitation, he raised his sword to charge forward, only to be restrained by Senior Brother Feng.

    "Junior Brother Chen, Junior Sister Zhou, stay calm." Senior Brother Feng tried to diffuse the situation, blocking Junior Brother Chen while discreetly assessing the surroundings. Apart from the three in front of him, he spotted two others hiding further away¡ªyoung and seemingly harmless.

    "Exactly, no need for impulsiveness. Let''s talk it out." Ji Yaoge alternately looked at Zhou Ling and Lin Canzhi, smiling charmingly. She even gently held Bai Yan¡¯s hand, stepping forward and surveying Chen and Feng, her gaze alluring with every nce. "Where are you both from, Daoist friends?"

    "We... we are disciples of the Bixinzong sect from Qiutang Mountain..." Junior Brother Chen stammered, blushing under her gaze.

    "So, you¡¯re from Bixinzong. Nice to meet you," Ji Yaoge bowed softly, her smile ambiguous. "What brings you to Tiyu State?" She blinked, her pupils narrowing like a snake''s.

    "Three sects'' trial. We¡¯re here for..."

    "Junior Brother Chen!" Lin Canzhi snapped back to reality, cutting off his words. His fair, schrly face was now cautious.

    The realization dawned on them¡ªthey almost fell into her enchantment. Junior Brother Chen''s face turned purple with anger, while Senior Brother Feng¡¯s in face showed annoyance.

    Zhou Ling¡¯s teeth gnashed in fury, "I told you she¡¯s from an enchantment sect! Why waste words with her? These enchantment sects practice evil paths and deceit, tricking you fools." Her anger spread to her fellow disciples as well.

    "Funny, you barged into our territory uninvited, and now you me us? Even if we were practicing our arts here, how does it concern you? Or do you also want a taste of these pleasures?" Bai Yan coldly pulled Ji Yaoge behind him, his smile ice-cold, his gaze a mix of mockery and disdain.

    Disciples from orthodox sects and those like them, who walked the edges of society, often shed.

    Zhou Ling blushed with shame, Lin Canzhi''s ears reddened as he sneaked a nce at Ji Yaoge. Ji Yaoge bit her lip, giving Lin Canzhi a flirtatious look, making the bookish schr¡¯s face turn redder, his confidence shrinking.

    "Show some respect."

    Bai Yanughed, "We practice the unconventional. Respect is foreign to us. But I see you can¡¯t take your eyes off my senior sister. Do you want to stay? Does Bixinzong now practice pleasure arts? Should I give you a lesson?"

    "You!"

    "How dare you!"

    Several voices shouted in anger, and Bai Yan snapped, "If you don¡¯t n to stay, then leave. Why waste words?"

    Ji Yaoge kept smiling, enjoying Bai Yan¡¯s protection.

    "Junior Sister, we should report this to our senior brothers first," Senior Brother Feng still hoped to avoid further conflict, softly persuading.

    "Useless coward, if you¡¯re scared, stay aside." Zhou Ling, enraged, pushed Lin Canzhi away, swinging her sword and advancing. "What are you waiting for? There was an anomaly here yesterday, and many beasts are dead. Most likely they¡¯re practicing forbidden arts. They block us and use seductions. Can you tolerate this? ying them and taking the beasts is a merit!"

    "Junior Sister Zhou is right," Chen¡¯s thunderous voice roared as he swung his giant sword.

    The two attacked, giving no chance for further discourse. Bai Yan pulled Ji Yaoge back a few steps, but she coolly said, "You can stay for pleasure, but if you want my treasures, sorry..." She slipped from Bai Yan''s grasp, eyes sharp, and darted forward.

    Seeing the inevitable conflict, Lin and Feng had no choice but to join the fray. Bai Yanughed coldly, "Nice words, but you just want the beasts. Demon yers, my ass. Ren Zhongping, go!"

    Putting aside past grievances, Ren Zhongping lunged at Senior Brother Feng, letting out a chillingugh, while Bai Yan, his palms glowing red, confronted Junior Brother Chen. Ji Yaoge engaged Zhou Ling; Lin Canzhi, concerned for her, joined, forcing Ji Yaoge to fight two at once. She wasn¡¯t hurried, using her unique footwork and snake-like agility, weaving between them¡ªcaressing Lin Canzhi¡¯s face or Zhou Ling¡¯s waist.

    The two, teased to anger and shame, filled the air with Ji Yaoge¡¯s carefreeughter, like silver bells scattering everywhere.

    Ji Yaoge¡¯s antics left the wooden girl dumbfounded.

    "Brother Yuan, aren¡¯t you going to intervene?" The wooden girl feared Ji Yaoge would regret her actions when she came to her senses.

    "They can handle these four," Yuan Huan watched, arms crossed.

    Though the Bixinzong disciples were mid-tote Foundation Building stage, theyckedbat experience. Ji Yaoge and Bai Yan, both in thete Foundation Building stage, and Ren Zhongping, though weaker, were enough to handle them.

    Yuan Huan was more curious about why the three sects'' trial led them here.

    Bixinzong of Qiutang Mountain and Lingxiu Sect of Yinma River were both medium-sized sects nestled in the Wanzhen Mountain range, often tied to the Wu Xiang Sword Sect. Joint training among disciples wasn¡¯t unusual. But with Tiyu Statecking spiritual energy and notable beasts, it shouldn¡¯t have been chosen for their trial.

    Why then had theye?

    "Ah!" The wooden girl''s startled cry broke Yuan Huan¡¯s thoughts.

    Looking again, he saw Ji Yaoge holding Zhou Ling, leaning into Lin Canzhi¡¯s chest, throwing his swordy into disarray, while Zhou Ling¡¯s face turned white with anger. Ji Yaoge,ughing carefree, seemed to be enjoying herself, more teasing than seducing.

    Yuan Huan squinted¡ªit wasn¡¯t just the Demon Hook and Red me Bird affecting her; she wasn¡¯t entirely lost to them. She was embracing her wild side, no longer restrained.

    "Isn¡¯t this the change you wanted her to make?"

    The wooden girl fell silent at his pointedment.

    Meanwhile, Zhou Ling, enraged, broke free from Ji Yaoge and pulled out a round mirror held by twin monkey hands from her storage bag.

    "Junior Sister!" Lin Canzhi saw it, his face turning white, "Stop."

    But Zhou Ling, filled with malice, stepped back, letting Feng and Chen protect her, and aimed the mirror at the sky. The zing sun¡¯s light funneled into the mirror. Ji Yaoge sensed immense spiritual energy and heat emanating from it.

    "Bai Yan, Ren Zhongping, retreat," Ji Yaoge¡¯s voice turned cold, withdrawing and drawing her broken Xi¨¢ sword.

    "Toote!" Zhou Ling flipped the mirror, a scorching beam shot out.

    Everything it touched turned to ash.

    This wasn¡¯t an ordinary artifact, but a high-ranked spiritual treasure.

    The beam swept towards them, its power immense. Ji Yaoge dodged, while Bai Yan, trying to pull Ren Zhongping along, had his arm seared, the skin scorched to ck. He hissed but managed to pull Ren Zhongping to safety. Ji Yaoge, seeing Bai Yan¡¯s exposed bone, turned cold.

    A faint killing intent emerged, her yful demeanor gone.

    The beam moved towards the distant rock where two children stood. If it hit them, they¡¯d be annihted. Lin Canzhi, unable to bear it, tried to stop Zhou Ling, "Junior Sister, stop! Those two are innocent!"

    Zhou Ling, relentless, spat, "They¡¯re all the same!"

    The beam mercilessly swept the rock, turning it to ash. Zhou Ling¡¯sughter grew more triumphant, but the boy and girl at the rock stood still. As the beam touched them, golden light red.

    Boom¡ª

    Gold and red light shed, creating a blinding sh. Zhou Ling screamed, thrown back by an external force, losing her grip on the mirror. "Junior Sister!" The others cried, rushing to her aid.

    "Such a vicious woman." Yuan Huan, previously observing quietly, stepped out from the blinding light, the wooden girl trailing him.

    The mirror fell, caught smoothly by Yuan Huan.

    Lin Canzhi caught Zhou Ling, who coughed blood, her face pale. The overwhelming pressure made the four shiver uncontrobly, barely able to stand.

    "You... you..." Zhou Ling¡¯s voice trembled with fear.

    "Esteemed Elder, she is young and impetuous. Please forgive her," Senior Brother Feng spoke nervously.

    The overwhelming pressure exposed their vast difference in power¡ªthey had hit iron.

    "Young and impetuous?" Despite his youthful appearance, Yuan Huan''s single eye made them tremble in fear. "Her cruelty to even innocent children isn¡¯t something that can be excused by inexperience. Without my protection, we¡¯d be ashes."

    In their eyes, he and the wooden girl were just innocent kids taking refuge. Zhou Ling¡¯s merciless heart and cruel actions were shocking. Born of a reputable family, yet acting like a demon.

    "This... We beg for your forgiveness. We will report this to our master who will punish her ordingly," Senior Brother Feng spoke, signaling discreetly.

    "The Sr Mirror?" Yuan Huan examined the mirror.

    "Do you recognize it?" Senior Brother Feng, sweating, replied, "It¡¯s a treasured artifact of our sect, given to Junior Sister by our master for protection. Her recklessness almost caused a disaster." He continued to excuse Zhou Ling, hoping to leverage their sect¡¯s prestige.

    "Are you Zhou Mian¡¯s daughter?" Yuan Huan asked.

    "Yes. Do you know our master?" Senior Brother Feng brightened.

    Zhou Mian, the current sect master of Bixinzong, doted on Zhou Ling, making her arrogant and unruly.

    Yuan Huan didn¡¯t answer, tossing the mirror back. "Take it." Zhou Ling and the others brightened, but Yuan Huan¡¯s hand shot out a golden light, piercing the mirror.

    "No!"

    "The Sr Mirror!"

    Their cries filled the air as the mirror cracked and shattered.

    "Leave." Yuan Huan¡¯s voice was low, but powerful.

    The shattered mirror released a force that sent the four flying, tumbling off the mountain peak. Silent again, Ji Yaoge finished bandaging Bai Yan, watching the four fall, her killing intent dissipating, though anger remained. She turned to Yuan Huan, questioning, "You¡¯re letting them go?"

    Her soft tone, tinged with seduction like the Snake Demon¡¯s allure, blended with her rity, creating a unique temptation in her eyes.

    "If you want to kill them, do it yourself." Yuan Huan remained indifferent.

    Ji Yaoge stared at him intently, suddenly reaching out.

    "Brother Yuan, I realize... you¡¯re so good." She hugged the boy, pressing his head to her chest.

    The wooden girl¡¯s mouth formed an "O," shocked beyond words, while Bai Yan was equally stunned. Only Ren Zhongping pped and cheered, "Fairy sister, well done!"

    "..." Yuan Huan was equally surprised, his cold face buried in her chest.

    The softness wasn¡¯t overwhelming, but it was filled with a woman¡¯s scent, with her warm heartbeat and body heat pressing against his face, making him feel suffocated.

    Satisfied, Ji Yaoge was about to speak when a cool spiritual energy surged into her, rushing to her soul. A stabbing pain cleared her mind, dispersing the influences. She blinked, rity returning.

    "I..." Her words cut off, seeing the boy looking up from her chest.

    "Was it fun, Sister Ji?"

    This was the second time Yuan Huan had asked her that.

    Ji Yaoge, utterly shocked, forgot to let go.

 Vol. 1 - Chapter 36 - Knowledge in Action

    Chapter 36: Knowledge in Action

    Hehe.

    Ji Yaoge let out a dryugh.

    A simr situation had urred 198 years ago. She thought she had gained enough control over her emotions, but she had clearly overestimated herself. Her memory was intact, and the situation was even more terrifying than it had been 198 years ago. Everything that had just happened reyed in her mind as her consciousness cleared, finally freezing on the image of the young boy buried in her chest.

    The idea of digging a hole and burying herself in it was obviously unrealistic. She forced herself to think¡ªshould she shamelessly act as if nothing had happened and leave, or should she grab Bai Yan and flee for her life? After all, she had just flirted with a cultivator in the Nascent Soul stage, and it didn¡¯t seem like he had taken the flirtation as a sudden stroke of luck. This was equivalent to challenging his dignity and image in front of everyone, and his mood was unpredictable. She couldn¡¯t be sure if he would get angry.

    This survival instinct overcame her embarrassment¡ªafter all, shecked the <strong>ÓÄ¾«</strong> (Youjing, a type of spiritual essence), so her difort with intimate contact was based only on moral understanding, without deeper feelings. Even if there was a slight surge of emotion, it belonged to the Snake Demon Hook Chen, and it dissipated once her mind cleared. She was still the emotionless Ji Yaoge.

    The young boy had already slipped out of her weak grip, distancing himself from that sea of femininity. His expression was calm, his eyes revealing no waves, and his lips curled up, but his eyebrows were rxed, and the corners of his eyes were smooth¡ªa perfect example of a smile that didn¡¯t reach the eyes.

    "I..." She wanted to apologize, but after a moment of consideration, the words that came out were, "I think I need to go into seclusion for a while."

    Yuan Huan stared at her, speaking slowly, "Then you¡¯d better hurry. If you wait too long, I¡¯m afraid you¡¯ll rpse." With that, he turned and walked away, showing no intention of delving deeper.

    Ji Yaoge held her head, which felt like it was being pricked by needles, and watched him walk far away before finally letting out a sigh of relief. She turned to meet Bai Yan¡¯s inquisitive gaze.

    "Senior Sister, who is he?" Bai Yan asked.

    "Old Yuan, the owner of this ce. You can also call him Yuan Huan," Ji Yaoge replied, rubbing her temples.

    Bai Yan¡¯s jaw dropped. "So, you just flirted with a cultivator in the Nascent Soul stage?"

    "So what?" Ji Yaoge had issues with the word "flirt," but there was no denying the truth.

    Bai Yan¡¯s expression shifted from "Senior Sister, you¡¯re amazing" to "Senior Sister, you¡¯re so calm" to "Senior Sister, you¡¯re biased," his gaze gradually turning resentful. "Senior Sister, this isn¡¯t fair."

    Ji Yaoge, already heading back to the cave, was puzzled. "Fair?"

    "I¡¯ve never been buried in a chest," Bai Yan¡¯s face clearly expressed his desire¡ª¡¯I want to be buried in a chest too.¡¯

    "Get lost!" Ji Yaoge¡¯s face heated up, and she kicked him, quickening her pace.

    Bai Yan called after her, "Senior Sister, next time you have a qi deviation, remember to call me to serve you." Although he didn¡¯t understand the specifics, based on her conversation with Yuan Huan, he guessed she might have had a qi deviation.

    Such a good qi deviation¡ªhe hoped it would happen again.

    His answer was a piece of beast bone that Ji Yaoge picked up and threw at him. Ren Zhongping stomped his feet, pping and cheering, "Fairy Sister, you¡¯re amazing! I want a qi deviation too!"

    "..." Ji Yaoge didn¡¯t want to talk anymore.

    ¡ª¡ª

    The wooden girl didn¡¯t follow Ji Yaoge but chose to stay by Yuan Huan¡¯s side.

    After all, they were the same person. Watching her main body make a fool of herself, as a part of the soul, she also felt embarrassed. However, both the flirt and the one being flirted with seemed indifferent, so exining further would only make it worse. After carefully observing Yuan Huan¡¯s expression for a while, the wooden girl finally made up her mind, "Brother Yuan, have you ever had a woman?"

    Yuan Huan had been waiting for the wooden girl to speak, but he hadn¡¯t expected her to ask this question.

    "Hmm?" He made a questioning sound as he entered the stone cave. "I¡¯ve lived for three thousand years. What do you think?"

    It was a rhetorical question. The wooden girl scratched her head, finding it hard to answer¡ªsaying no might hurt his pride; saying yes, well, the facts spoke for themselves¡ªshe hadn¡¯t seen any.

    "In the past two hundred years, probably not," the wooden girl answered carefully. "Although many women admire Brother Yuan, and there are many beautiful ones, like Fairy Yunlian, who pursued Brother Yuan for many years, Brother Yuan has remained pure and steadfast, decisively rejecting them." After following him for 198 years, the wooden girl hadn¡¯t wasted her time. "Fairy Yunlian is so beautiful, a national beauty, but Brother Yuan didn¡¯t even waver..."

    There was a hint of regret in her tone.

    "What are you trying to say?" Yuan Huan grew impatient with her rambling.

    "Brother Yuan must be waiting for a woman who can make you fall in love at first sight," the wooden girl¡¯s romantic side kicked in, her eyes filled with peach blossoms. "Just now... when you were hugged, how did it feel?"

    Yuan Huan didn¡¯t hesitate, "It hurt my face."

    "..." The wooden girl was at a loss for words. After thinking for a moment, she asked, "Is that all?"

    "What else do you want?" Yuan Huan¡¯s patience was wearing thin.

    "That¡¯s good, I¡¯m relieved," the wooden girl sighed with relief, clutching her chest. "I was just afraid you¡¯d fall in love with her. You know, she¡¯s missing me, so she won¡¯t feel emotions. And as for me, even though Brother Yuan is so good, I already have someone I like. Sigh. You were born before me, and I was born when you were already old..." Her words were heavy with emotion, but her phrasing was imprecise, typical of a young person trying to sound poetic.

    Yuan Huan was shocked¡ªsuch arge <strong>ÓÄ¾«</strong> (Youjing, a type of spiritual essence) was a rare sight.

    He grabbed the wooden girl, his face cold, "Do you think she¡¯s the kind of woman who would make me fall in love at first sight?" Was he blind? With a wave of his hand, he didn¡¯t wait for her to answer and threw the wooden girl out of the cave.

    The cave door closed tightly, finally bringing peace to his ears. He raised his hand and tossed out a talisman. The talisman emitted a faint white light, and a shadowy figure appeared within it. Yuan Huan sped his hands in greeting before speaking, "Brother Tang, I hope you¡¯ve been well."

    The shadowy figure smiled, a bit of warmth breaking through his otherwise icy expression, like a flower blooming in the dead of winter. He was an extremely handsome man.

    "Brother Yuan, what brings you to me?" His voice was as pleasant as his appearance.

    "I need you to investigate something. The three sects¡¯ trial at Wanzhen Mountain¡ªdoes it have anything to do with the Linghai incident?" Yuan Huan got straight to the point.

