The dim light filtered through the room, and Lian Yue’s shadow cast upon the wall trembled slightly.
She lowered her deep blue eyes, which were filled with a touch of gloom.
While mutual affection was a beautiful thing, every time a spark was struck, they had to interrupt Gu Ze’s excitement because of her special constitution.
Lian Yue felt incredibly guilty. She remained silent, her lips pouted in a wordless frown.
“Don’t be sad. Stopping at the critical moment can be considered its own kind of charm. Besides… you were so proactive for my sake. There’s no reason for me to feel any resentment, right?” Gu Ze walked to her side and softly comforted the visibly hurt Lian Yue.
She let out a small chuckle. “Instead, I’ve ended up needing you to comfort me. I’m not sad because of what happened between us; I’m just blaming this fake pure yin body of mine!”
Gu Ze had heard of the pure yin body. It was a top-tier constitution that female cultivators dreamed of.
It was exceptionally suited for practicing powerful cultivation methods with demanding talent requirements, and its breakthrough speed was incredibly fast.
Although he knew Lian Yue was troubled by her constitution, Gu Ze had never known the details regarding this so-called “pseudo-yin body.”
Sensing that his breathing had slowed slightly, as if he were interested, Lian Yue naturally felt the need to vent.
“You should know about the pure yin body. It is a special constitution, one in 10,000, and extremely rare. However, my constitution is even rarer. I am a pure yin body born from another pure yin body. You could call it a pseudo-yin body.”
‘This constitution didn’t inherit the powerful talent of a pure yin body. Instead, it’s a useless constitution that makes cultivation impossible. I would even faint if I came into contact with any yang energy.’
‘Fortunately, heaven didn’t abandon me. My innate etheric qi can make up for my deficiencies, forging my constitution into a fake pure yin body. Not only does it allow me to cultivate normally, but my cultivation speed far exceeds that of ordinary people.’
‘However, a fake is a fake after all. As soon as something of pure yang enters my sight, it burns my Linghai. I’ll quickly lose consciousness. Thankfully, this symptom will lessen slightly as my cultivation base increases.’
Perhaps after reaching the Nascent Soul stage, Lian Yue would be able to use her cultivation base to forcibly resist the influence of yang energy for a long time.
But at the late Golden Core stage, she could still be harmed by the yang energy of a mere mortal.
Gu Ze listened quietly. What Lian Yue said was actually quite similar to what he had guessed.
However, the fact that Lian Yue’s mother was a pure yin body truly surprised him. Perhaps that woman, who might become his mother-in-law in the future, was a powerhouse of the Immortal Realm.
“Pseudo-yin body. I’ve noted it down. In the future, I will help you find a way to solve the issues with your constitution,” Gu Ze said in a flat tone.
There was no need to put on a grand, passionate display when making such a promise to Lian Yue. This was simply something he should do for her.
The world was vast, and many places held heaven-defying opportunities. Obtaining one could change one’s fate against the heavens.
It was just that Gu Ze’s current cultivation base wasn’t high enough to reach those places yet. In the future, when his power was sufficient, finding one for Lian Yue wouldn’t be difficult.
Lian Yue’s star-like eyes flickered. Hearing Gu Ze’s words, her chest tightened for some reason.
She reached out and took Gu Ze’s hand, giving it two gentle squeezes. “I believe in your abilities. I’ll allow myself a little bit of expectation, then.”
Lian Yue quietly looked up, only to find Gu Ze looking down at her as well.
Their gazes met, and it felt like an electric shock passed between them. They both quickly looked away.
‘Why did things suddenly get so sentimental?’
Lian Yue bit her lip and asked in a serious tone, “Gu Ze, why are you willing to be so good to me? Do you truly see me as an older sister, a bosom friend, or… as your Dao companion?”
Gu Ze hadn’t expected Lian Yue to be the first to bring this up.
Lian Yue must have been hesitating for a long time. If this ambiguous relationship continued, they would eventually have to face this question.
Should they continue to pretend to be “secret bosom friends,” or should they bind their fates and become Dao companions?