    Tang Huai didn¡¯t respond, but Yuan Huan understood, "Don¡¯t worry, the usual rules between us apply¡ªmutual benefit. If there¡¯s news about Linghai, Brother Tang will certainly be rewarded."

    "I¡¯ll get back to you in three days," Tang Huai nodded, and his shadowy figure quickly disappeared.

    ¡ª¡ª

    Luofeng Mountain in Tiyu State was where the main peak of Tiyu Mountain, Shen Ting¡¯s cave, Guiyunxu, was located. It was also the ce with the most abundant spiritual energy in the entire Tiyu State. Although Guiyunxu wasrge and luxuriously built, it wasn¡¯t a sect¡ªit was just Shen Ting¡¯s cultivation cave, where he kept many female cultivators and servants to serve them. Essentially, Shen Ting was just a rtively powerful rogue cultivator. Although he managed this mountain range, he had no intention of founding a sect, preferring to live a carefree life.

    Thanks to the tributes from the seven major sects, his life had been quitefortable until 198 years ago, when the battle between Yuan Huan and Xiao Wuheng destroyed most of Tiyu State, plunging him into hardship. However, after so much time had passed, everything had been rebuilt, and his carefree days had returned.

    "This Tiyu State isn¡¯t too big or too small. The seven sects and sixteen factions all give me some face. If you encounter any difficulties, just send someone to inform me, and I¡¯ll do my best to help," Shen Ting said, waving the feather fan in his hand, his face full of smiles as he personally escorted the guests who had arrived that morning to the mountain gate. He was surrounded by several beautiful concubines and a dozen servants, putting on the grandest disy to wee the two young cultivators, a man and a woman, who hade with a light entourage.

    The two guests, however, were much more reserved, their manners impable, leaving no room for criticism. Despite Shen Ting¡¯s ostentatious disy, they exuded a subtle sense of nobility and pride. Although their cultivation levels were slightly lower than Shen Ting¡¯s, they didn¡¯t show the respect usually expected when facing a higher-level cultivator. Shen Ting, for his part, didn¡¯t exert any pressure on them, instead, he seemed somewhat eager to please.

    It was clear that these two had a background that forced Shen Ting to treat them with caution.

    "Thank you, Mountain Lord Shen," the female cultivator spoke first, her gentle voice instantly making a good impression. She was fair-skinned and beautiful, with delicate features. Dressed in a sky-blue robe and holding a jade-green bone flute, she had an air of otherworldliness. However,pared to the male cultivator beside her, her otherworldliness seemed rather in.

    The male cultivator was handsome, with a strong, masculine beauty. His sword-like eyebrows and starry eyes radiated confidence, like a painting in bold strokes. He carried an innate nobility and pride, even in his well-mannered behavior. His smile, which should have been as warm as a spring breeze, had a hint of aloofness, though only a little. His sect¡¯s teachings of humility and courtesy were deeply ingrained, giving him excellent manners, but his pride was etched into his very bones.

    "Thank you, Mountain Lord Shen," he and the female cultivator spoke in unison, their tone warm and polite.

    "You¡¯re too kind. It¡¯s an honor for Tiyu State to host the three sects¡¯ trial. I¡¯ve met your masters a few times, so we¡¯re old friends. It¡¯s only right for me to look after the younger generation of the three sects," Shen Ting said, waving his feather fan.

    Gu Xingzhi smiled. Although Shen Ting imed to have met their masters, it was likely only from a distance at a grand event in Wanzhen Mountain, and they hadn¡¯t even exchanged a word. But Gu Xingzhi didn¡¯t expose him, instead politely saying, "I¡¯ll remember Mountain Lord Shen¡¯s kindness. When I return, I¡¯ll report it to my master. If there¡¯s an opportunity, we¡¯ll invite you to Wanzhen Mountain for a gathering."

    "Oh, you¡¯re too kind," Shen Ting said, his smile revealing his teeth.

    "It¡¯s gettingte, we should take our leave. Mountain Lord, please stay," Gu Xingzhi said as he reached the bottom of the stone steps, sping his hands in farewell.

    Shen Ting waved his feather fan, "Take care, young friends." But after watching them leave, his expression changed slightly.

    Gu Xingzhi and Zhao Jing flew back on their swords, and as they rode the clouds, Zhao Jing couldn¡¯t help but speak up, "Senior Brother Gu, that Shen Ting is an old fox. He didn¡¯t let anything slip, not even a hint."

    Gu Xingzhi stared straight ahead at the endless sea of clouds, his tone calm, "That¡¯s normal. The cleaner he tries to appear, the more suspicious he is."

    The three sects¡¯ trial was held in Tiyu State, and Shen Ting was the mountain lord here. Even though Wanzhen Mountain was powerful, a strong dragon wouldn¡¯t suppress a local snake. Gu Xingzhi had to inform Shen Ting in advance. His visit wasn¡¯t just to pay respects but also to gather information about the battle between Xiao Yuan and Yuan Huan. However, Shen Ting, despite his rough appearance, was tight-lipped, ying verbal games with them for half a day without revealing anything.

    "If we could find Uncle Yuan¡¯s whereabouts soon, Senior Sister Bai would suffer less," Zhao Jing said, her brows furrowing with regret.

    At the mention of Bai Yun, Gu Xingzhi¡¯s gaze briefly shifted to Zhao Jing but quickly returned to the front. "Thank you for your concern on behalf of my junior sister."

    Though his gaze was brief, it made Zhao Jing¡¯s ethereal demeanor blush with a touch of human emotion and a hint of sadness¡ªonly when Bai Yun was mentioned did he pay her any attention.

    His gentleness was like the moon in a deep, cold pond, unreachable by others, reserved only for Bai Yun.

    After exchanging a few words, they fell silent. Gu Xingzhi, preupied with his thoughts, was particrly quiet. Finding Yuan Huan wasn¡¯t just for Bai Yun; it also involved a secret order from the sect, but no one else knew, and he didn¡¯t say more. Zhao Jing wasn¡¯t from their sect; she was the senior sister of Lingxiu Sect, so he couldn¡¯t reveal too much.

    After flying for a while, they arrived at Chuilian Mountain, where the disciples of the three sects were staying. They descended from the clouds, and the disciples who had been sent out for trials during the day had all returned, now gathered in a chaotic and excited crowd.

    "What¡¯s going on?"

    Gu Xingzhi¡¯s voice rang out, and the chaotic crowd immediately parted and quieted down. Among these disciples, all in the Foundation Building stage, Gu Xingzhi, with his mid-stage Core Formation cultivation, was undoubtedly the leader. In other small sects, someone of his level could already establish their own sect, but in Wanzhen Mountain, he was still the outstanding young senior brother, beloved by his elders and respected by his peers, with high prestige.

    "Senior Brother Gu, you came just in time. Come and see, the four disciples from Bixinzong have been seriously injured, and Junior Sister Zhou is the worst off," someone immediately reported.

    Gu Xingzhi frowned. Zhou Ling was the daughter of Bixinzong¡¯s sect master, Zhou Mian. If she was injured during the trial, he would be held responsible. Zhou Mian was known for being narrow-minded and protective, and if word got back to the three sects, there would likely be trouble. With this in mind, he quickly walked into the crowd and saw the four Bixinzong disciples lying on the ground, with Zhou Ling in the worst condition, her face pale and her breathing erratic.

    "The... Sr Mirror..." Zhou Ling¡¯s eyes reddened when she saw Gu Xingzhi, looking at him pitifully.

    Catching Gu Xingzhi¡¯s puzzled look, Lin Canzhi exined, "The Sr Mirror was destroyed."

    Gu Xingzhi was shocked¡ªthe Sr Mirror was a powerful treasure of Bixinzong, and destroying it wasn¡¯t something an ordinary cultivator could do.

    "Who did you encounter?" he asked.

    "At Shigong Ridge, that enchantress was practicing her dark arts. My senior brothers and I went to investigate but were discovered. She used her enchantments to try to capture us for her cultivation. We had no choice but to fight back, but her subordinates were powerful. We barely escaped with our lives. Senior Brother Gu, you must help us get justice. That enchantress is truly hateful!" Zhou Ling said, her eyes red with hatred.

    "You went to Shigong Ridge on your own?" Gu Xingzhi¡¯s expression darkened, wanting to scold them, but seeing their miserable state, he swallowed his reprimand and instead asked, "Who is this enchantress?"

    "A disciple of the Chixiu Pce seductress sect... Ji Yaoge."

 Vol. 1 - Chapter 37 - The Weapon

    Chapter 37: The Weapon

    Ji Yaoge entered seclusion.

    If she didn¡¯t, she feared she might truly be a demoness trapped in a spider¡¯sir. Although she retreated into the stone chamber, she knew she wouldn¡¯t have three months or more to cultivate in peace. She needed to act quickly.

    Taking out the jade slip of the Enchanting Bone Art, she infused her divine sense into it¡ª

    The darkness before her eyes gradually faded, revealing a familiar scene: Yuan Huan¡¯s "Spider Cave." A massive spider web hung in mid-air, and Meigu sat atop it, her skirt slit high, revealing two long legs dangling and swaying in the air. She held a long smoking pipe in her hand, her gaze piercing through the smoke she exhaled from her red lips, looking down at Ji Yaoge.

    It seemed she was prepared for a long conversation today.

    Ji Yaoge thought as much.

    There was no need for Ji Yaoge to exin her problems; Meigu already understood everything. "So, how does it feel to choke on more than you can handle?"

    "..." Ji Yaoge found her smile as annoying as Yuan Huan¡¯s, but she had to admit, "Not good."

    "You were too greedy. That¡¯s not a good thing," Meigu blew another ring of smoke at her, her misty eyes carrying a seductive charm.

    "I admit it." Ji Yaoge didn¡¯t try to defend her greed. The opportunity was too rare; she was like a poor person who suddenly discovered a treasure trove¡ªthere was no reason to leave empty-handed.

    "You tried to run before you could walk. You deserved it," Meigu said coldly.

    "Besides the Wonderful Lotus Mantra, is there no other way to control emotions?" Ji Yaoge epted the rebuke and shifted to the topic she was more concerned about. She couldn¡¯t always absorb spirit bones lower than her own level, just as she couldn¡¯t guarantee that every enemy she encountered would be weaker than her. Even if there wasn¡¯t a one-size-fits-all solution, she believed there had to be a way to reasonably control her emotions.

    Meigu twirled the smoking pipe in her hand, then jumped down from the spider web, exhaling smoke to either side. The smoke suddenly transformed into two figures. Ji Yaoge raised an eyebrow, recognizing the Snake Demon Hook Chen and the Red me Bird. The two demons nked Meigu, their forms flickering in and out of the smoke.

    "The Wonderful Lotus Mantra is just an aid, helping you stay calm while absorbing spirit bones, but it can¡¯t guarantee you won¡¯t be affected. Hook Chen, Red me, Jiang Jiao¡ªthese are all demon beasts that have cultivated for a thousand years. A thousand years of worldly experience condensed into their final obsessions before death. The emotions contained within are things you¡¯ve never experienced before. How can you expect to control them so easily?" Meigu, apanied by the illusions of the two demons, paced toward her. "If you can¡¯t fullyprehend them, you can¡¯tpletely dissolve them. They will remain in your soul sea forever. You might be able to control and use them, turning their nature into a weapon of seduction, but you¡¯ll never be able to fully integrate them, to wield these emotions at will, or to incorporate them into your soul, transforming them into the Enchanting Bone in others¡¯ hearts."

    Ji Yaoge suddenly thought of the swordsmanship principles of the Wu Xiang Sword Sect¡ªthose profound yetmon teachings that they often heard but also often forgot because they never truly understood them. Meigu¡¯s words were simr to the sword intent of the Wu Xiang Sword Sect.

    It was like a sword. When she couldn¡¯t master the sword techniques, the sword was just a sword, and if it exceeded her abilities, it might even harm her. When she mastered the techniques but hadn¡¯t grasped the sword intent, the sword became a weapon, but only a weapon. When she understood the sword''s intent and integrated the sword into her soul, the sword became a part of her, naturally under her control. Beyond that, when the sword intent became fully integrated, it was the unity of man and sword. Not only could she control it at will, but the sword could move with her thoughts, transforming into a sword spirit, the ultimate realm of swordsmanship.

    The two concepts were likely the same.

    But now, she was only at the lowest level of the path of enchantment.

    "Mind techniques are difficult to cultivate. Now that you¡¯ve reached the Foundation Establishment stage, you can absorb the spiritual energy of heaven and earth. If you want to return to traditional cultivation methods, it¡¯s still possible. Although slower, it¡¯s more stable. What I¡¯ve taught you so far is only the most basic method. However, once you formally step into the path of Enchanting Bone, there¡¯s no turning back. Your primordial spirit, soul sea, and entire being will change, tempered by countless emotions. The beliefs and rules you once held dear will be shattered. You will no longer be the person you were, but you must still retain your original heart, uncorrupted. This is a difficult path. Your enemy will be yourself, not external dangers. Think it over carefully."

    Meigu spoke slowly, and Ji Yaoge looked at her, sometimes seeing Hook Chen, sometimes seeing Red me, the two constantly shifting, never revealing her true form.

    She was giving Ji Yaoge a choice, acknowledging that she had always held back in her teachings. Only by showing Ji Yaoge the difficulties and dangers of this path could the choice be meaningful.

    Ji Yaoge didn¡¯t answer immediately. She was no longer impulsive, but she didn¡¯t hesitate for long either. Just as she had chosen to devour the spirit bones of demon beasts, every choice carried risks. Indeed, she could return to traditional cultivation methods now, but even at the Foundation Establishment stage, this body couldn¡¯tpare to Bai Yun¡¯s talent. She could only follow the old path, cultivating step by step, which was far less exciting than the Enchanting Bone Art.

    The uncertainty, whether good or bad, stirred her, awakening the long-suppressed adventurous spirit within her. She was bing less like her old self, or rather, she was increasingly unwilling to be a conventional person.

    "I¡¯ve thought it through. I want to cultivate the Enchanting Bone mind technique."

    Meigu¡¯s expression wasn¡¯t exactly one of approval or admiration, but it was at least one of relief.

    "Very well, then I will teach you the third chapter of the Enchanting Bone mind technique¡ªthe <strong>Hua Hun Shu</strong> (Soul Transformation Technique)."

    The illusions of the Snake Demon and Red me Bird merged with Meigu, her appearance unchanged, but she now possessed the allure of both the snake and the bird. She was still the same person, but with an added charm that didn¡¯t belong to her.

    "The Soul Transformation Technique uses the power of the soul sea to suppress and utilize spirit bones, transforming them into weapons. There are two ways to practice this technique. The first is to suppress the spirit bones into your soul, forming your <strong>Meixiang</strong> (Enchanting Form). This is a superficial transformation, useful for illusion and seduction. The second is to refine the spirit bones into spiritual weapons, granting you the innate killing move of the spirit bone¡¯s original owner. The former is reversible; if you want to enter seclusion for cultivation, you can revert the Enchanting Form back into spirit bones for furtherprehension. Thetter is irreversible, and each spirit bone can only be refined into one spiritual weapon, which can only be used once."

    Ji Yaoge listened intently, her heart pounding. The power of the Soul Transformation Technique was evident in Meigu¡¯s brief exnation. To possess the innate killing move of a spirit bone¡¯s original owner, even if only once, was a significant advantage for any cultivator.

    However, such a powerful technique wouldn¡¯t be easy to master. Though excited, she didn¡¯t interrupt, and sure enough, Meigu continued, "Of course, refining spiritual weapons isn¡¯t easy. There¡¯s a high chance of failure, resulting in a wasted spirit bone. Additionally, the spirit bones suppressed in your soul sea aren¡¯t dissolved. While you can use them, they can also backfire, subtly influencing your behavior and even turning passive into active control. These are uncontroble risks. Naturally, if you want to truly master this technique, dissolving andprehending the spirit bones is the only way. The Wonderful Lotus Mantra and Soul Transformation Technique are merely aids to the Enchanting Bone mind technique. Do you understand?"

    "I understand," Ji Yaoge nodded solemnly.

    "Then let¡¯s begin." Meigu flew back to the spider web and sat down.

    Ji Yaoge closed her eyes.

    ¡ª¡ª

    Once she entered seclusion, the rising and setting of the sun and moon no longer mattered to her.

    Her soul sea churned, the undissolved spirit bones swirling in the vortex like a beautiful star cluster. Her divine sense transformed into a giant hand in the void of her primordial spirit, fishing out the spirit bones from the vortex. She tightly wrapped them with her primordial spirit¡¯s power, seeking out the purest essence within each bone, then using the primordial spirit¡¯s power to ignite a fire, slowly refining the spirit bones into spiritual weapons the size of a fist¡ª

    This process required her to focus her divine sense intensely, controlling the primordial spirit¡¯s fire. Each spirit bone required a different level of heat, testing not only her concentration and the strength of her primordial spirit but also her control over it.

    The entire process was less about refining spiritual weapons and more about tempering her primordial spirit, making her divine sense more stable and her primordial spirit stronger. This was also a form of foundational cultivation.

    When her primordial spirit became strong enough, it meant her Dao heart was firm, making her less susceptible to external influences. No matter how many temptations surrounded her, she could remain true to herself.

    Bang¡ª

    The first spiritual weapon exploded within her primordial spirit, turning into useless fragments.

    The second, third... the tenth... all shattered into useless bone fragments. It wasn¡¯t until the eighteenth attempt that she achieved a small sess, refining a deep gray spiritual weapon.

    Spiritual weapons came in different grades. Though all contained the innate killing move of the spirit bone¡¯s original owner, their strength varied depending on the refinement process. A gray spiritual weapon indicated iplete refinement, making it the lowest grade. Its effectiveness would be limited. Above gray were blue, green, and white, with white being the purest and most powerful, but also the hardest to refine.

    Ji Yaoge spent day and night refining spiritual weapons. Initially, she failed more often than not, but as she progressed, she could consistently produce gray-grade spiritual weapons. With practice, she began to produce blue-grade weapons, and asionally, green-grade ones. This wasrgely thanks to therge number of spirit bones she had absorbed, allowing her to practice and advance faster than others.