The answer was obvious.
Gu Ze leaned down slightly. Lian Yue seemed to have anticipated it and moved forward to meet him.
“I wouldn’t do this to a bosom friend. Lian Yue, in truth, I’ve wanted to become Dao companions with you for a long time.”
Their breaths intertwined in the close proximity. Gu Ze’s gaze grew burning hot as he kissed Lian Yue with intensity.
The girl’s eyes softened, yet her mind had never been so clear. She held on for a long time.
Ultimately, she pushed Gu Ze away while panting for breath, her eyes full of delight. “Hee-hee, I like it when you kiss me.”
In her distraction, the ribbon at her neck slid down her fragrant shoulder. Lian Yue didn’t care at all, repeating to Gu Ze that she liked him.
“Lian Yue, are you truly willing to become my Dao companion?” Gu Ze felt that this was going even more smoothly than a dream.
“Mm. I don’t need vows of eternal love; I only want someone who understands me. Meeting you is Lian Yue’s good fortune.” Her gaze wandered over Gu Ze before she finally scrutinized his face carefully.
As expected, the more she looked, the more she liked him. She wanted to make Gu Ze her personal possession.
Suddenly, Lian Yue’s eyes darted around as a plan formed in her mind.
“However—” she said, shifting the conversation. She raised a foot and lightly brushed her toe against Gu Ze’s knee, chuckling softly.
“We still have to start as secret Dao companions. As for you, you aren’t allowed to go out and broadcast our relationship to everyone.”
Seeing her show the expression of a little devil, Gu Ze knew that Lian Yue definitely had some strange plans in mind. Who knew what kind of “big surprise” she would give him?
But Gu Ze didn’t mind. If Lian Yue liked it, he would play along.
Seeing Gu Ze nod in response, Lian Yue was very satisfied and lightly clapped her hands.
“Don’t worry, I won’t make you wait long.”
She glanced at the large bed nearby out of the corner of her eye and made a decision in her heart.
“Can you hold me and lie down for a while? Just like… how you and Li Xunmiao were in her Dongfu.”
Gu Ze’s brow twitched. He was slightly shocked. “That place is supposed to block a Golden Core’s perception. How do you know so much detail?”
“Hmph, I was just testing you. I didn’t expect you to actually admit it.” She raised her foot and kicked Gu Ze’s calf several times.
Her jade-like feet were soft and lacked strength; it felt more like she was acting spoiled.
Lian Yue suddenly changed her angle and slowly raised her leg, aiming a kick toward Gu Ze’s groin.
Gu Ze was genuinely startled this time and quickly grabbed her restless little foot.
Lian Yue didn’t resist, allowing him to capture her foot while his thumb rubbed against her sole.
“It tickles! Stop it, Brother Gu Ze. Carry me to the bed and lie with me for a while,” she requested in a low voice.
Gu Ze leaned down and wrapped his arm around Lian Yue’s back, while his other arm supported her behind, holding the girl very tightly.
With half her body pinned in Gu Ze’s embrace, Lian Yue could hardly move.
In such a dominant posture, Gu Ze pressed her directly onto the bed. Lian Yue sank into the soft mattress, and the bright flower petals she had prepared beforehand scattered around her.
Lian Yue turned her head, revealing her swan-like neck and tempting collarbones. Her skin was like congealed fat, appearing as though it would break at a mere touch.
Her shimmering dress covered the vital parts of her body securely, yet it retained a sense of hazy beauty.
Her cherry-like lips, which Gu Ze had just kissed, were moist and slightly parted.
Lian Yue’s fragrant shoulders were exposed, and her eyes were as enchanting as silk. She spread her arms freely above her head, offering no resistance.
It seemed she was already willing to be “devoured” by Gu Ze.
But… as soon as Gu Ze moved a bit closer, Lian Yue’s eyes rolled back, and she became as still as a statue.
Gu Ze poked Lian Yue’s cheek, his eyes showing a hint of helplessness.
‘This is truly a bit of a mood killer.’
No! He couldn’t wait that long. His gaze instantly became sharp as he made a firm resolution in his heart.
Lian Yue had already agreed to be his Dao companion, yet he couldn’t “eat” her even though she was right there. Any man would be driven crazy.
He had to find a way to improve Lian Yue’s constitution within the Cloudsea Immortal Pavilion as soon as possible.
At the very least, he couldn’t let her faint so frequently before they even reached the stage of being completely honest with each other, right?
Holding it in forever would truly break a man.
Using Lian Yue as a bolster, he lay with her for a while. Since it wasn’t too late, Gu Ze planned to head back to Biluo Peak to take a look.
Although Biluo Peak didn’t have many books—mostly cultivation methods and secret manuals that Qingquan had collected based on her interests—it did contain some unofficial histories of the Immortal Realm. As for how “unofficial” they were, he would have to judge after seeing them.
***
As the presence beside her vanished, it didn’t take long for Lian Yue to slowly wake up.
Feeling the still-warm bedding, Lian Yue sighed with a hint of regret. However, she soon cupped her face and began to giggle.
‘I didn’t expect Gu Ze to truly be willing to accept me. I knew he must like me too!’
‘Hee-hee… Good thing I’m wearing the special undergarments my confidant custom-made for me with self-cleaning, drying, and incense functions. Otherwise, Gu Ze might have experienced what a flood feels like today.’
While Gu Ze’s romance was blooming, and the Biluo Peak Lord was troubled by love, things were not going well at Dan Yin Peak on the other side of the pavilion.
Wang Xiao had failed his pursuit of the Dao and perished. Dan Yin Peak was suddenly without a leader.
Many of the elders usually only cared about refining pills, and the few managing elders didn’t have access to the significant power Wang Xiao held.
For the past few days, many affairs of Dan Yin Peak had ground to a halt without a peak lord to make decisions.
Even the mountain-protecting array had been riddled with holes by the Nascent Soul-level heavenly residue that fell after Qingquan attained the Dao.
The disciples of Dan Yin Peak were in a state of panic, and the former personal disciples were not having an easy time either.
Qiaogu had just left the Cloudsea Immortal Pavilion, looking at the vast world and preparing to see it for himself, when he heard the earth-shattering sound behind him.
He rushed back, only to learn that his Master had perished.
There wasn’t even much time for him to grieve.
Now, many senior brothers and sisters who were away had been notified to return and observe the mourning period for their Master. For now, the place relied on him and Chen Xin to calm the panicked disciples.
Qiaogu’s face was heavy with grief as he brought Chen Xin to Wang Xiao’s former residence, intending to organize their Master’s legacy.
Naturally, the two of them didn’t dare to claim anything for themselves; they simply wanted to tidy up their Master’s home to keep it respectable.
However, outside Wang Xiao’s magnificent Dongfu, a black-haired old man was already standing with his hands behind his back.
Qiaogu knew some of the big figures in the Sect, and he instantly recognized this man as Hu Meng, the Elder of the Sutra Library on the Buzhou Main Peak.
This person was an unfathomable Nascent Soul powerhouse with a great reputation within the pavilion.
“Greetings, Elder Hu.” Qiaogu gave Chen Xin a look, and she hurried to bow respectfully as well.
Seeing that the two recognized him, the old man didn’t bother with a lengthy introduction. He remained stern and authoritative, nodding slightly.
“Mm, no need for formalities. Wang Xiao’s passing has been hard on you two. Please restrain your grief. I have come here under the Sect Master’s orders to repair the Dan Yin Peak’s mountain-protecting array.”
“During this time, I will serve as the Acting Peak Master of Dan Yin Peak and will take the opportunity to inventory Wang Xiao’s legacy.”
After informing them of his purpose, he waved his hand. A majestic force directly shattered the sturdy protective formation at the entrance of Wang Xiao’s Dongfu.
Qiaogu was secretly shocked. ‘Is this a Nascent Soul powerhouse? The array Master set up was treated as if it were nothing.’
It was a pity that his Master had never reached this realm.