    When she had refined most of the ordinary demon beast spirit bones, only the three most difficult ones remained: Hook Chen, Red me, and Jiang Jiao. These three spirit bones were too precious to waste by refining them into spiritual weapons. After some thought, she decided to refine only Jiang Jiao¡¯s spirit bone into a spiritual weapon, while the other two would be used for her Enchanting Form.

    The process of forming an Enchanting Form was simr to refining spiritual weapons, relying on the power of the primordial spirit. First, she infused her divine sense into the spirit bone, using her own divine sense to suppress the bone¡¯s obsession, then buried the spirit bone deep within her soul sea using the power of her primordial spirit. This process was simpler than refining spiritual weapons, with less chance of error, but it consumed more of her primordial spirit. After burying Hook Chen and Red me¡¯s bones in her soul sea, her primordial spirit and spiritual energy were exhausted, forcing her to meditate for a full cycle before refining the final Jiang Jiao Lion¡¯s spirit bone.

    She saved this spirit bone forst because Jiang Jiao Lion¡¯s cultivation was the highest, making it the hardest to refine. But she didn¡¯t want to waste such a valuable spirit bone¡ªfailure was not an option.

    Her soul sea roiled, pushing out the final Jiang Jiao Lion spirit bone. The primordial spirit¡¯s fire flickered, slowly refining the spirit bone, its color and shape gradually changing. Ji Yaoge wasn¡¯t in a hurry, adjusting her state of mind to its peak...

    Bang.

    A small explosion sounded as the primordial spirit¡¯s fire extinguished, leaving a green spiritual weapon floating in mid-air.

    Ji Yaoge opened her eyes, her body drenched in sweat.

    The Jiang Jiao Lion, with a thousand years of cultivation, had reached a level close to the Golden Core stage of human cultivators. Its green-grade innate killing move¡ªLion King¡¯s Roar¡ªwas a technique capable of challenging Core Formation cultivators in life-and-death battles.

    This was her terrifying weapon for fighting above her level.

    ¡ª¡ª

    With the spirit bones refined, Ji Yaoge meditated for several more cycles, restoring her primordial spirit and spiritual energy to normal before emerging from the stone chamber.

    One Jiang Jiao Lion¡¯s green-grade spiritual weapon, nine ordinary demon beast green-grade spiritual weapons, and countless blue and gray-grade spiritual weapons¡ªshe hadn¡¯t even counted them all. Such a massive harvest put her in a great mood, helping her move past the shadow of losing control. She stepped out of the stone chamber, feeling refreshed.

    Outside, more than ten days had passed.

    Two more snowfalls had nketed Shigong Ridge in white. The demon beast corpses piled outside the cave had been cleaned up, with the furs, bones, blood, and crystals neatly sorted and stored in various stone chambers. Although the damaged cave hadn¡¯t been repaired, the mess had been cleaned up. The wooden girl and Bai Yan were indeed efficient.

    During this time, the wooden girl had also selected the best furs and sewn a set of clothes for everyone. As Ji Yaoge stepped out, Xiao Bai was draping a snow fox cloak over Bai Yan. Seeing her emerge, she quickly abandoned Bai Yan, grabbed a cloak, and rushed over to her.

    "You¡¯re out." The wooden girl had changed her strategy. To gain a few more days of freedom, she decided to tter herself. She unfolded the cloak and smiled warmly, "Try it on. I sewed this cloak using Fire Sparrow feathers. It¡¯s light, beautiful, warm, and resistant to both water and fire."

    Fire Sparrows were flocking demon beasts, each bird no bigger than a palm. To sew this cloak, she must have spent considerable effort gathering enough feathers. But there was no denying that the Fire Sparrow feathers were indeed beautiful. The fine red feathers shimmered with a golden-orange hue in the sunlight, and the natural patterns on the feathers resembled flickering mes, adding a touch of vitality to the cloak.

    Ji Yaoge spread her arms, and the wooden girl, delighted, draped the cloak over her shoulders. Ji Yaoge¡¯s voice, soft and tinged with amusement, said, "You¡¯ve put in a lot of effort."

    The breath brushed past her ear, and the wooden girl suddenly stammered, "I-I-I... it was no trouble, no trouble at all." She felt her heart pounding like a drum.

    By then, Bai Yan had approached, his eyes lighting up as he looked at Ji Yaoge. He praised, "Beautiful! Senior Sister should have dressed like this long ago."

    Ji Yaoge looked at him. Bai Yan was already handsome, and the snow fox cloak made him look even more refined and elegant, with a touch of otherworldliness. She smiled, her eyes curving, "Junior Brother looks great too, even more handsome."

    There was a warmth in her eyes that had never been there before, making Bai Yan¡¯s heart skip a beat. Something felt off, but when he looked closely, she seemed no different¡ªjust...

    "Ji Yaoge,e inside." A cold voice came from the cave entrance. Yuan Huan had appeared in the snow, still wearing his thin robe, and called out to her.

    Seeing his serious expression, as if something urgent hade up, Ji Yaoge nodded and headed back into the cave. After a few steps, the wooden girl grabbed her hand.

    "This is for Brother Yuan. He¡¯s been acting scary these past two days. Can you give it to him for me?" The wooden girl stuffed a piece of clothing into her arms.

    Ji Yaoge nced at it and smiled, "Alright," before continuing into the cave.

    The wooden girl watched her retreating figure and nudged Bai Yan with her elbow. "Big Brother Bai, don¡¯t you think she¡¯s be... cooler?"

    "No," Bai Yan also stared at her retreating figure. "I think she¡¯s be more beautiful..."

    Cooler? More beautiful? It was hard to say.

    It just felt like she was different.

 Vol. 1 - Chapter 38 - Enchantment Technique

    Chapter 38: Enchantment Technique

    Yuan Huan¡¯s cultivation level meant he wasn¡¯t afraid of the cold. The garment the wooden girl had sewn for him wasn¡¯t meant for warmth. It was a tight-fitting leather armor made from dragon rhinoceros hide, smooth and sleek to the touch, resistant to cuts and stabs¡ªa superb piece of defensive gear. The wooden girl had a good eye for materials.

    Ji Yaoge found the texture of the leather armor pleasing and followed Yuan Huan into the stone chamber, While touching it all the way.

    This was her first time entering this stone chamber. It wasn¡¯trge, but the three tall cabs against the wall were filled with various strange bottles and jars. The gemstones embedded in the ceiling emitted a silver light, leaving no shadows in the room. In the center was a long stone table cluttered with items, resembling a pharmacy with delicate scales for weighing medicine, tools for grinding herbs, various-sized cauldrons, and papers covered in ink scattered in the corners.

    These didn¡¯t match Yuan Huan¡¯s image¡ªhe didn¡¯t seem like a messy and unkempt man. But here, he seemed like a different person. His sleeves were stained with ck spots, his long robe was tucked into his waist for easier movement, and his bangs were casually tucked behind his ears. Even his previously indifferent gaze had turned into one of meticulous focus.

    It was as if this was his true battlefield and ce of cultivation.

    "I mentioned before that using external forcesbined with your enchantment technique to disguise as Xiao Wuheng could be tried. I¡¯ve researched it, and it¡¯s possible," Yuan Huan said, pushing aside the clutter on the table to make space for two items.

    "The blood of the Qinghe Demon Dragon, when steamed with ice mes, can be used to create a blood elixir. Consuming it will temporarily grant you an aura simr to Xiao Wuheng¡¯s extreme yin and cold. The Eight Directions Ghost Summoning Token, although a fragment, still possesses supreme aura, allowing you to mimic Xiao Wuheng¡¯s presence. As for his spiritual pressure, I¡¯ll handle that. The rest¡ªhis demeanor, killing intent, and enchantment¡ªare up to you."

    He spoke quickly, not caring if she could keep up.

    "When do you n to try this?" Ji Yaoge asked.

    "The sooner, the better. How confident are you?" Yuan Huan¡¯s tone easily made the atmosphere in the stone chamber tense.

    Ji Yaoge was curious, "Why the rush? What happened?" Last time they discussed this, he seemed quite dismissive.

    Yuan Huan shook his head¡ªfour days ago, Tang Huai had sent news that the Wu Xiang Sword Sect had discovered the secret of Tiyu State from the Ghost Domain and was ready to act. Meanwhile, Xiao Wuheng from the Ghost Domain also showed signs of resurgence. He needed to move quickly.

    But there was no need to tell her that.

    "It¡¯s unrted to you. Just tell me, how confident are you?"

    "Seventy percent," Ji Yaoge estimated conservatively.

    "That¡¯s enough." Seventy percent was high enough for Yuan Huan, who often undertook uncertain tasks. "Let¡¯s go."

    "Wait." Ji Yaoge called out before he turned away. "The wooden girl made one for each of us. This is yours." There was no ce to put the clothes here, and holding them in her hands wasn¡¯t practical.

    Yuan Huan clearly didn¡¯t understand the significance of sewing clothes, frowning slightly. It was then he noticed Ji Yaoge was also wearing a new cloak¡ªa fiery red fur with flickering me-like patterns. She seemed to glow, her once in appearance now radiant and vibrant.

    She wasn¡¯t an unattractive girl; she could even be considered pretty, with a small face andrge eyes like a kitten, always giving off an innocent and harmless vibe. Over time, this innocence could be endearing.

    But today, that innocence carried a hint of aggression.

    "No need..." He began to refuse but saw her troubled expression. If he rejected it, the wooden girl would likely make a fuss again. So he changed his mind andpromised, "Fine, give it to me."

    Ji Yaoge approached with the garment. He had already spread his arms, and seeing her hesitation, he urged, "Isn¡¯t it for me? Hurry up."

    "..." Did he mean for her to dress him?

    Ji Yaoge thought for a moment, then unfolded the leather armor and tentatively slipped it onto his left arm. He didn¡¯t object, standing straight. The armor was sleeveless, so after fitting his arm, she crossed the front and fastened it, moving to his chest to adjust the cor and finally securing the waist belt from his back to the front. Such attentiveness was something even Gu Xingzhi hadn¡¯t experienced. They had always maintained a proper distance, never crossing boundaries. Gu Xingzhi was too much of a gentleman, and she was overly reserved. In over two hundred years at Wanzhen Mountain, their interactionscked surprises. Now, without the spiritual essence, she couldn¡¯t feel those heart-stirring emotions.

    Doing this felt like dressing a doll, with no other thoughts.

    Yuan Huan looked down at her. Her movements were natural, without any lingering tenderness. In the Five Prisons Tower, these tasks were usually handled by disciples, a habit without special meaning. Only when her hand smoothed the wrinkles on his chest did he feel something was amiss, but she had already finished and said, "Done."

    Her gaze was straightforward, dispelling any unease he felt.

    "You look very sharp," Ji Yaoge smiled and praised. The dark red dragon rhinoceros leather fit his body, outlining clean lines and strength, making him look even more like a spirited young cultivator.

    Yuan Huan was indifferent. At three thousand years old, appearances were just a phase; age didn¡¯t matter. As they left the stone chamber, the wooden girl saw him in the leather armor from afar and waved excitedly, giving a thumbs-up. Yuan Huan looked at the wooden girl, "This piece of spirit essence is very different from you. Have you considered letting her return to your main body?"

    He was curious about herplete personality with a whole soul.

    Ji Yaoge shook her head, "I haven¡¯t decided yet." She hadn¡¯t decided whether to let her return or allow her freedom. She knew she should let the spirit essence return soon to gainplete emotions, but the spirit essence resisted the main body.

    As expected, Yuan Huan didn¡¯tment, only saying, "We¡¯re here." They stood outside Ren Zhongping¡¯s stone chamber. Ren Zhongping was sleeping, curled up in a corner,cking a sense of security after 198 years of confinement. Ji Yaoge pulled her hood low, casting shadows over her face. Yuan Huan handed her the prepared items, whispering, "The demon dragon¡¯s blood is extremely cold. Consuming it will freeze your meridians and organs, causing pain. Endure it, and if it¡¯s unbearable, use your qi to resist."

    The head under the hood nodded. Ji Yaoge took the dragon blood, drinking it in one gulp despite its foul taste. Instantly, her body felt like it was in an ice cave, freezing from the inside out. Even her breath carried a frosty chill. Holding the Eight Directions Ghost Summoning Token, she slowly entered Ren Zhongping¡¯s stone chamber.

    A chilling, eerie aura enveloped the room. The sleeping Ren Zhongping opened his eyes in confusion¡ªpeople are most vulnerable upon waking, making it easier for mind techniques to take advantage. Though no one was visible, Ren Zhongping felt the terrifying presence, instinctively hugging himself and sitting up, his crazed expression tinged with fear and reverence. He cautiously asked, "Who¡¯s there?"

    No one answered, only an overwhelming spiritual pressure belonging to a true Nascent Soul stage cultivator. Ren Zhongping rolled off the bed, trembling on his knees, but still didn¡¯t speak. Only when a figure in a fiery red cloak emerged from the shadows did a voice, cold and frosty, speak, "Ren Zhongping, do you still recognize me?"

    Ren Zhongping shivered, looking up with confusion that quickly turned to fear under the oppressive aura. "The... the Lord has arrived."

    His long-buried memories surfaced, bringing rare rity.

    "What about the task I gave you? How is it progressing?" Ji Yaoge simultaneously probed his memories and mimicked his behavior.

    Doing both at once, she needed to evoke his memories to create the most urate disguise. This required intense focus, with no room for distraction. Her body was numb from the cold, but she couldn¡¯t afford to care.

    Ren Zhongping hesitated, "I haven¡¯t found what the Lord seeks."

    "After all this time, you¡¯ve found nothing?" Ji Yaoge¡¯s voice was low, indistinguishable between male and female. "I think you¡¯ve grown toofortable here, forgetting the task I gave you!"

    "No, I haven¡¯t!" Ren Zhongping shrank back, hastily exining.

    "Then tell me, what am I looking for?"

    "The Lord seeks... seeks..." Ren Zhongping¡¯s eyes filled with suspicion, his gaze shifting over the figure before him. His mouth opened and closed several times, but no words came out.

    A massive spiritual pressure mixed with killing intent and anger overwhelmed him.

    She said nothing, her aura filled with the violence of ying demon beasts and the ruthlessness of her life-and-death battle with Bai Li Qing. The killing intent came at the perfect moment, shattering Ren Zhongping¡¯s defenses.

    "The Lord seeks the artifact to open the Linghai entrance. I haven¡¯t forgotten."

    "And where is the artifact hidden?"

    "I haven¡¯t found it." This was the truth. Ren Zhongping continued, "I¡¯ve searched all over Shuangxia Valley and Chixiu Pce but found nothing."

    "Ask him why he¡¯s searching in Chixiu Pce," Yuan Huan¡¯s voice echoed in Ji Yaoge¡¯s primordial spirit, though he was nowhere to be seen.

    Ji Yaoge asked, and Ren Zhongping replied, "The artifact was originally hidden in the Ghost Domain but was stolen to Wanhua a thousand years ago. The thief was obsessed with the Linghai treasure and must be guarding this ce, hoping to find the entrance and enter Linghai to cleanse their soul and change their body. So the artifact is likely hidden in one of Tiyu State¡¯s sects. I¡¯m responsible for the Shuangxia Valley area."

    This exnation made sense. The thief, seeking entry to Linghai, would likely be hiding in Tiyu State, possibly founding a sect there. Thus, searching the sects in Tiyu State was logical. However...

    Linghai? Soul cleansing and body transformation?

    Ji Yaoge hadn¡¯t expected the Linghai legend in Tiyu State to be true.

    "Ask him if he found anything else," Yuan Huan instructed.

    Ji Yaoge¡¯s voice wavered slightly as she gritted her teeth and asked. Ren Zhongping replied, "I haven¡¯t found the artifact, but I discovered that Lady Ying Shuang¡¯s Twelve Immortal Demon Dance resembles the Ghost Domain¡¯s Chiying n¡¯s Burning Passion Technique. I reported this to the Lord, who ordered me to approach Ying Shuang. However, I..."

    He seemed to recall something, suddenly looking up at Ji Yaoge.

    Not good.

    "You¡¯re not... ugh..." Ren Zhongping¡¯s face contorted, blood trickling from his lips.

    Yuan Huan, quick to act, appeared and struck Ren Zhongping with several beams of spiritual light. Ren Zhongping¡¯s eyes closed, and he copsed. Yuan Huan turned to Ji Yaoge, "How are you?"

    He was asking Ji Yaoge, who was unsteady, her hood removed, frost covering her brows and lips, her skin pale from the cold, her eyes half-closed, unable to speak. The Qinghe Demon Dragon¡¯s blood was too cold. To avoid Ren Zhongping noticing any ws, she hadn¡¯t used her qi to resist, allowing the cold to invade her meridians. She had reached her limit.

    "Fool! You endured the demon dragon¡¯s blood?" Yuan Huan immediately saw the problem. Just as he scolded her, Ji Yaoge¡¯s body swayed, and he caught her.

    He called out to her twice, but she only managed to say, "Cold."

    That was all she could feel.

    Without hesitation, Yuan Huan lifted her and leaped out of the stone chamber. The wooden girl, cleaning outside, heard the rustle of clothes and turned to see Yuan Huan carrying Ji Yaoge out. Her mouth formed an "O" shape, and she let out a meaningful "Wow¡ª". This time, Bai Yan straightened his back, his brows furrowing, his previously carefree gaze now showing signs of serious contemtion.

 Vol. 1 - Chapter 39 - Jealousy

    Chapter 39: Jealousy

    The snow on the mountain peak had not yet melted, and the cold still lingered. Only the ground near the cave entrance had been swept clean by the wooden girl, revealing the yellow-brown soil. The sun rarely showed itself, casting a bright white light over the surroundings. Thendscape became dull and monotonous, with varying shades of gray and white smudging the horizon.

    Ji Yaoge shivered uncontrobly. The cold filled her meridians, spreading from the inside out, freezing her bones and blood. No amount of true qi could fill this bottomless chasm of cold. Instinctively, she sought a heat source, curling up to absorb a bit of warmth.

    Yuan Huan pulled her stiff, icy hands from his neck¡ªher instincts had almost made her slip her hands inside his clothes to touch his chest. He ced her on the highest stone ledge, then sat behind her, supporting her as he said, "Sit still." He pressed a palm against her back. An orange-red light, like a me, burned on her back. With his other hand, he controlled fine needles with his primordial spirit, inserting them into her body, guiding the me through her meridians to expel the rampant cold.

    The alternating sensations of cold and heat made Ji Yaoge tremble even more. The burning heat from his palm spread through her body, making her feel like she was on fire. Her pale skin began to steam, producing countless droplets of water that floated into the air and turned into a thinyer of frost, lowering the surrounding temperature even further. Yet, she felt increasingly warm.

    Finally, the heatpletely reced the cold, and the scorching temperature gradually subsided into afortable warmth.

    Ji Yaoge let out a sigh of relief¡ª the cold was driven away, and her body felt as if it was being embraced by sunlight,zy and warm. A clear, youthful voice reached her ears, "Do you always act so recklessly?" She opened her eyes and saw that the stone ledge around them was covered in frost, all formed from the cold expelled from her body. She was amazed at the extreme yin and cold nature of the Qinghe Demon Dragon¡¯s blood.

    "It depends on the situation," she replied, her voice husky and seductive. Although he had withdrawn his hand, the warmth from his body still isted their small space from the surrounding frost, making her feel veryfortable.

    "With Immortal Yuan here, I naturally have no reservations," she continued.

    At this moment, Yuan Huan had be Immortal Yuan again.

    Yuan Huan detected the ttery in her words. He could imagine her expression now¡ªsharp eyes and a ttering smile, all part of her cunning nature.

    "Are you so sure I would help you? What if I decided to betray you, let you die, or even... kill you to silence you?" After all, she now knew the secret of Linghai. Yuan Huan leaned forward, threatening her by her ear.

    Ji Yaoge suddenly turned around, her hair brushing against his lips. He immediately straightened up, meeting her smiling face.

    Her face, warmed by the heat, seemed to be covered in ayer of rich rouge. Herrge eyes were watery, and when she smiled, it looked as if the water would spill out. Her lips curved with a lively cunning, embodying the essence of "enchantment" in the mortal world. Even Yuan Huan, who had seen countless beauties in the cultivation world, had to admit that this charm was more bewitching than any physical appearance.

    "You wouldn¡¯t. You¡¯re not that kind of person," Ji Yaoge said, sitting across from him.

    "What kind of person am I?" Yuan Huan was curious about what she would say.

    "You''re not a great hero who helps the weak and saves the world, but neither are you a viin who kills indiscriminately and breaks promises," Ji Yaoge smiled brightly, looking very pleased. "You¡¯re a man of your word."

    She ced a high hat on him, making Yuan Huan squint and smile, a bit wickedly, as he exposed her, "I must say, your ttery is quite pleasing. As you said, our cooperation is over. I kept my promise and gave you the secret you wanted. You can leave now."

    When she stayed, she only asked for this secret. Now that she had it, there was no reason for her to stay.

    Yuan Huan smiled, his single eye curved like a crescent moon, and stood up to leave.

    "No!" Ji Yaoge grabbed his sleeve, stopping him.

    Yuan Huan stared at the hand wrinkling his sleeve¡ªwhat was this? A child throwing a tantrum because they couldn¡¯t get candy?

    Ji Yaoge held his gaze, refusing to let go. She raised her chin slightly and said sincerely, "I think we can continue to cooperate. Although my cultivation level is low, I¡¯m not useless. Take me to Linghai, and I can help you." Just like this time with Ren Zhongping, she could do things he couldn¡¯t¡ªher recklessness was to emphasize this fact. This was her bargaining chip, so she had to seed.

    From the beginning, she knew that he shared this secret with her because he saw that she didn¡¯t have the strength to interfere. With his and Xiao Wuheng¡¯s cultivation levels, the cultivators vying for Linghai would be at least at the Nascent Soul stage, capable of turning her to dust with a flick of their fingers. She had no conditions topete and would only be courting death. She didn¡¯t want to risk her life for someone else¡¯s benefit, but she was excited¡ªhow could she remain indifferent to something that even Nascent Soul stage cultivators coveted? Opportunities like this were rare, and whether it was greed or overestimation, she wanted to seize it.

    What could she do? She could only seek his cooperation.

    Ren Zhongping was just a stepping stone, a way to knock on this door step by step.

    "I¡¯ve stayed in Chixiu Pce for 198 years. I have a better chance of uncovering this secret. Let¡¯s cooperate. I¡¯ll help you find what you¡¯re looking for, and you take me to Linghai." She offered new temptations, full of sincerity.

    Yuan Huan noticed that she said "cooperate" instead of any subservient terms¡ªdespite her low cultivation level, she still ced them on the same level.

    What should he say about her? Overconfident? Disrespectful? But those sincere, cunning eyes were filled with ambition, giving weight to her words.

    He shook off her hand, smoothed the wrinkles on his sleeve, and turned away.

    "Hey!" Ji Yaoge stood up quickly, trying to continue persuading him¡ª

    "Clean up here with Xiao Bai and take me to Chixiu Pce." His voice was devoid of humor, clear and cold. His clothes fluttered as he moved like a light rainbow, gracefully leaving.

    Ji Yaoge was delighted: Did this mean he agreed?

    "Once we enter Linghai, you¡¯re responsible for your own life and death." His distant words answered herst doubt.

    ¡ª¡ª

    As night fell, a bonfire was lit on Shigong Ridge. The cold night was quiet, a perfect time to snuggle up by the fire and sleepfortably. But in the firelight, figures moved back and forth, busy and tireless. Yuan Huan¡¯s words had set the wooden girl into action. She hummed a tune, her steps light as she packed things up, like a child who never tired, full of passion for everything and eager for the unknown world.

    This was Ji Yaoge¡¯s spiritual essence.

    Representing emotions of love and desire.

    Contrary to the personality she disyed, it was the truest part of her. She thought she understood why the spiritual essence wanted to leave her.

    "What are you thinking about?" Ji Yaoge asked Bai Yan as she watched the wooden girl and sat by the bonfire.

    Bai Yan was unusually silent tonight, staring at the flickering mes. Only when she spoke did hezily look up, "Nothing." He sat with his arms around his knees, his face bing inscrutable in the flickering orange light. His whole demeanor suggested he had something on his mind, but Ji Yaoge just said "Oh" and didn¡¯t press further.

    This was their understanding. She never asked about his past, and he never asked about hers. They both had their secrets, but neither crossed the line that would make them too close. They had apanied each other for 198 years, like two travelers on a journey, supporting each other for mutual benefit. They both knew that this long road would eventually fork, and they would part ways for their different goals¡ªso this kind of safety was important. Too much would create ties, too little would lose trust.

    He had always been clear about this, counting down the days to their separation. But today, he suddenly wished she would ask, wished that line could blur a little. But she didn¡¯t get the message, or perhaps she didn¡¯t understand. This person was smart, but sometimes seemed heartless.

    "I was thinking that Senior Sister is heartless." His words, though reproachful, were charming, his eyes filled with an ambiguous light that made Ji Yaoge feign anger and confusion. "I said it¡¯s nothing, so it¡¯s nothing. Can¡¯t Senior Sister ask more? After all, I¡¯ve apanied you for nearly two hundred years, and now I¡¯m not as good as Yuan Huan, whom you¡¯ve only known for a few days?"

    The taste of jealousy spread from his eyes and brows, not annoying, but his unique sense of grievance and helplessness. It wasn¡¯t real jealousy, but genuine helplessness¡ªwithout a position, even jealousy was just a joke.

    Ji Yaogeughed, her eyes in the firelight showing some indulgence, "So what¡¯s really bothering you?"

    Bai Yan rolled his eyes at her, his face showing a "now that you ask, I won¡¯t tell" expression, and said sullenly, "What are your ns after we leave the mountain?"

    "The market in Deer Valley is open for a few days. This batch of goods is good, so we¡¯ll sell them first and then return to Chixiu Pce." Ji Yaoge considered for a moment and pointed to the materials taken from the demon beasts, "You take half of the money, buy some good medicine, and find a secluded cave, preferably not in Tiyu State. If the spirit stones aren¡¯t enough, let me know. Your cultivation level is about to reach the peak of Foundation Establishment, and you need to go into seclusion to break through to the Core Formation stage. This is not something to be taken lightly." Tiyu State would soon be unstable, and if he went into seclusion here, he might be caught in the chaos.

    Bai Yan¡¯s expression softened, his yful demeanor turning into a smile that was not quite a smile, "Is Senior Sister trying to send me away?"

    Ji Yaoge frowned. Ren Zhongping¡¯s secret had been known to him for 198 years, so she hadn¡¯t hidden her n to go to Linghai with Yuan Huan. But she hadn¡¯t nned to take him along. It wasn¡¯t because she was selfish or because of Yuan Huan, but because Bai Yan¡¯s current situation required him to stay outside and safely break through to the Core Formation stage. He wasn¡¯t suited for the life-and-death struggle in Linghai.

    "Bai Yan." Her tone became serious, showing she wasn¡¯t speaking lightly and wouldn¡¯t allow him to argue.

    In the past, if she showed such seriousness, he would have softened and coaxed her. But today was different. He turned his head, staring at the bonfire, falling into a silent sulk. Ji Yaoge never liked to exin herself and didn¡¯t expect him to understand her intentions. She patted her cloak, nning to help the wooden girl, but his hand suddenly grabbed her wrist, pulling her in front of him.

    He leaned down, his face in the firelight losing its yful look, his gaze like a beam of light piercing through the clouds, revealing an imposing aura that had been hidden for years, a natural-born authority.

    "Senior Sister, I don¡¯t want to leave." His words seemed to say, keep me, and I¡¯ll willingly let go of the past to apany you for a thousand years.

    As long as she asked him to stay.

    His voice was low, as if he were drunk. Ji Yaoge couldn¡¯t understand his feelings when he said this. The soul without the spiritual essence finally showed its heartless side. She felt no excitement, no sadness, no guilt. She just thought that perhaps the separation woulde sooner.

    "I¡¯m sorry." But she still, hypocritically, apologized.

    For the sake of their 198 years together.

    ¡ª¡ª

    The next day, the clouds parted, and the sun rose. Shigong Ridge was bathed in sunlight, the cold seemed to crack open, and the ice and snow of the season began to melt.

    The wooden girl had already packed everything, running over with a storage bracelet she had taken from Yuan Huan. She packed everything into it and then sneakily handed it to Ji Yaoge.

    "Take it." She blinked.

    "What is this¡­" Ji Yaoge was puzzled.

    "You said your storage ring wasn¡¯t big enough, right? This is from Brother Yuan. It¡¯s much better than your ring. I¡¯ve packed everything into it, so keep it safe." The wooden girl ttered her other self, ying the role of a fence-sitter to perfection.

    "Does he know?" Ji Yaoge examined the bracelet, finding its space several timesrger than her ring.

    The wooden girl grabbed the bracelet, slipped it onto her wrist, and said nonchntly, "He has so many good things, he doesn¡¯t care about this bracelet. It was just lying in a corner, almost moldy. If I hadn¡¯t found it while cleaning yesterday, he might not have even thought to bring it today."

    Ji Yaoge raised an eyebrow¡ªso she took it without asking?

    The wooden girl understood her and said, "Hey, the sheep is so fat, what¡¯s wrong with taking a bit of wool? What are you afraid of?"

    The sheep, unhurriedly, came out from behind, "Is that so?" He smiled at the wooden girl, who was clearly eating from both sides. The wooden girl, however, was confident. Wasn¡¯t it obvious who was on her side? Was it wrong to support her own people? She chuckled, "Brother Yuan," and quickly ran away, leaving Ji Yaoge to awkwardly face Yuan Huan, sharing the me.

    Yuan Huan¡¯s gaze swept over the bracelet. The green jade, iid with cat-eye-like amber, made her wrist look as white as snow, quite beautiful. Ji Yaoge was very embarrassed, trying to remove the bracelet, but it was strange and wouldn¡¯te off. She could only give Yuan Huan an awkward look. Yuan Huan said, "Take your time. When you get it off, return it to me." With that, he left, his steps light.

    Ji Yaoge shook her hand¡ªhe was definitely doing this on purpose.

    "Let¡¯s go! Brother Bai, you have to show me all the fun ces in Chixiu Pce!" The wooden girl¡¯s voice came from afar.

    Ji Yaoge looked over and saw Bai Yan being pulled away by the wooden girl. When he looked back, their eyes met, and his face, as handsome as a painting, showed a charming smile, just like usual.

    She knew they had both swallowedst night¡¯s events.

    ¡ª¡ª

    The market in Deer Valley was as lively as ever. It was only the third day of the market, the busiest time. The wind blew, and icicles still hung from the tree branches. The cold in the mountains was bone-chilling, but it didn¡¯t dampen the enthusiasm of the cultivators who came here. The air was filled with the sounds of haggling and bargaining, dry branches creaked underfoot, and low-level cultivators in thick robes roamed the market,paring prices and examining goods, never in a hurry to make a purchase.

    But today, among the scattered cultivators, there was a group of cultivators dressed very differently.

    "Senior Sister, look." A young girl in green, holding the arm of the girl beside her, smiled, showing two sweet dimples, her eyes full of curiosity as she looked at the small items on the stalls.

    "Do you like it, Xiao Jin?" Zhao Jing asked indulgently, looking at her much younger junior sister from the Wu Xiang Sword Sect, Ling Jin, with a smile.

    "I like it, I like this, and I like that too!" Ling Jin nodded enthusiastically, but then her head drooped, "But it¡¯s all so expensive, and I don¡¯t have any money."

    Although the market was crude, it had great appeal to sect disciples who rarely went out, especially to a young cultivator like Ling Jin. Unfortunately, even though they were disciples of a major sect and received monthly allowances, they didn¡¯t have much pocket money and couldn¡¯t buy many things.

    "Well¡­ pick one thing, and I¡¯ll buy it for you. But don¡¯t choose anything too expensive," Zhao Jing said with a smile. She didn¡¯t have many spirit stones either and couldn¡¯t afford anything too costly.

    "Thank you, Senior Sister Jing." Ling Jin jumped up happily and rushed to the stall to pick something.

    Standing a few steps away, Zhou Ling rolled her eyes and muttered, "Poor thing." Lin Canzhi, standing beside her, gently pulled her hand and whispered, "Junior Sister, don¡¯t frown so much. Enjoy the market."

    "Enjoy? How can I enjoy it when I¡¯m being watched all the time?" Zhou Ling¡¯s anger red up again.

    Ten days ago, she had exaggerated the events at Shigong Ridge, hoping that Gu Xingzhi and the others would stand up for her. Instead, she was scolded by Gu Xingzhi for acting recklessly, causing trouble, and being arrogant. She was punished to stay at the trial camp for self-reflection, not allowed to go out even after her injuries had healed, and Zhao Jing and Ling Jin were assigned to watch her. Wherever she went, they followed, driving her mad.

    "Isn¡¯t Senior Brother Gu concerned about your injuries? That¡¯s why he asked Senior Sister Zhao and Junior Sister Ling to apany you."

    "Nonsense. He¡¯s just spying on me." Zhou Ling spat, ring at Zhao Jing. "Hmph, as if I don¡¯t know. Yesterday, Gu Xingzhi went to Chixiu Pce, definitely for the treasures at Shigong Ridge. He¡¯s the person in charge of the trial, so he can go wherever he wants. It¡¯s easy for him to take credit for our work. And Zhao Jing, always sticking to Gu Xingzhi, listening to everything he says, pretending to be a confidant¡­ who does she think she¡¯s fooling?"

    She was cursing when, suddenly, Ling Jin eximed exaggeratedly, "1,500 spirit stones? That''s so expensive!"

    "Expensive? Not at all, youngdy. Although it''s just a charming item, it''s made of high-quality materials," the stall owner pointed to the bronze mirror Ling Jin was holding. "Look, this mirror is made from thousand-year-old copper, with a beast crystal from a dream tapir inside, and iid with four medium-grade illusion stones. Just these materials alone, if you ask around the market, you''ll find out how much they cost individually. Moreover, the craftsmanship of this mirror is exquisite, perfect for youngdies like you."

    "It''s nice, but it''s not really practical," Ling Jin pouted, replying softly.

    The mirror wasn''t a powerful magical artifact, just a delightful item that could change the user''s appearance, clothing, and hairstyle ording to their wishes. It allowed the user to choose the best look for themselves¡ªhence, it was a favorite among girls.

    But it wasn''t really useful.

    1,500 spirit stones was no small amount. Zhao Jing tugged on Ling Jin''s sleeve, hinting for her to put it down. Ling Jin reluctantly fiddled with the mirror for a while before finally deciding to put it down.

    Suddenly, a sharp green light silently shot towards Ling Jin''s hand. Ling Jin cried out in pain, dropping the mirror. Zhao Jing''s face darkened, instinctively looking towards the source of the green light, only to see Zhou Ling''s provocative smile.

    "The mirror..." Ling Jin flew to catch the mirror, but it was struck again in mid-air, flying even further away.

    "Oh, my mirror¡ª" the stall owner wailed in distress from behind.

    "Zhou Ling!" Zhao Jing, furious, lunged at Zhou Ling.

    Zhou Ling stepped back a few paces, avoiding a confrontation. Meanwhile, the mirror flew far away. Ling Jin gritted her teeth, leaping to catch it, hugging the mirror to her chest. The force from the mirror sent her flying, about to fall face-first...

    Someone reached out and caught her.

    "Are you alright?" Ji Yaoge hadn''t expected to run into trouble as soon as she arrived at the market. The person flew towards her, and she couldn''t avoid them, so she caught them.

    Ling Jin, still in shock, looked up from Ji Yaoge''s arms and saw a pair of clear, piercing eyes, instantly losing herself.

 Vol. 1 - Chapter 40 - Saving the Beauty

    Chapter 40: Saving the Beauty

    Xiao Jin?

    Ji Yaoge recognized her at first nce. She was Ling Jin, the beloved disciple of the chubby Uncle Sun Wanqian from the Wu Xiang Sword Sect. Like her master, Ling Jin loved eating and ying but disliked cultivating. When she first joined the Wu Xiang Sword Sect, she was only ten years old, and Ji Yaoge had even held her¡ªa chubby, soft little girl, like melted sugar. Ji Yaoge''s memory of her stayed at the day she left Wanren Mountain 198 years ago. Ling Jin was standing at the corner of the corridor, crying while licking a candied hawthorn,ining about being mocked by her peers for her poor cultivation. Once she finished the candied hawthorn, she smiled.