“The two of you, follow me inside. Don’t worry; what Wang Xiao did will not involve you.”
Qiaogu clenched his fist and let out a deep sigh.
Chen Xin, however, was somewhat confused. “Master… what did he do?”
Hu Meng stroked his beard and glanced at the pained Qiaogu before looking at the bewildered Chen Xin. He sighed helplessly.
If one knew, it was one thing; if one didn’t know Wang Xiao’s methods and merely worshipped his alchemy skills, perhaps it was for the best.
“Never mind. It seems you truly don’t know. Follow me inside and see for yourself.”
Chen Xin’s heart pounded wildly. Her instincts told her it was best not to enter Wang Xiao’s Dongfu.
However, she wanted to find out exactly what kind of person the “real Master” Elder Hu Meng spoke of was.
The three of them entered the Dongfu and passed through a courtyard planted with medicinal herbs.
Hu Meng didn’t go straight to Wang Xiao’s living quarters or study. Instead, he went directly to the warehouse—a spatial storage area with a massive internal capacity.
Chen Xin followed him hesitantly. A few seconds later, her figure came bolting out. She knelt on the ground, her face pale with terror.
Covering her mouth, Chen Xin’s pupils shook with shock as she fought back the urge to vomit.
The warehouse was full of people.
Or rather, human materials.
It was a devil’s den! Among them were many faces Chen Xin recognized. They were all materials Master had prepared for alchemy?!
In an instant, Chen Xin’s Dao heart nearly collapsed.
Hu Meng slowly walked out. He was well-traveled and knew that Chen Xin’s Dao heart had been damaged.
“You don’t need to doubt yourself. The one in the wrong was Wang Xiao. He was a genius in the Dao of Alchemy, but he went astray and fell into demonic possession, secretly harming many innocents.”
“The most terrifying part is that he truly saw humans and medicinal ingredients as the same thing, using and discarding them at will. His death is perhaps his retribution.”
“Even though he was at fault, at least he didn’t pass that fault on to you. Go to Wang Xiao’s alchemy room and clear your minds.”
Qiaogu helped the trembling Chen Xin up. Once she had calmed down sufficiently, the two of them silently left the area.
Hu Meng paced about, suddenly looking toward a patch of empty space. There were traces of an active array here.
He performed a quick calculation with his fingers and, with a casual strike, broke open a secret door and stepped inside.
The space here was small. If a Golden Core cultivator were outside, it would be difficult to notice anything unusual.
He looked around at the two bookshelves and reached out to touch them. His fingertip was repelled by a restriction on the shelf, and a line of small characters appeared.
**[Only for one who carries the Dao of Alchemy]**
“Wang Xiao, oh Wang Xiao, you’ve really given me a difficult problem.” He smiled bitterly.
As the Elder of the Sutra Library on the Buzhou Main Peak, his coming here to repair the array and act as Peak Master was merely a cover. The true priority was to recover Wang Xiao’s forbidden ancient pill recipes and evil books.
These were Wang Xiao’s treasures, obtained through his own opportunities, but they were also the culprits that had made him cold and ruthless.
Neither Hu Meng nor Gong Lixing wanted a second Wang Xiao to appear in the Cloudsea Immortal Pavilion.
However, this collection of books was unique in the world. Although many of the things recorded were unorthodox and evil, there was no lack of legitimate inheritance of the Dao of Alchemy.
Destroying them blindly would certainly solve the problem forever, but it would also be a loss for the Cloudsea Immortal Pavilion and even the alchemists of the entire cultivation world.
Complicated self-destruct restrictions had been placed on the bookshelves long ago. They were 100 times more complex than the array at the Dongfu entrance and could not be broken by force.
There were only two ways for Hu Meng to retrieve these books. One was to spend several years here slowly unraveling the complex array.
The other was to fulfill the conditions clearly written in the restriction.
That is, Wang Xiao’s final wish: to find someone who could truly carry the Dao of Alchemy.
Hu Meng secretly wondered if Wang Xiao had prepared for failure long ago.