    198 years had passed, and Wanren Mountain felt like a distant memory from a past life. Yet, encountering her again brought back those memories, never forgotten.

    Ling Jin had quietly covered her face with the mirror, only her almond-shaped eyes peeking out shyly at the woman in the fiery red cloak. The hood was half-worn, casting her face half in shadow and half in sunlight. The light sharpened her features, and the hair falling on her foreheadzily fluttered, giving her an indescribable sense of freedom. Her gender and appearance blurred, beauty and ugliness no longer mattered, only this stunning sight.

    Ji Yaoge frowned at the person lying motionless in her arms, "Are you hurt?"

    The arm around her waist moved, and Ling Jin snapped back to reality, eximing, "Ah!" She quickly lowered her head, speaking in a voice as small as an ant, "No, I''m not hurt."

    Ji Yaoge withdrew her hand and looked around¡ªgood, the disciples from the three sects were indeed all here.

    What a small world, Zhou Ling was here too. The market was filled with many disciples from the three sects, including familiar faces like Zhao Jing from the Lingxiu Sect. However, Zhao Jing was currently busy dealing with Zhou Ling, with Lin Canzhi trying to mediate between them. Their attention was naturally not on Ji Yaoge.

    Only the stall owner rushed over, shouting, "My precious mirror, my precious mirror!"

    Ling Jin finally remembered to check the mirror, and her lips pouted when she saw it: the mirror surface was cracked, covered in spider web-like fractures.

    The stall owner, furious, grabbed her hand, "Pay for the mirror, give me the money!"

    Ling Jin, on the verge of tears, exined, "It wasn''t me, it wasn''t." She didn''t have 1,500 spirit stones.

    The stall owner didn''t care, holding onto her hand stubbornly, "The mirror was in your hand. Even if it wasn''t you, it has something to do with you. I don''t care, you broke it, you pay for it. Don''t think you can get away with it just because you''re from the Wu Xiang Sword Sect! 1,500 spirit stones, pay up!"

    Ji Yaoge nced at the mirror. The precious mirror was made of high-quality jade, not easily broken. The cracks were clearly caused by someone secretly striking it. Listening to Zhao Jing and Zhou Ling''s argument nearby, one scolding, "If you hadn''t schemed, the mirror wouldn''t have fallen for no reason," and the other retorting, "You say I did it? Did you see it? Show me the evidence," she could guess the cause of the incident.

    "Look, the stall owner is already after her. If you care about that girl, why don''t you go help her and buy the mirror?"

    The stall owner''s voice attracted a crowd, naturally reaching their ears. Zhou Ling, hiding behind Lin Canzhi with her arms crossed, smiled smugly at Zhao Jing.

    Zhao Jing had no choice but to temporarily let go of Zhou Ling and run to Ling Jin''s side. Seeing the mirror, she was furious again. Looking at Ling Jin''s expression, she wanted to help but 1,500 spirit stones were all her savings. Their rtionship wasn''t close enough for her to spend so much to help. But if she didn''t help, Ling Jin''s pleading eyes made it impossible for her to walk away. What would people think of her if she did?

    Caught in a dilemma, Zhao Jing''s face turned red and green, her previously ethereal demeanor falling into the mundane.

    "1,500 spirit stones? Boss Hao, you''re overcharging again, bullying neers. Look, you''ve blocked the way."

    In the midst of the stalemate, Ji Yaoge spoke, her tone teasing.

    The stall owner, seeing Ji Yaoge and the people behind her, immediately changed his expression, bowing and greeting, "Daoist Ji, Brother Bai Yan, my apologies." Then he grabbed Ling Jin''s hand again, smiling awkwardly, "Please understand, I run a small business and can''t afford to lose. They broke the precious mirror. If they run away, where will I find them? Look at the materials used in this mirror, all top quality..."

    Ji Yaoge interrupted him, "Boss Hao, no need to say more in front of us. Give us a fair price."

    Bai Yan stepped forward from behind her, smiling, "Old Hao, offending people from a major sect won''t do you any good. You think you can sell this broken thing for 1,800 spirit stones? Do you think everyone is that easy to fool?"

    Boss Hao gritted his teeth, stomping his foot, "1,000 spirit stones, no less! That''s the price I paid, any less and I''ll lose money."

    "1,000..." Ling Jin bit her lip, still short on money.

    Zhao Jing touched her storage bag, still reluctant to part with the spirit stones. Ji Yaoge had already taken out a small bag of spirit stones and tossed it over, "800." Her smile remained, with a hint of warning to "take it or leave it."

    Boss Hao weighed the bag, immediately changing his tone, "For Daoist Ji and Brother Bai Yan''s sake, I''ll take a loss. Consider it a favor. Would you like to look at my other wares?"

    Over the past century, Ji Yaoge and Bai Yan had frequented this market. Initially, Ji Yaoge was in charge of collecting, and Bai Yan was in charge of selling. They gradually built a reputation here, especially Ji Yaoge¡ªeveryone in the market knew her. The cultivators she repeatedly won high-level techniques from no longer dared to set up stalls here. They made their fortune from these techniques, doing business here. Bai Yan''s silver tongue opened doors, and with Ji Yaoge''s discerning eye, they always brought in good goods. Over time, they umted many regr customers and gained status in the market. With their wealth, they made quick purchases, earning them respect.

    "No, Brother Bai and I have other matters to attend to," Ji Yaoge politely declined with a smile.

    Boss Hao didn''t insist, exchanging a few pleasantries before returning to his stall. Zhao Jing, relieved that the problem was solved, sighed. Ji Yaoge was about to leave but was stopped by Ling Jin. Ling Jin blushed, pushing the precious mirror towards her, "This... this..."

    "Keep it," Ji Yaoge smiled slightly.

    "That''s not right." Ling Jin didn''t want to take advantage, but the mirror was already damaged. Giving it back seemed insincere. She shook her head, "I''ll repay you the spirit stones... 800, give me some time to gather it."

    Seeing her bitter expression, Ji Yaoge, for some reason, reached out and pinched her chubby chin like she used to, "No need, it''s just a small amount."

    Ling Jin''s face turned red, standing there dumbfounded. Zhao Jing had to pull her back to reality. Without the financial burden, Zhao Jing regained her ethereal demeanor, cupping her fists and saying, "Thank you for your help. I am Zhao Jing from the Lingxiu Sect. May I know your name, so I can repay you in the future..."

    "No need, it was a small matter." Ji Yaoge interrupted her, her smile fading slightly, and walked away with Bai Yan and the others. At this point, she didn''t want to get involved with the three sects. Who knew if they were connected to Bai Li Qing? If they recognized her, she would be in danger.

    Zhao Jing, feeling embarrassed by the blunt rejection, stood awkwardly, watching Ji Yaoge walk away. The stall owners on both sides came out to greet her, and all along the way, there were greetings of "Brother Bai Yan" and "Daoist Ji," making Zhao Jing wonder about their background.

    Zhou Ling, who had been silent for a while, also noticed Ji Yaoge and her group. Old grudges made her want to confront them, but Ji Yaoge''s cold, murderous gaze stopped her.

    She broke out in a cold sweat, shaking off Lin Canzhi''s hand and quietly moving to Zhao Jing''s side, whispering, "Senior Sister Zhao, I didn''t expect you to be acquainted with that demoness from Chixiu Pce. Be careful not to be bewitched by her."

    Zhao Jing was startled, looking at Ji Yaoge differently. Ling Jin, however, ran up to Ji Yaoge, following her closely, "Sister, my name is Ling Jin, Jin as in the hibiscus flower..."

    Before she could finish, Zhao Jing forcefully pulled her back. Ji Yaoge heard Zhao Jing''s low warning, "Xiao Jin, stay away from her. She''s from Chixiu Pce."

    Two hundred years, one word "enchantment," the same soul, she had done nothing, yet under the world''s gaze, she became a sinner, despised by her former peers.

    In that brief moment, Ji Yaoge felt a sudden urge to defy the world, but the impulse quickly subsided.

    "But she helped me, she''s a good person," Ling Jin argued.

    "People are deceitful, don''t be bought by small favors!" Zhou Ling''s voice came.

    Ling Jin turned sharply, angrily saying, "That''s still better than your petty tricks! At least she really helped me." Ignoring Zhou Ling''s changing face, she turned back, her voice soft and infatuated, "Besides, she''s so..."

    Another person finished her sentence, "So handsome, right?" (tln : Handsome girl is more like Ouji-type or prince type.)

    The wooden girl, walking at the back, picked up her words, her face full of pride.

    "Yes, yes!" Ling Jin nodded.

    "Good taste!" The wooden girl winked, leading Ren Zhongping forward.

    Ren Zhongping was also happy, "Fairy sister."

    On this trip to Deer Valley, Yuan Huan didn''te. This market no longer satisfied his needs. He had no interest in the hustle and bustle, waiting outside Deer Valley for Ji Yaoge to finish her business. With such arge batch of goods, Ji Yaoge didn''t n to set up a stall. It would take too much time. She wanted to find someone who could buy the whole batch at once¡ªthough the price would be lower, it would be quick.

    Qiu Ye was the person she had in mind, the biggest businessman in Deer Valley and the unofficial overseer of the ce. He took a 20% cut from the stall owners and ensured the market, held every six months, ran smoothly. Ji Yaoge had met him a few times. He was a businessman, and while they hadpetition, there were no permanent friends or enemies in business.

    "Master Qiu, how do you find the quality of this batch of goods?" Bai Yan, with a shrewd smile, asked the man lounging in the hall.

    The man, sitting on a coral seat covered with snow owl fur, twirled the ring on his thumb, nodding slightly as he looked at the samples Ji Yaogeid out. He was rugged, with a muscr body wrapped in a red-brown outfit, his hair cut short, revealing a face with sharp features. His eyebrows and eyes seemed to hold power, and his lips curved into a subtle smile.

    "Not bad, how much do you have?" After examining all the samples, Qiu Ye finally spoke, his voice deep and restrained.

    Ji Yaoge reported a number, and Qiu Ye''s eyes lit up. Without wasting words, he asked, "With such arge quantity, what''s your asking price?"

    Discussing prices was Bai Yan''s specialty. He pointed to the samples, quoting prices one by one. Qiu Ye didn''t raise an eyebrow, only saying, "Too expensive." He was trying to lower the price. With such arge batch, no one else in Deer Valley could afford it. He knew they had no other options, giving him confidence. Bai Yan''s prices were fair, but he was prepared for negotiation. As they haggled, Ji Yaoge looked around.

    This cave mansion was Qiu Ye''s treasure, called the Illusory Clear Void Mustard Seed. It could create a courtyard out of thin air and be packed away when leaving, a perfect treasure for traveling cultivators. Ji Yaoge admired the exquisite architecture, the small bridges and flowing water in the courtyard, though small, it was veryfortable. Just as she was feeling envious, a voice reached her ears.

    "Miss Ji, do you like it here?"

    It was Qiu Ye, who had finished negotiating with Bai Yan. Seeing her distracted, he asked.

    "Master Qiu, this ce is exquisite. Naturally, I like it. This treasure is rare. I''m very envious. May I ask where you got it?" Ji Yaoge spoke honestly.

    Her straightforwardness pleased Qiu Ye. The Illusory Clear Void Mustard Seed was rare but not a secret. He replied, "I obtained this after much effort outside Cigu City in Mount Taichu. The price was secondary. The key was the peculiar temperament of the craftsman. He only makes one of each treasure, so this Illusory Clear Void Mustard Seed is unique. There won''t be another."

    His words carried a hint of pride. Ji Yaoge was curious, "Who crafted it?"

    "Immortal Yuan Huan from the Taichu Sect."

    "..." Ji Yaoge fell silent¡ª the wooden girl wasn''t exaggerating when she said Yuan Huan had many treasures. Should she try to get closer to him?

    The conversation couldn''t continue, so Ji Yaoge smiled and changed the subject, "Master Qiu, I''ve noticed many new faces in Tiyu State recently. Do you know what''s happening?" She came to Qiu Ye not only to sell goods but also to gather information. No ce had more mixed news than Deer Valley, and Qiu Ye was the most informed person here.

    Qiu Ye smiled, "The three sects of Wanren have set their trial grounds in the mountains of Tiyu State. About a dozen people have been here for over half a month. I don''t know what treasures they think are hidden in this remote ce." His words carried a hint of mockery. Leaning closer, he asked in a low voice, "Miss Ji, I''ve heard you and the person on Shigong Ridge have offended them?"

    "Master Qiu, your information is very urate." Ji Yaoge admitted, "A few days ago, Lady Ying Shuang sent me to deliver medicine to the person on Shigong Ridge. Unexpectedly, disciples from the three sects came to investigate. You know how those sect disciples are, inexperienced but arrogant. They offended the person on Shigong Ridge and got a lesson. Since they didn''t reveal their names, the me fell on me."

    She put on a bitter smile, continuing the act, "Are they looking for me?"

    "Of course. Miss Ji, who is the person on Shigong Ridge that you took the me for?" Qiu Ye probed.

    "Someone even the Mountain Lord respects. How could I know his identity?" Ji Yaoge bit her lip, worriedly asking, "Master Qiu, what are they asking about me?"

    Qiu Ye stared at her for a long time, trying to discern the truth from her face. But Ji Yaoge only showed a troubled expression, revealing nothing. After a while, he leaned back, his expression returning to its initial calm, "They''re not just looking for you. They seem to be searching for something else. They''ve already visited the Mountain Lord''s Guiyun Ruins and several high cultivators in Tiyu State. A few days ago, they left my ce... They seem very interested in Shigong Ridge."

    After speaking, he looked at Ji Yaoge with a meaningful smile.

    He was deliberately giving her a favor. Ji Yaoge understood, thanked him, and asked, "Master Qiu, do you know which of the three sects is leading the trial?"

    "I do." Qiu Ye nodded, "Gu Xingzhi from the Wu Xiang Sword Sect."

    "..." Ji Yaoge was stunned, instinctively looking down the hall.

    The wooden girl, who had been ying with Ren Zhongping at the end of the hall, suddenly turned her face, her gaze meeting Ji Yaoge''s directly.

    Gu Xingzhi... is here?

 Vol. 1 - Chapter 41 - Senior Brother

    Chapter 41: Senior Brother

    The name Gu Xingzhi didn''t stir much emotion in Ji Yaoge''s heart. Perhaps she had already guessed that he would be the leader of the trial, or maybe she knew they would meet eventually. Apart from the initial surprise of hearing his name, she didn''t dwell on it.

    At Qiu Ye''s enthusiastic invitation, Ji Yaoge and Bai Yan stayed in the Illusory Clear Void Mustard Seed for two more days. After exchanging all their goods for spirit stones, the items they had asked Qiu Ye to procure also arrived.

    "Miss Ji, Brother Bai, all the pills you requested are here. Open them and take a look," Qiu Ye, having made a big deal, naturally treated them as honored guests, personally attending to them.

    Ji Yaoge nced at the two trays of porcin bottles held by the attendant and smiled, "We trust your work, Master Qiu. No need to check." She epted the bottles, most of which were for Bai Yan, with a few for herself.

    "Refreshing!" Qiu Ye pped his hands, and the attendant brought out a few more items. "Miss Ji, here is the rouge blood, the heavenly fire seed for refining, the green talisman..." He listed several items.

    Rouge blood is a variant of iron ore containing thunder spirit, hence its red color. The purer the red, the higher the quality, hence the name rouge blood. The piece Qiu Ye found for her, though small, was of high purity, making it top-grade rouge blood. Given her current circumstances, she was satisfied with it. The heavenly fire seed was for forging; she nned to reforge her Broken Dawn Sword before entering Linghai. The green talisman was an upgraded version of the yellow talisman, capable of carrying more powerful spells. For a life-and-death adventure, she needed to be as prepared as possible.

    There were also a few magical items: a ck ice shield, tortoise jade armor, and a set of stone crack formation gs, all primarily for defense. For Bai Yan, there was a vine snake ruler and a spirit-absorbing gourd.

    These items nearly exhausted the spirit stones they had earned on this trip.

    ¡ª¡ª

    Cultivation is a money-draining endeavor. Heavenly materials, magical weapons, spiritual herbs, and elixirs¡ªall require money.

    There''s a saying, "Cultivation impoverishes three generations." Previously, she hadn''t felt it, but today, after leaving Qiu Ye''s ce with their wealth significantly reduced, Bai Yan deeply felt it. And this was just the beginning; they were still Foundation Establishment cultivators, and their expenses would only increase.

    Hearing Bai Yan''sment, Ji Yaoge just smiled. She turned her head and saw the wooden girl listlessly following behind, holding Ren Zhongping''s hand, walking absentmindedly. For the past two days, she had been unusually silent. Normally talkative, her sudden quietness was unsettling. Ji Yaoge knew the reason and slowly walked to her side, asking, "Do you want to see Senior Brother Gu?"

    The wooden girl looked up, her lips pressed into a line, her youthful face showing a maturity beyond her years.

    "Don''t you want to see him?" She countered Ji Yaoge.

    They were originally one, now split into two. This conversation felt like a self-interrogation, a question and answer with oneself.

    "What difference would it make?" Ji Yaoge found this phenomenon strange. Facing her own feelings from an outsider''s perspective, she seemed more capable of pinpointing the problem. "Bai Yun is fake. If he could see through it, he would havee looking for me long ago. If he can''t see through it, then for the past 198 years, it''s been Bai Li Qing apanying him. Two hundred years versus two hundred years, about the same time. Do you think he might have unknowingly fallen in love with the fake Bai Yun?"

    The reason evesting love is rare is because it only applies to mortals with limited lifespans. Cultivators face endless time, and no one knows where this aimless journey will end. Subtle changes over time can be terrifying. Time may not bring steadfast devotion but change... gradual, water-dripping-on-stone change.

    Just like how her 200 years in Tiyu State diluted her feelings for Wanren Mountain. Time can erase many things and bring many things. Her feelings for Chixiu Pce were no less than those for the Wu Xiang Sword Sect¡­

    Just like how Bai Yan had apanied her for 200 years. If her spiritual essence hadn''t been lost and her soul wasplete, she couldn''t guarantee she wouldn''t fall in love with Bai Yan, even if the feelings might not be pure...

    "You''re too pessimistic," the wooden girl didn''t refute.

    "This is called being clear-headed," Ji Yaoge said. Simrly, even if she knew Gu Xingzhi had fallen in love with Bai Li Qing, she wouldn''t resent him. There was too much unavoidable force between them. They were both innocent but powerless.

    "Bai Yun, don''t deceive yourself in front of me. I am you, and you are me. You can''t hide anything from me," the wooden girl called out their original name. "You know why I left you. You say this is being clear-headed, but I think it''s being heartless. Leaving Wanren Mountain, leaving the Wu Xiang Sword Sect, was something you nned long ago. Bai Li Qing just happened to appear at that time. When you nned to leave, you had already decided to abandon this rtionship, hadn''t you? After Bai Li Qing took over, you had many ways to tell Senior Brother Gu, but you didn''t... It was your selfishness, not even giving him a choice."

    "Give him a chance? Do you think Senior Brother Gu would betray the sect and run away with me? He guarded me on Miao Zong Peak for fifty years! Have you forgotten those fifty years of imprisonment?" Ji Yaoge smiled coldly.

    What does love matter? A rtionship based on mutual exploitation, even if it bes real, what then?

    "Do you know why I suppress you? Because you''re too unrealistic! You believe in your feelings, believe in his words, believe that being with him can make you forget the past and those unbearable memories, that you can truly be a member of a prestigious sect! But I don''t believe it!" Bai Yan walked further ahead, and Ji Yaoge lowered her head, speaking to the wooden girl as if sharing an intimate secret, but her voice was chillingly cold. "I don''t believe in their brainwashing, don''t believe in the things they instill day after day. Those constraints and constant surveince forced me to be the person they wanted, but I never forgot for a day that I have half beast blood in my veins!"

    The wooden girl fell silent. As aplete soul, she had always struggled, struggling with sect ethics, between right and wrong, love and hate, trust and doubt. Those sharp contradictions never disappeared. She could only suppress them until, in the end, the soul representing love and desire separated from the body. They were both iplete, each finding a way to survive.

    "Why are you walking so slowly?" Bai Yan, seeing no one beside him, turned back and found Ji Yaoge and the wooden girl far behind.

    "Coming," Ji Yaoge straightened up, her expression unchanged by the conversation.

    "Give me one more chance," the wooden girl reached out and grabbed Ji Yaoge.

    Ji Yaoge turned and saw the wooden girl looking down, her gaze on the ground.

    "Onest time. Tell Senior Brother the truth, and I''ll willingly return."

    "What if he doesn''t believe you?"

    "Whether he believes it or not, no matter his choice, I''ll return, as long as you tell him!"

    This chance was for herself, a final exnation for the past.

    From any perspective, Ji Yaoge should refuse, but she said¡­

    "Alright. I promise you."

    ¡ª¡ª

    Yuan Huan waited outside Deer Valley for three days without impatience. When he saw the grouping out, he only asked, "Is everything settled?"

    Ji Yaoge nodded and added, "Yes, but there''s one thing... Senior Brother Ren originally came from Chixiu Pce. Many people there know him. Taking him back like this might not be appropriate." She nced at Ren Zhongping¡ªhe was the murderer of the original body and had tried to harm her. Yet, after being imprisoned for 200 years, he had be a burden they couldn''t discard. Perhaps regaining his sanity and fighting again would be better than carrying him around inexplicably.

    Yuan Huan pondered for a moment, then raised a green hairpin in his palm. The hairpin''s head was crafted from thin copper into a three-tiered pce, with flying eaves and painted columns, intricately carved to resemble the real thing.

    With a flick of the hairpin, the wooden girl eximed, and Ren Zhongping disappeared. Yuan Huan handed the hairpin to Ji Yaoge, Bai Yan, and the wooden girl, who all leaned in to look.

    Ren Zhongping had been shrunk into the pce, running around in panic, his voice unable to escape, but his fear was evident.

    "Amazing," Bai Yan couldn''t help but praise.

    Yuan Huan looked at the three of them. Holding the hairpin for a while, he saw they were only interested in looking and not taking it. He tossed the hairpin into Ji Yaoge''s arms. Ji Yaoge raised the hairpin, "This is..."

    "This is a woman''s item. I don''t keep pets," Yuan Huan said righteously.

    "A woman''s item? Then why did you make it?" Ji Yaoge thought of Qiu Ye''s Illusory Clear Void Mustard Seed and instinctively felt they were simr. This hairpin was likely his creation, and she muttered.

    "What?" Yuan Huan didn''t hear clearly.

    Ji Yaoge had already removed the hairpin from her bun and reced it with the new one, smiling slightly, "I said, I dare not refuse a gift from an elder. Thank you, Brother Yuan."

    "..." Elder? Though the term was correct, why did he feel he had suddenly aged? Three thousand years should just be the beginning in an endless cultivation journey, right?

    With thest matter resolved, Ji Yaoge could finally return to Chixiu Pce with peace of mind. From Deer Valley to Chixiu Pce, it took only half a day by sword. They arrived at Shuangxia Valley before dusk. The long-unseen sunset had just begun to burn in the sky above Shuangxia Valley. The mountain gate of Chixiu Pce stood right in front of the sunset, the ancient gate surrounded by clouds, the bold "Chixiu" characters exuding a profound meaning, devoid of any frivolity.

    "We''re here." Ji Yaoge led the group down from the clouds and put away her magical items in front of the mountain gate.

    After more than a month away, Chixiu Pce hadn''t changed much, just quieter. They didn''t encounter many people on their way in. Ji Yaoge, feeling strange, exchanged a nce with Bai Yan, who shrugged, equally puzzled.

    "I''ll take you to my cave," Ji Yaoge decided to take Yuan Huan and the wooden girl to her cave since they would be staying in Chixiu Pce for a while, and amodation needed to be arranged. Fortunately, her cave had been expanded. Though not as spacious as the cave on Shigong Ridge,and it could barely fit two people.

    Bai Yan interrupted her with a smile, "Your ce isn''t big, and it would be crowded with two people. How about inviting Immortal Yuan to stay at my ce for a few days?"

    Yuan Huan didn''t mind and agreed indifferently. Ji Yaoge followed them. Bai Yan''s cave was in the same direction as hers. They walked slowly, with Bai Yan introducing theyout and scenery of Chixiu Pce to the wooden girl, fulfilling his duty as a host. Yuan Huan followed, listening thoughtfully, his gaze examining the small sect. To avoid attracting attention, he had hidden his cultivation when they arrived at Deer Valley. Now, to outsiders, he appeared as an ordinary low-level cultivator.

    After walking for a while, two people suddenly ran past them. Ji Yaoge called out to one of them, "Zong He!"

    Zong He stopped and looked over, his eyes lighting up, "Senior Sister Ji! Senior Brother Bai!"

    "You''ve finally returned!" He quickly ran over, his voice filled with surprise, his eyes ncing at Yuan Huan and the wooden girl, "Who are these two?"

    "Two friends we met in the mountains. We got along well, so we invited them to the sect for a drink," Ji Yaoge pointed to Yuan Huan, "This is... Ah Yuan." She had to use an alias now. Then she pointed to the wooden girl, "This is Xiao Bai." Finally, she introduced Zong He, "My junior brother, Zong He."

    Chixiu Pce had no strict rules, and disciples often brought friends back, so this wasn''t unusual.

    Zong He, naturally friendly, immediately put his arm around Yuan Huan''s shoulder, "Brother Ah Yuan, Sister Xiao Bai, nice to meet you! Friends of Senior Sister Ji are friends of mine. Don''t be shy in Chixiu Pce. I''ll treat you to a drink someday!"

    Ji Yaoge noticed Yuan Huan''s expressionless face and thought he probably didn''t like people getting too close. She forcefully removed Zong He''s hand, but the wooden girl sweetly called out, "Brother Zong He," making Zong He almost want to give her his heart.

    "Zong He, why is the sect so empty?" Bai Yan asked, wrapping his arm around Zong He''s neck.

    "Arghh Senior Brother... let go!" Zong He pounded his arm, coughed twice, and then remembered, pping his thigh, "Empty? Everyone''s at the back mountain, watching the excitement! You came back just in time. Follow me."

    "What happened?" Ji Yaoge asked.

    "I''ll exin on the way," Zong He pulled them towards the back mountain. "The disciples from the three sects have been ndering Chixiu Pce and you outside. Senior Sister Yue Xiao heard it and got very angry. Coincidentally, that pretty boy from the Wu Xiang Sword Sect came to our sect and injured Senior Sister Yao. Now, Senior Sister Yue Xiao has taken people to teach him a lesson! Let those three sects see what our sect is capable of!"

    "Pretty boy?" Ji Yaoge frowned, feeling uneasy.

    "Yes! Senior Sister Yao Huang was hosting him. He looked decent and proper, so she had some thoughts. But after he touched and hugged her, he turned his back on her and injured her!"

    "Who is this pretty boy?" Ji Yaoge asked as they walked.

    "I think his surname is Gu... Gu Xingzhi, the senior disciple of the Wu Xiang Sword Sect!"

    "What does Senior Sister Yue Xiao n to do to him?" Ji Yaoge suddenly stopped, and the wooden girl widened her eyes in shock.

    "Heh," Zong Heughed slyly, "He prides himself on being a gentleman, right? Senior Sister Yue Xiao prepared the Illusory Love Chapter of the ''Twelve Immortal Demon Dance'' for him, with Luanhe Smoke and Hehuan Bell... Heh heh heh, if he''s a man, he''ll show his true colors. Gentleman, my foot! I don''t believe he can withstand it. He''ll make a fool of himself. Senior Sister Ji, just watch. We''ll get revenge for you!"

    "..." Ji Yaoge was speechless.

    None of those were offensive spells, but... but... she suddenly felt sorry for Senior Brother Gu.

    "What are those?" The wooden girl, unfamiliar with the sect''s methods, asked anxiously.

    "Those..." Bai Yan stroked his chin, "Do you know aphrodisiacs?"

    The wooden girl nodded.

    "Things a hundred times stronger than that," Bai Yan exined bluntly.

    "..." The wooden girl was really dumbfounded.

 Vol. 1 - Chapter 42 - Reunion

    Chapter 42: Reunion

    Neither Ji Yaoge nor the wooden girl had expected to see Gu Xingzhi under such circumstances. They exchanged nces, both reading a hint of sympathy in each other''s eyes¡ªeven though the wooden girl was anxious.

    Gu Xingzhi could be considered a gentleman at heart. He was more like a disciple of the Wu Xiang Sword Sect than she was, practically a model of the righteous sects'' standards: upright, kind, and detesting evil. His internal scale always distinguished ck from white, with no gray areas, making him somewhat rigid but also making his beliefs purer.

    Having spent over two hundred years with him at Wanren Mountain, he had always treated her with respect. Even after their feelings became clear, he never overstepped boundaries. Such a Gu Xingzhi would surely despise a ce like Chixiu Pce, filled with enchantresses.

    The idea that he had any improper intentions towards Yao Huang was something neither Ji Yaoge nor the wooden girl believed.

    They hurriedly followed Zong He through most of Chixiu Pce, finally arriving at Xian Scenic Spot. Xian Scenic Spot was a stone tform in the back mountain for moon viewing, neglected and deste due to its remote location.

    Today, however, it was unusually lively. Chixiu Pce disciples surrounded the tform, but no one made a sound, afraid of disturbing the duel.

    Zong He pushed through the crowd. Ye Long stood at the front, arms crossed, watching the duel with a nk expression. Ji Yaoge approached and softly greeted, "Senior Sister Ye Long." Ye Long only responded with a "hmm," her eyes still glued to the duel.

    Purple smoke swirled around Xian Scenic Spot, with figures moving within the mist. From their position, they couldn''t see clearly. Ji Yaoge only heard the sound of bells, crisp and melodious, captivating. Laughter from several women apanied the bells, bewitching and soul-stealing. asionally, clear figures appeared in the smoke¡ªgraceful women in thin veils, their curves alluring, their postures seductive. A faint fragrance, like a young girl''s body scent, wafted over, intoxicating even from a distance. Some low-level disciples were already blushing and dazed.

    The Illusory Love Chapter of the "Twelve Immortal Demon Dance" was led by Yue Xiao, with four female cultivators dancing alongside, apanied by Luanhe Smoke and Hehuan Bells. Chixiu Pce hadn''t used such a grand formation against a man in years.

    Thest time was against a rogue cultivator practicing evil arts, who tried to capture female cultivators from Chixiu Pce as cauldrons, angering Lady Ying Shuang. She set up this Illusory Love Formation, which trapped the rogue in an illusion until his essence was exhausted, his cultivation destroyed, and he was expelled from Tiyu State.

    Apart from that, Chixiu Pce rarely used such seductive arts. Lady Ying Shuang, though lenient with her disciples, had one unbreakable rule: no abusing seductive arts to harvest yin and yang, using cultivators as cauldrons.

    This was a major taboo in Chixiu Pce. As for consensual rtionships, they were either indulgence or practice, not bothering others, and no one cared. After all, they practiced seductive arts; expecting them to be proper gentlemen was impossible. Hence, the reputation of the seductive sects in the cultivation world was always poor, but Lady Ying Shuang and Chixiu Pce walked the line between right and wrong, never crossing it.

    This was one reason Ji Yaoge had stayed in Chixiu Pce for two hundred years.

    Now, for Gu Xingzhi to force Chixiu Pce to use such high-level measures, there must have been a severe conflict, prompting the disciples to band together against the enemy. Despite being a small, free-spirited sect, Chixiu Pce disciples were willing to defend against external threats, allowing the sect to survive in Tiyu State for centuries without being divided.

    Through the thick mist, Ji Yaoge couldn''t see Gu Xingzhi, only vague figures. Someone seemed to be sitting still in the center. After two hundred years, Gu Xingzhi''s cultivation should have reached the mid-Core Formation stage, simr to Ye Long''s level. But in terms of skills, apart from Lady Ying Shuang, no one present could match him. Whether the "Twelve Immortal Demon Dance" was effective, she couldn''t tell yet. But if it came to a real fight, they wouldn''t fare well.

    "What are you hesitating for? Stop it now!" The wooden girl was anxious, almost jumping.

    Ji Yaoge nced at the wooden girl, puzzled, "You should have confidence in Senior Brother Gu''s skills."

    "I..." The wooden girl admitted she was a bit too concerned.

    As they spoke, a fierce and powerful aura suddenly surged from the mist¡ªJi Yaoge recognized it immediately as Gu Xingzhi''s "Four Seas Return to One." Ye Long''s face darkened, but before she could react, the bell sounds lost their rhythm, the purple smoke was swept away by a strong wind, and a man''s suppressed roar echoed. Several slender figures were thrown out of Xian Scenic Spot.

    Ye Long quickly caught Yue Xiao andnded, her eyes fixed on the person in the formation.

    Cries of pain rose around them, from the other female cultivators who had been expelled from the formation.

    As the smoke cleared, the Luanhe Smoke was scattered, the Hehuan Bells shattered on the ground, and the sound of waves crashing faintly filled the air. Gu Xingzhi stood on the stone tform, his clothes disheveled, his long sword split into three, his gaze fixed on Yue Xiao.

    With a shout, he leaped, his sword aimed at Yue Xiao. Ye Long''s curved de leaped from its sheath, ready to meet Gu Xingzhi. But a fiery figure flew in front of Ye Long, ice armor quickly forming before her.

    With a "shh," Gu Xingzhi''s sword pierced the ice armor, which cracked into powder. Ji Yaoge didn''t have time toment the expensive magical item she had just bought before Gu Xingzhi''s second sword strike came.

    "Move aside," Ye Long''s voice came from behind, her curved de humming. Ji Yaoge knew she couldn''t let them fight, or there would be casualties¡ªthis wasn''t the oue they wanted. If Gu Xingzhi was injured, Wanren Mountain would retaliate, and Chixiu Pce couldn''t afford it. If Ye Long was injured, how would they avenge it?

    In just a few moments, she had enough reason to act.

    Though the ice armor shattered, she had already prepared two green spiritual tools in her hands: Sand Bind in her left and Vine Wrap in her right. She released them one after the other. Gu Xingzhi''s sword seemed to sink into the sand, its momentum slowing, then as if entangled by ropes.

    These two techniques were designed to counter "Four Seas Return to One," but her cultivation level wasn''t high enough to harm him, only weakening his attack. He shook his sword, cutting through the spells, ready to strike again, but heard a clear voice, "Daoist Gu, I am the one you''re looking for."

    His enraged rationality slightly returned, his sword slowed, and he pressed her towards the distance, his clear eyes meeting hers, sparks flying.

    Bang¡ª

    Ji Yaoge''s back hit the distant mountain wall, a sharp pain piercing through her. Several flying swords conjured by Gu Xingzhi stabbed into the stone wall, causing a tremor, rocks falling. Ji Yaoge''s eardrums ached from the vibration, her neck chilled as his long sword grazed her neck, embedding in the stone. The slight sting suggested the sword wind had cut her skin.

    Hot breath hit her face as Gu Xingzhi pressed close, his hand gripping the sword, pinning her to the wall. A hint of pine scent rose from his body heat, a familiar scent to Ji Yaoge. But seeing him like this was a first. The usually well-dressed man, even in private, had never been so disheveled. Though he broke the formation, he had suffered within it.

    "Ji, Yao, Ge?" Her name came out of his mouth one word at a time, his half-hidden eyes bloodshot, filled with undisguised anger and lingering desire, a stark contrast to his usual restraint.

    This was apletely unfamiliar Gu Xingzhi.

    His face was still flushed, his exposed skin red from the effects of the "Twelve Immortal Demon Dance." Ji Yaoge didn''t like being pinned like this. She moved, trying to break free and calm the agitated Gu Xingzhi.

    "I am. I think there''s a misunderstanding between our sects, Daoist Gu. We should..." Before she could finish, she noticed his body tremble, his gaze turning strange and angry, his face flushing even more¡ªshe seemed to have identally brushed against a sensitive part of him.

    "Shut up, don''t move." Gu Xingzhi took deep breaths, trying to suppress his restless desire. The lingering effects of the formation made her every move feel like a provocation, intensifying his desire. His hot skin craved the coolness of the woman before him¡ªthis unintentional teasing was too much, and he almost lost control. It was his mistake, getting so close in his rage.

    After a moment, he pulled his sword and leaped away. When hended, his figure wavered, but when he reappeared, his clothes were neat, his hair tied up, only his trembling hand gripping the sword showing any sign of his previous state. He seemed back to normal, except for the disdain and disgust in his eyes¡ªemotions she had never seen before.

    "Despicable methods of the seductive sect, Gu has experienced them today!" Gu Xingzhi''s voice was low but loud enough for Ji Yaoge and the approaching people to hear. His voice was cold, his eyes filled with contempt and hatred,beling her a "demoness."

    "Daoist Gu, I don''t know why you had a conflict with my fellow disciples, but if you''re here to seek justice for Zhou Ling, I can tell you clearly, Zhou Ling deserved her punishment. She coveted the treasures of Shigong Ridge, was arrogant and reckless, and only lost a Sun Mirror.

    The master of Shigong Ridge was already merciful! I don''t know how Zhou Ling ndered me and Chixiu Pce outside, nor how she twisted the truth. As a disciple of a righteous sect, you should be fair and just.

    Please ask Zhou Ling clearly and manage your fellow disciples, to not engage in such hypocritical and nderous acts!" Ji Yaoge raised her hand, stopping Ye Long and Bai Yan from stepping forward. Her face and voice turned cold; she didn''t like Gu Xingzhi''s attitude.

    Gu Xingzhi had calmed down but was still angry. Today''s events were a humiliation for him, even though he hadn''t been defeated. Someone like him didn''t mind a fair fight but hated such underhanded humiliation.

    "I didn''te to seek justice for Zhou Ling. I have some questions for Miss Ji, but your disciple Yao repeatedly obstructed me and set up a bewitching trap. In my anger, I acted, and your disciples attacked without listening to my exnation. I want to ask, is this how your sect treats guests?"

    Ji Yaoge instinctively looked at Yao Huang. Yao Huang, standing behind Ye Long, had a seductive smile, "He was sneaking around outside our gate, asking about you. I didn''t know his intentions. Recently, the disciples of the three sects have been hostile towards us. I feared they might target us, so I invited him in and used some bewitching arts to gather information. You know, our bewitching arts rely on... certain interactions between men and women. Who knew he was like a virgin? Halfway through my spell, he suddenly woke up, injured me, and scolded us in front of the junior disciples. He touched and hugged me, and I didn''t even get angry!"

    Hearing the word "virgin," Gu Xingzhi''s barely suppressed anger red up again. Ji Yaoge quickly interrupted Yao Huang, "What happened next? How did Senior Sister Yue Xiao get involved?"

    Yue Xiao, pale and supported by Ye Long, gritted her teeth, "I had just returned from outside and heard some disciples from the three sects ndering our sect and you. Their filthy words were infuriating. When I returned, I saw Yao Huang injured by him, and he was arrogantly scolding us. You should have seen his superior attitude, as if our ce was filthy. Hmph, how pure is he? If he''s so righteous, he should never touch a woman in his life!"

    "..." Gu Xingzhi''s good manners and temper were exhausted today, barely holding back from arguing with them.

    Laughter rose from the crowd, and Yue Xiao continued, "I couldn''t stand it. Since he prides himself on being a gentleman, he should withstand our ''Immortal Demon Dance.'' How did you find the experience, Daoist Gu?"

    "Yue Xiao!" Ye Long scolded, and Yue Xiao fell silent.

    Gu Xingzhi''s face turned from red to ck. He had suspected the person on Shigong Ridge was the one he was looking for, but due to that person''s entric temperament, he didn''t dare approach directly. So he came to Chixiu Pce to inquire about Ji Yaoge, nning to visit Shigong Ridge with a well-prepared n. Who knew it would lead to this series of conflicts?

    Ji Yaoge felt relieved and looked at Ye Long for confirmation. Ye Long nodded slightly and said, "It was a misunderstanding. We misunderstood Daoist Gu. I am Ye Long, the senior sister of Chixiu Pce. I apologize on behalf of my impulsive junior sisters. They are injured now. Can we let this matter rest?"

    "Ye Long!" Yue Xiao protested, tugging at her sleeve, but Ye Long silenced her with a re.

    Opposing Gu Xingzhi meant opposing all of Wanren Mountain, which was unwise.

    Gu Xingzhi didn''t want to entangle with them further. He floated up and said, "If it''s a misunderstanding, let''s resolve it. But your sect''s actions today will be remembered. Farewell!" With that, he left.

    "Hmph! Hypocrite," Yue Xiao muttered at the empty sky, then winced, "Ouch, it hurts!"

    "That''s what you get for being impulsive!" Ye Long scolded, supporting her. "Everyone involved today, go to the Lingering Pavilion for a bottle of Spirit Gathering Powder to heal... and then to the Discipline Hall for tenshes!"

    "..." Everyone''s faces fell.

    "Me too?" Yue Xiao pointed at herself.

    "As the senior sister, you didn''t teach them well and led them into trouble, almost causing a disaster. Twentyshes!" Ye Long pulled her hand down.

    "Ye Long!" Yue Xiao was furious.

    The two argued as they left, and the others gradually dispersed. The wooden girl stared nkly at the sky¡ªtwo hundred years, and this was all she got, not even a word exchanged.

    Ji Yaoge didn''t move, lost in thought until Bai Yan came to pull her. She then clenched a piece of talisman paper in her hand.

    The talisman was secretly thrown to her by Gu Xingzhi as he left, with familiar yet hasty writing¡ª

    "Tonight at midnight, Shuangxia Yanpo, I have important matters to discuss. Pleasee."

    He wanted to meet her alone.

 Vol. 1 - Chapter 43 - The Morning Sun

    Ji Yaoge instructed Bai Yan to take Yuan Huan and the wooden girl back to the cave residence first. She then followed Ye Long and Yue Xiao to the Ju''an Hall. Whether it was the events at Shigong Ridge or today''s incident, they needed to report to Lady Ying Shuang.

    All the way, she walked at the back, while Ye Long and Yue Xiao walked ahead, bickering as they went. The bickering wasn''t serious; mostly, it was Yue Xiaoining and Ye Long listening. Ji Yaoge couldn''t help but smile as she listened. Nearly two hundred years had passed since their old grudges, and though the misunderstandings remained unexined, the resentment had gradually faded. They still argued, but the sharp edges had been smoothed out, and they lived on, bickering and ying.

    Suddenly, the two in front stopped walking. Yue Xiao turned around and grabbed Ji Yaoge''s hand, staring at her intently. "Yaoge, I think you''ve be more beautiful!"

    Ji Yaoge touched her face. "Really? I still look the same, don''t I?"

    "No, you really look prettier. It''s strange... I can''t quite put my finger on it." Yue Xiao, who loved to dress up and had a keen eye for beauty, couldn''t pinpoint exactly what had changed about Ji Yaoge. After thinking for a while, she still couldn''t figure it out. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed Ye Long also staring at Ji Yaoge''s face. She raised an eyebrow and squeezed between them, blocking Ye Long''s gaze. "What are you looking at? Is it that good?"

    "..." Ye Long, who was inexplicably scolded, felt quite innocent¡ªif it weren''t for Yue Xiao''sment, she wouldn''t have been curious. She didn''t see any difference; it was still the same face.

    Yue Xiao was about to scold her again, but Ji Yaoge held her hand. "Alright, stop picking on Senior Sister Ye Long. She''s been putting up with you for so many years. I think it''s time for you to temper your fiery temper a bit."

    "Did you hear that?" Ye Long red at Yue Xiao.

    Yue Xiao was furious, poking Ji Yaoge''s forehead. "You ungrateful thing, who was it that stood up for you against Gu Xingzhi from Wanren Mountain?"

    "You dare bring that up?" Ye Long''s face darkened instantly.

    "Ah?" Yue Xiao''s eyes darted around. "My chest hurts, the injury hasn''t healed, it hurts..." She immediately clutched her chest and walked away.

    Ji Yaoge couldn''t help butugh. For so many years, she had always been the mediator between these two.

    If one day she left here, she thought she would miss them.

    ¡ª¡ª

    Ju''an Hall had been restored to its original state after the great battle 198 years ago. Lady Ying Shuang sat behind the curtain to see them. Ji Yaoge and Ye Long reported the events inside the hall, but Lady Ying Shuang seemed distracted, her brows furrowed with worry. Even the serious matter of offending the three sects was lightly brushed aside.

    As they left Ju''an Hall, Ji Yaoge asked in confusion, "Is Lady Ying Shuang facing some difficult problem recently?"

    Although Ye Long was close to Lady Ying Shuang, she didn''t know either. "Senior Brother Yan sent a letter recently. After reading it, Lady Ying Shuang has been like this. We don''t know what happened."

    Speaking of Chixiu Pce''s Senior Brother Yan Xun, he was a mysterious figure. Ji Yaoge had been here for nearly two hundred years and had only seen him twice, both times briefly, without even exchanging words. He always met Lady Ying Shuang upon his return, ignoring everyone else.

    "Senior Brother Yan has been with Lady Ying Shuang for a long time, right?" Ji Yaoge asked as they walked.

    "Indeed," Yue Xiao answered instead. "When we became Lady Ying Shuang''s disciples, Senior Brother Yan had already been with her for a long time. It''s said that he followed them when the Master was still alive. Strictly speaking, Senior Brother Yan should be considered the Master''s disciple. After the Master passed away, Senior Brother Yan stayed with Lady Ying Shuang."

    The Master... was he the man in the portrait hanging in Ju''an Hall?

    "What kind of person was the Master? I''ve never heard Lady Ying Shuang or anyone mention him," Ji Yaoge asked curiously.

    Ye Long, who had just reached the old locust tree, turned and shook her head. "None of us have seen the Master, and Lady Ying Shuang never talks about him. It''s said that the Master originally built a cave here alone.

    After saving Lady Ying Shuang and bing her Daopanion, he expanded the cave into Chixiu Pce. The Master and Lady Ying Shuang were deeply in love, known as a famous dual cultivation couple in Tiyu State.

    The Master was exceptionally talented, with outstanding cultivation, even the Mountain Lord of Tiyu State treated him with respect. In those days, Chixiu Pce was much more prestigious, with hundreds of disciples, almost like a small sect in the famous mountains and rivers.

    The Master and Lady Ying Shuang''s dream was to lead Chixiu Pce''s disciples into orthodoxy, shedding worldly prejudices, and bing a truly great sect. Unfortunately, the Master passed away too soon, leaving Lady Ying Shuang to support it alone.

    Now, the sect is in decline, and talents are scarce." She sighed. "These are things I heard from a few old cultivators in Tiyu State. Now, most of those old cultivators are gone, either dead or left."

    It''s quitementable. Although they had never seen Chixiu Pce''s most prosperous era, they could vaguely feel its past glory from the descriptions of others. Taking an unremarkable seductive sect and gradually growing it into a respected, orthodox sect admired by the world, passed down for generations¡ªwhat an ambitious dream!

    "So the Master..."

    Anticipating Ji Yaoge''s question, Yue Xiao replied directly, "The Master died of old age, sumbing to the Five Decays of Heaven and Man."

    <ins ss="adsbygoogle " data-ad-client="ca-pub-1251668167683017" data-ad-slot="9726118107" data-adyout="in-article" data-adyout-key="" data-ad-format="fluid" data-full-width-responsive="false" style="disy: block; text-align: center;"></ins>

    This was the only version known throughout Tiyu State and Chixiu Pce. The Five Decays of Heaven and Man were the end of the long path of cultivation for all cultivators.

    "It seems the Master was an extraordinary person. By the way, why don''t we have any of the Master''s techniques in our sect?" Ji Yaoge continued to ask.

    "Why are you so full of questions today?" Yue Xiao pinched her cheek, but Ji Yaoge dodged.

    Ji Yaoge indeed seemed unusually curious today.

    "I''ve been in the sect for so many years and never heard about our sect''s history. Since we''re talking about it, I''m curious."

    "As for the techniques, how would we know? Maybe they''re all with Lady Ying Shuang. Haven''t you noticed that the ''Twelve Immortal Demon Dance,'' although created by Lady Ying Shuang, was perfected with the Master''s guidance? Otherwise, how could it be so powerful? Imagine how formidable the Master was. His techniques wouldn''t be easily revealed," Yue Xiao said dismissively.

    Ji Yaoge wanted to inquire further, but Ye Long waved her hand. "Enough of this. Yue Xiao,e with me to heal your injuries."

    "I don''t need your fake kindness. Wee~ Byeee" Yue Xiao rubbed her chest and ran away from the shadow of the old locust tree.

    Ji Yaoge gave up her thoughts and watched Ye Long and Yue Xiao bicker as they walked away.

    ¡ª¡ª

    Bai Yan''s cave residence wasn''t far from Ji Yaoge''s. Now, Yuan Huan and the wooden girl were staying there. His cave wasrger than Ji Yaoge''s, newly built, with five stone chambers inside. Despite Bai Yan''s carefree and flirtatious nature, his cave was tastefully decorated, with lotus seats, jade beds, stone tables, paintings, and a channel with lotus nts and yful fish, making it veryfortable.

    He gave thergest stone chamber to Yuan Huan and took the wooden girl to y by the stone bridge over the stream. The wooden girl was sullen, staring at her reflection in the water, ignoring Bai Yan''s attempts to cheer her up.

    As he was worrying, the small koi in the water suddenly leaped one after another, sshing water all over the wooden girl. She eximed in surprise and red at Bai Yan. Bai Yan shed a bright smile. "What''s wrong? Who made you unhappy?"

    The wooden girl leaned back on the stone railing. "No one." She was just angry at herself¡ªGu Xingzhi and Ji Yaoge both seemed like strangers. Despite spending two hundred years on Wanren Mountain, in the end, only she was left reminiscing.

    Knock, knock¡ª

    Bai Yan tapped her arm¡ªthe wooden girl had undergone an illusion, looking like a real person, but her body was still wood when touched.

    "Little wooden girl, I''m really curious about your origins. How did you end up hiding in a piece of wood?"

    "Little wooden girl, little wooden girl, I have a name, you know?" The wooden girl was annoyed. She wanted to say, "Ask your senior sister about my origins," but was interrupted by someone entering from outside and swallowed her words.

    Ji Yaoge had arrived.

    "Where is he?" she asked Bai Yan.

    Bai Yan nced at the inner chamber. "Meditating inside." Apart from Yuan Huan, there was no one else she would ask about.

    Ji Yaoge nodded and nced at the wooden girl. They exchanged no words, and she went straight into the inner chamber.

    ¡ª¡ª

    Yuan Huan had already opened his eyes when he heard her footsteps. Sure enough, the fiery red cloak appeared at the entrance, like a flickering me.

    "Immortal Yuan," she greeted, standing at the entrance and bowing.

    The stone chamber was quiterge. Yuan Huan sat cross-legged on a lotus stone, with the twilight from the skylight casting a faint glow, making him look like a deity. This made Ji Yaoge suddenly feel cautious, so she greeted him properly.

    He responded with a e in," and Ji Yaoge stepped into the stone chamber. The distance shortened, the deity became reachable, and his features became lively.

    "I''ve discovered some clues and came to discuss them with you."

    Yuan Huan showed some interest. "Oh? You just returned, and you''re already so quick."

    "Of course. I promised to investigate the Linghai matter for you. If I don''t act quickly, I fear you''ll leave me behind." Ji Yaoge spoke with deliberate ttery.

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    He rarelyughed, but her ttery made him smile, though it was brief, enough for Ji Yaoge to see his rxed expression.

    "Go ahead, what did you find?"

    "Ren Zhongping mentioned that the artifact to open Linghai was originally hidden in the Ghost Domain, likely stolen to Wanhua and guarded there. He also found a connection between Lady Ying Shuang''s ''Immortal Demon Dance'' and the Burning Passion Technique of the Chiying n. So I asked a few senior sisters about the sect''s history." Ji Yaoge paused, seeing Yuan Huan listening attentively, and then detailed what she had learned.

    Finally, she analyzed, "I initially suspected Lady Ying Shuang might be connected to the Chiying n, but shees from Qingxuan Pce in the Western Ridge. She has maintained contact with her fellow disciples there over the years, so her background is traceable. She can''t be from the Ghost Domain. Now it seems, Lady Ying Shuang''s Daopanion might be from the Chiying n."

    "ording to you, the artifact might be in Lady Ying Shuang''s possession?" Yuan Huan asked.

    "It''s possible. I n to find time to investigate Ju''an Hall. What do you think?"

    "With your cultivation, you n to sneak into Lady Ying Shuang''s cave?" Yuan Huan raised an eyebrow.

    "Don''t worry, I''ll do it without alerting anyone and ruining your ns." Ji Yaoge bit her lip, her eyes showing a hint of unspoken pride.

    Yuan Huan stepped down from the lotus tform and walked to her, lowering his voice. "It seems you have other secrets?" He didn''t intend to delve deeper. "Very well, I''ll leave this matter to you. I need to leave for two days."

    "Where are you going?" Ji Yaoge asked directly, realizing it was inappropriate after she spoke.

    Fortunately, Yuan Huan didn''t mind. He pondered, "To find the entrance to Linghai. The artifact alone is useless without the entrance, and the map of the entrance is with Xiao Wuheng."

    "You''re going to find Xiao Wuheng?" Ji Yaoge eximed.

    "Even if I find him, he won''t give it to me. But Xiao Wuheng should be on his way, or perhaps already in Tiyu State." Yuan Huan waved his hand, and a map appeared before him. No, it was more like a miniature mountain range, spread out in the air. The terrain, vegetation, mountain gates, and pces were all vividly depicted, a scaled-down version of Tiyu State, which he could observe from any angle with a wave of his hand.

    Seeing Ji Yaoge''s astonished expression, Yuan Huan smiled proudly. "I don''t need a map. The terrain of Tiyu State is in my grasp. From the mountain ranges, vegetation growth, spiritual energy changes, and celestial phenomena... Never mind, why exin so much to you?"

    "No, no, Immortal Yuan, please exin. I want to know." Ji Yaoge quickly said. She finally understood why so many powerful beings in Wanhua regarded Yuan Huan differently. Such skills weren''t achieved through simple cultivation alone.

    "Even if I exin in depth, you wouldn''t understand! Simply put, Linghai is born from the essence of heaven and earth, and arge forbidden formation requires the spiritual energy of heaven and earth to be set up. If Linghai is indeed hidden beneath Tiyu State and bound by a forbidden formation, the terrain of Tiyu State would be affected. This effect would manifest in the ways I mentioned earlier." Yuan Huan''s eyes sparkled as he stared at the intricate map, his brows rxed.

    Ji Yaoge thought, this man truly loved what he practiced. Whenever he talked about these things, he seemed like a different person.

    Like the cold moon, suddenly transforming into the radiant morning sun¡ªthe youngest sun.

    "I''ve already calcted that there is indeed a massive spiritual field buried beneath Tiyu State, bound by a forbidden formation. This formation is extremelyplex. I''ve spent three hundred years here, locking down several entrances to the formation, but I''m still not certain. However, this formation activates once every thousand years, and it should be in three months. The spiritual energy has already started to leak, making it the best time to confirm the entrance."

    He paused, looking at Ji Yaoge''s rare expression of dumbfounded amazement, feeling particrly pleased.

    He kindly reminded her, "As the entrance opening approaches, Tiyu State will be very lively. Xiao Wuheng ising, the three sects areing, and there may be unexpected people, all with cultivation levelsparable to mine, or even higher. If Chixiu Pce is indeed involved, it won''t be peaceful. Be careful not to lose your life and gain nothing."

    "Fortune favors the bold. Cultivation defies the heavens, and I''ve already seen through life and death. I don''t care." Ji Yaoge raised her chin, showing the courage of a newborn calf unafraid of tigers, meeting his gaze.

    Yuan Huan onlymented, "Your courage ismendable."

    Ji Yaoge then remembered another matter. "By the way, what did Ren Zhongping mean by ''soul cleansing and body recement''? What exactly is hidden in Linghai?"

    Linghai was a broad concept, and no one knew what was inside.

    "Back then, countless ancient powerful beings perished in the fight for Linghai, and countless treasures were buried with it. Whether it''s celestial artifacts, elixirs, or heavenly materials, it''s a treasure trove every cultivator dreams of. That''s one reason. The second reason is the extremely pure spiritual energy contained in Linghai. A single drop can equal a hundred years of cultivation for a cultivator. Cultivating there is a huge temptation for any cultivator. As for soul cleansing and body recement..."

    His expression suddenly became serious. "Soul cleansing and body recement are for the cultivators of the Ghost Domain. The Ghost Domain is different from Wanhua. The spiritual energy there contains the Nine Nether Yin, which affects the bodies of those who cultivate and live there, making them unable to adapt to Wanhua''s environment.

    Except for a few highly cultivated individuals, ordinary cultivators would go mad and die if they left the Ghost Domain for too long. That''s why the Ghost Domain has always lost more than won in battles with Wanhua.

    They only plunder resources and have never upied anynd in Wanhua. It''s not that they don''t dare, but they can''t."

    "So... Linghai can solve this problem?" Ji Yaoge''s brows furrowed as she listened.

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    "Yes, the pure spiritual energy in Linghai can cleanse the body and purify the Yin, freeing them from its influence." Yuan Huan nodded.

    Ji Yaoge continued, "So, Xiao Wuheng is determined to obtain Linghai because if he gets it, he will gain the support of all the cultivators in the Ghost Domain. He will then be able to rule the Ghost Domain unchallenged. And if the cultivators of the Ghost Domain can undergo soul cleansing and body recement, Wanhua will be their ultimate target¡ªXiao Wuheng''s ambition is great..."

    The Ghost Domain was filled with ruthless cultivators, known for their brutal methods. If they invaded Wanhua inrge numbers, it would be the most terrifying disaster in Wanhua''s history¡ªwidespread devastation and suffering.

    She had seen far enough, and Yuan Huan didn''t need to say more.

    "Immortal Yuan, forgive my boldness, but may I ask, why are you fighting for Linghai?" Ji Yaoge suddenly wanted to know.

    Was it for the public good or personal gain?

    Yuan Huan gave her an unexpected answer. "For interest." He was simply interested in the restrictions and Linghai here and wanted to study them.

    It wasn''t a noble reason, but it was honest enough.

    Ji Yaogeughed; this was his style.

    "It''s gettingte. Why are you still here? Aren''t you worried about beingte?" He sat back on the lotus seat, asking casually.

    Late? Ji Yaoge was puzzled.

    "The invitation from Wanren Mountain," he added.

    Ji Yaoge realized¡ªhe was referring to Gu Xingzhi''s private invitation.

    "How did you know?"

    Yuan Huan didn''t answer, his insightful gaze saying, "Do you think you can hide your little tricks from me?"

    Ji Yaoge smiled awkwardly, looking at the skylight. The twilight had long turned to frost moon. After a long conversation, she had been here for a while and indeed needed to go.

 Vol. 1 - Chapter 44 - Keeping the Appointment

    Shuangxia Yanpo refers to Yanwei Slope in Shuangxia Valley, about four or five miles from Chixiu Pce. Ji Yaoge leftte and had to quicken her pace, traversing through the night. The cold night wind, mixed with frost, stung her cheeks slightly. She rubbed her face as she flew low, thinking about the wooden girl.

    When she left Yuan Huan, the wooden girl was leaning dejectedly on the stone railing of the outer cave, her gaze listless, only brightening slightly when she saw Ji Yaoge. Ji Yaoge knew what the wooden girl was thinking, but she didn''t tell her where she was going, which made her feel a bit guilty. But now was not the time to confess to Gu Xingzhi.

    Even if she were to tell him, she needed to prepare a foolproof escape route first. She wasn''t as optimistic as the wooden girl. She came to this appointment to confirm whether the three sects had indeed intervened in the Linghai matter. If so, Gu Xingzhi must be here to inquire about Yuan Huan''s whereabouts.

    As the shadows of the trees passed by, she quickly arrived at Yanwei Slope. The frost moon had just emerged from the clouds. Today was the sixteenth, and the moon was still very round. The person sitting on the rock had his back to the moon, looking like a silhouette¡ªa straight posture, a frozen figure, with only his hair and clothes fluttering.

    Ji Yaoge didn''t know how long Gu Xingzhi had been waiting here, or if he had been here all day. She removed her hood under the rock and cupped her fists. "Daoist Gu, I apologize for beingte."

    The figure on the rock flickered and silently flew down,nding five steps away from Ji Yaoge.

    "It was presumptuous of me to invite you to meet at night. I''m already grateful that you came, so there''s no need to apologize."

    The light was dim, but Ji Yaoge could still see Gu Xingzhi clearly. He cupped his fists and bowed, his manners impable. His voice and expression were cold but polite, showing no sign of neglect due to their difference in status. However, the five steps between them were his way of maintaining distance, with all his pride and aloofness hidden in his eyes.

    Only those familiar with him could discern a hint of pity in his brows.

    Unlike thepassion of deities for all beings, it was the kind of emotion one has when looking down from a high ce at someone insignificant¡ªperhaps he didn''t even realize it himself, but Ji Yaoge knew this expression well. It was the same one her master, Xie Lengyue, often wore.

    "What important matter does Daoist Gu have to discuss with me?" Both of them tacitly avoided mentioning the conflict from earlier in the day, and Ji Yaoge didn''t waste words.

    "I wish to inquire about someone."

    "The person on Shigong Ridge?"

    "You''re very perceptive," Gu Xingzhi praised, though his tonecked sincerity.

    "I was merely following my sect''s orders to deliver herbs to a friend of the Tiyu Mountain Lord on Shigong Ridge. I know very little about the matters there, so I''m afraid I can''t help you, Daoist Gu," Ji Yaoge said regretfully.

    Gu Xingzhi thought she was being evasive. "Let''s be frank. I''ve inquired about Tiyu State, and in the past fifty years, no one who went to Shigong Ridge stayed for more than two days. But you stayed for over a month." He softened his tone, "You may have your reasons, and I don''t want to make things difficult for you. I just want to know if there are any peculiar taboos about the senior on Shigong Ridge, so I can avoid them when I visit. Also, is this senior an old man with one eye?"

    He was indeed looking for Yuan Huan.

    Ji Yaoge recalled Yuan Huan''s various forms¡ªfrom a baby to a teenager, to a young man, to an old man. If she shook her head, it wouldn''t be a lie.

    Seeing her silence, Gu Xingzhi thought she was hesitating. He turned his palm to reveal a piece of scale armor, emitting a faint purple glow. Ji Yaoge''s pupils contracted as she stared at the armor: a close-fitting armor covered in thin purple scales, reflecting beautiful light in the moonlight.

    This armor was made from the scales of the Purple Dragon Carp on Wanren Mountain, capable of withstanding a full-strength attack from a Core Formation cultivator. It took fifty years for the Wu Xiang Sword Sect to refine one piece, usually reserved for the elders. As disciples, they could only obtain it by cing second in the centennial Wu Xiang Sword Trial.

    The one in his hand was from the year she was released from Miao Zong Peak. They participated in the sword trial together, and she narrowly won by one move, taking the first prize. From that year on, she became the well-known senior sister of the Wu Xiang Sword Sect, while he took second ce and received this Dragon Carp Armor. It was their first real confrontation, and although she gave it her all, he held back, taking the first second ce of his life.

    Recalling the past, Ji Yaoge couldn''t help but feel soft-hearted. Even without love, those two hundred years ofpanionship mattered. Sometimes, what binds people isn''t just love but the stories umted over long years.

    "If Miss Ji is willing to help me, this Dragon Carp Armor will be yours," Gu Xingzhi said, observing her reaction. He guessed she would be tempted, as this armor was a rare treasure for a cultivator of her level.

    Ji Yaoge closed the distance between them, approaching him and gently touching the purple scale armor. Her voice softened, "This armor is precious. It''s not worth exchanging for just a few pieces of information."

    "Whether it''s worth it is for me to decide," Gu Xingzhi said, looking down at her. The distance between them had unknowingly shortened, and he couldn''t gauge the proper distance. Her face, illuminated by the faint purple light, was soft and her eyes alluring. He quickly looked away, feeling a chill in his heart.

    People from the seductive sects indeed had a natural charm.

    "Why is Daoist Gu so eager to inquire about the senior on Shigong Ridge? Could you tell me a bit more?" Ji Yaoge took the armor into her hands, gently stroking it, feeling the spiritual energy of Wanren Mountain flowing through it.

    "This is a sect secret, and I cannot divulge it. Please forgive me," he refused without hesitation. "But rest assured, if the senior is indeed the person I''m looking for, he must have some connection with my sect. I won''t offend him, nor will I make things difficult for you."

    Ji Yaoge smiled, her eyes clear as she looked into his eyes. "The senior does have a peculiar temperament but is not difficult to get along with. Unfortunately, it''s toote. Even if you know, it won''t help. The senior has already left Shigong Ridge."

    "What?" Gu Xingzhi was shocked, his brows furrowing.

    "When I descended the mountain, they also left. Now, Shigong Ridge is empty. If you don''t believe me, you can go and see for yourself. I''m sorry, I can''t help you." She handed the armor back to him.

    Gu Xingzhi didn''t take it. "Do you know where he went?"

    Ji Yaoge shook her head. "The senior''s whereabouts are beyond the reach of someone with my low cultivation. Take the armor back."

    Gu Xingzhi was silent for a moment, seemingly epting her words. He didn''t intend to take back the armor and said solemnly, "No need. Keep it. You lost a protective magical item because of me today. Consider this mypensation."

    He was so generous and courteous that Ji Yaoge had no reason to refuse. She smiled and thanked him, then tucked the armor into her cloak. The tightly wrapped cloak moved slightly as she put on the armor right in front of him¡ªan intimate item she had just taken from his hand. Gu Xingzhi''s face suddenly felt warm.

    "If there''s nothing else, I''ll take my leave." Ji Yaoge cupped her fists in farewell.

    Gu Xingzhi nodded, bing more silent and cold. Ji Yaoge didn''t linger, putting on her hood and turning to leave. Suddenly, her wrist was grabbed. She was startled and turned to ask, but he made a gesture for silence and said, "Someone''sing." He pulled her under the rock.

    As soon as he spoke, Ji Yaoge sensed the restless spiritual energy in the air. The pressure quickly reached their location. If Gu Xingzhi hadn''t noticed earlier, they would have been exposed to the intruder''s perception.

    His wide gray cloak opened with one hand, and they huddled together under its cover. Ji Yaoge recognized the cloak; it was his protective treasure, capable of concealing their presence and disguising their location. Once opened, it gradually became transparent. They could see clearly, but to outsiders, it looked like just a rock.

    The wind carried the sound of rustling grass and leaves. Two ck shadows, a man and a woman,nded on Yanwei Slope, their cultivation at the mid tote Core Formation stage. The woman''s cultivation was near the peak of Core Formation, higher than Gu Xingzhi''s.

    Their fight was silent, with only the wind carrying a deadly pressure, causing sand and stones to fly on Yanwei Slope. They didn''t use spells or magical items, only engaging in closebat. Their movements were so fast that Ji Yaoge could only see two afterimages intertwining in the moonlight, with the asional sh of weapon light like meteors. Although the woman''s cultivation was higher, the man''s skills were not weak, and there was no clear advantage.

    Gu Xingzhi and Ji Yaoge held their breath to avoid detection¡ªwhether friend or foe, being discovered would be troublesome.

    In just a few moments, they exchanged over a hundred moves. Finally, with a light "ding," their fight stopped. The woman tightly gripped the man''s throat with her weapon, a set of sharp ws on her fingers. Five ws pressed against his neck, the tips embedded in his flesh. The man slightly raised his chin, no longer struggling, squinting at the woman who was much shorter than him.

    Ji Yaoge''s eyes widened in shock¡ªshe knew both of them.

    Lady Ying Shuang and her senior disciple, Yan Xun.

    "Yan Xun, don''t force me!" Lady Ying Shuang, still dressed simply, her lips tightly pressed, her seductive eyes filled with anger, her voice trembling slightly, making her threat seem less firm.

    Yan Xun sighed deeply¡ªthe senior brother Ji Yaoge had only seen twice. In appearance, he looked much older than Lady Ying Shuang, tall and thin, with a sickly pale face, his brows covered in dust, like a weary traveler. In temperament, he was also more mature than Lady Ying Shuang. Standing together, they looked like siblings, not master and disciple.

    "Ying Shuang, it''s always been you forcing me. If you want to kill me, do it now. I won''t resist," Yan Xun''s voice was low and resolute. "But my feelings won''t change. A thousand years ago, they were like this, and a thousand yearster, they still are."

    "Shut up, don''t call me by my name!" Lady Ying Shuang was furious, her cheeks flushing. "I... I am your master''s wife!"

    "..." Ji Yaoge, hiding under the cloak, couldn''t help but exchange a nce with Gu Xingzhi.

    Gu Xingzhi was initially shocked. People from the seductive sects were indeed unrestrained, disregarding ethics and morals. When he met Ji Yaoge''s eyes, he realized the distance he had carefully maintained was almost gone, just like their current close proximity. He even slightly bent his back to amodate her height under the cloak.

    "Because you were my master''s wife, I endured a thousand years of exile, the pain of seeing you only once every hundred years. But I''ve had enough... Ying Shuang, look at me and tell me you have no feelings for me," Yan Xun caressed her cheek, "If you truly have no feelings, why were you so distressed when you heard I was gravely injured?"

    "I wasn''t!" Lady Ying Shuang released her grip on him and pushed his hand away. "You are my master''s senior disciple, a child I watched grow up. My concern for you is only because I am your master''s wife!"

    "I don''t believe you!" Yan Xun was unmoved, pressing closer. "Ying Shuang, our master has been gone for over a thousand years. You''ve waited for him long enough. Can''t you think about yourself?"

    "He wille back. He promised me!" Lady Ying Shuang''s lips trembled, her eyes red.

    Yan Xun smiled bitterly. "Wake up. He won''te back. He''s already dead..."

    "Shut up!" Lady Ying Shuang scolded him. "He''s just missing, not dead, not!"

    Ji Yaoge was extremely surprised¡ªmissing, not dead?

    "We''ve searched for him for over a thousand years. Why can''t you ept reality? If he were alive, why hasn''t he appeared? He loved you so much, he wouldn''t let you suffer like this." Yan Xun was also agitated, his skin even paler, wanting to shake her awake.

    Lady Ying Shuang just shook her head, no longer calm. "That''s because we haven''t searched enough, haven''t tried hard enough..."

    "Are you using me of not trying hard enough?" Yan Xun''s smile grew more bitter. "Do you know I want our master to return more than anyone, even more than you, because only then can I let gopletely. Do you think I haven''t struggled, haven''t had conflicts? I put in a hundred times the effort to find our master, to make you happy, to let me give up." Admitting he loved the woman he had called "master''s wife" since childhood, the moral guilt, the ethical shame, and the silent reproach of their master invading his dreams...

    The torment he endured was bone-deep, driving him to search for the missing person with a hundred times the effort, only to be doubted by her now.

    Lady Ying Shuang was silent, tears streaming down her cheeks.

    "You think I''m ipetent, unable to find our master, so you set up this scheme, leaked the information, attracted Xiao Wuheng, involved Yuan Huan, and let more and more people get involved in the Linghai secret, right?" Yan Xun pressed her, his eyes gradually turning red.

    "No, it''s not that you''re ipetent. I just hope more people, stronger cultivators, will help us find him. That way, the chances are greater..." Lady Ying Shuang wiped her tears and turned her back to him. She couldn''t bear to look at his eyes.

    "Don''t you remember our master''sst words, never to reveal the Linghai secret, never to let anyone know Chixiu Pce is involved? Don''t you understand that revealing anything will bring disaster to Chixiu Pce and you?"

    Gu Xingzhi frowned deeply¡ªhis sect leader had long instructed him that the Linghai matter was the top priority. Finding Yuan Huan was not only for Bai Yun but also to investigate the Linghai matter. He hadn''t expected...

    As he pondered, his sleeve was gently tugged. He instinctively looked at Ji Yaoge, who was close enough to touch. She mouthed the words.

    Foundation Establishment cultivators couldn''t transmit sound through divine sense, and she didn''t dare speak aloud. They could onlymunicate through lip-reading, but Gu Xingzhi should understand.

    Her pale pink lips moved.

    <span data-sentryponent="defaultRenderMark" data-sentry-source-file="index.tsx">Help me.

    ¡ª She said.

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