Chapter 3: Consuming a Deceased Dao Companion

All paths ultimately lead to immortality. In the past, cultivators considered obeying Heaven’s mandate to be righteous, while seizing fortune from all living things was deemed evil.

Now, as long as one can ascend, any path is a good path.

From ancient times, the Celestial Alliance has changed its Daoist leaders time and again, but only one rule has remained constant.

Strength is respected above all.

But on this matter, a certain unscrupulous master and disciple pair hold a different opinion.

Everyone has their weaknesses, even immortal maidens.

Once you grasp it, no matter how high their cultivation, it’s useless—only adds to the pleasure for those who defile them.

“The Kunlun Snow Lotus Sect cultivates ice-jade bodies—I’ve heard that when their Dao reaches a certain height, the body is crystal clear, as if made of living ice, and their spirit bones are translucent.”

Of course, their thirst for blood is even greater.

Lin Wu gazed at the snow-capped peaks stretching over a thousand mountains. A month had passed since he last climbed this path, and now the snowfall had lessened considerably.

“You actually know quite a bit.”

The White Lotus girl at his side muttered quietly.

Such a strange title as ‘Patriarch’ (meaning ‘my master’s husband’)—Yun Mengyao would never believe it for a second.

But aside from being hopeless with directions, Lin Wu somehow knew more about the sect than even the personal disciples.

In outsiders’ eyes, Kunlun Ruins has always been shrouded in mystery, its promotion system strict; even she, as an insider, was hearing many details of sect secrets for the first time.

“I just wonder what realm Mu Bingxin has reached now. If I squeezed her, would I get snow water?”

When that untouchable, icy mountain in the world’s eyes is stained red with blood, riddled with gaping wounds, shattered beyond repair, and finally comes crashing down—what an exquisite scene that would be!

Lin Wu was looking forward to it. Just imagining the sword of vengeance rampaging through the nearly transparent, watery Dao body of that immortal maiden…

It felt…

So arousing!

He glanced at Yun Mengyao beside him. Her snow-white skin looked soft enough to break at a touch, still retaining that cold, breathtaking beauty.

The fine white hairs on her arms stood on end; these days she’d become so sensitive that even a glance would make her jump away, pouting, her pretty face flushed.

Wretched thief!

Held captive, Yun Mengyao still craved another taste of that alluring flavor.

Once you’ve tasted Lin Wu’s blood, all former perceptions are overturned. Now, every other “blood pack” seems bland and flavorless.

“Y-you said you’d sell your blood to feed me. Was that true?”

Yun Mengyao twisted the hem of her white dress, bashful, no longer able to keep her usual aloofness.

She wasn’t greedy—just being able to suck from a Red Lotus Elder after being a White Lotus Disciple was enough to satisfy her.

With a Nascent Soul-level cultivation, she could return home in glory and become her village’s first Immortal Teacher!

By rough calculation, she would have needed to catch ten Foundation Establishment Junior Sisters and feed for a year.

Now, this one “livestock” before her was enough.

Lin Wu scratched his head, a face full of question marks.

“When did I ever say I’d support you? Immortal maiden, do you even understand your own situation? You’re my prisoner; whether you get rations depends on your performance.”

Yun Mengyao shook her head, crestfallen. Just thinking of the treacherous act to come made her fearful.

In the end, isn’t this just me selling out my master for blood?

“Come on, so what if you’re a Golden Core? Bullying me is one thing, but my master is really powerful! If you really want to throw your life away, don’t drag me down with you. At most, I’ll let you… you know, one more time to vent your anger… and maybe a sip of blood?”

Yun Mengyao tapped her fingers, gulping.

Ugh!

She really did have the makings of an immortal maiden.

“Who says you have to rely on brute force? With a little snack like you, I could catch you with a bare hook, no need for brains at all!”

Lin Wu rolled his eyes, then flicked Yun Mengyao’s smooth forehead.

The Dao his master imparted was called “Tribulation.”

There was no need to say who was to be “tribulated.”

The Tribulation Path has four stages. The first is Heaven Entrapment, as the name suggests.

Before he even finished the first stage, Lin Wu had already refined Immortal Vitality, established his Hundred Tribulation Foundation, and condensed a Blood Origin Golden Core.

Since leaving the mountain, in less than half a year, he’d reached such a realm. Clearly, he’d already “robbed” many seemingly pure immortal maidens, and was beginning to touch the threshold of the second stage.

A Golden Core is condensed from Blood Marrow Red Pills, and his battle record is open for all to see~

“Hmph. I’ll say this first—introductions are fine, but I won’t help you commit misdeeds.”

Yun Mengyao lay sprawled atop her lotus artifact. Her bare feet glowed, long legs graceful, as she held the Snow Lotus Token and drifted slowly over the Jade Mountain Gate.

“That’s not up to you.”

Lin Wu was confident about his “flavor.”

To set the stage for the immortal maiden, he had endured much. Now, after being refined through countless Blood Techniques, his Dao body was only more alluring than before.

Mu Bingxin, this time I hope you can hold out a bit longer—don’t reveal your true nature too quickly!

At this moment, the mountain path was crowded with would-be visitors drawn by the sect’s fame.

Beneath the two, the flow of people formed a long line, all casting admiring glances their way.

“Look, it’s Fairy Yun! The Sect Master’s personal disciple from Snow Lotus Sect!”

Yun Mengyao instinctively straightened her back, proudly basking in the admiration of the other disciples.

Lin Wu could hardly hold back his laughter.

This little girl shrieked and wailed in private, but among all the immortal maidens he’d disciplined, she was the softest, yet insisted on saving face.

“Who’s that young man with her? How did he get so lucky as to walk with Senior Sister Yun?”

The two appeared together, both extraordinarily handsome and elegant.

Their ethereal auras complemented each other—like a perfect pair of celestial children.

“We’ve arrived at Divine Maiden Peak. If you’re set on courting death, no one will stop you. I bet you’ll be thrown into the ice prison by the Disciplinary Elder for harsh interrogation before you even see Master.”

Yun Mengyao sighed lightly. About to be free from Lin Wu’s grasp, she felt oddly disappointed.

If Lin Wu exposed her, she’d simply say she was coerced—not a match for the thief.

Being sent to face the wall and reflect was nothing. The real pity was that such a good “blood pack” would no longer be hers to enjoy.

Before them stood a cold, clear palace.

Frost and mist swirled, immortal traces lingering—a true Celestial Holy Land.

“Fine, if you win, you can do as you like; if you lose, you’ll have to please yourself tonight.”

Yun Mengyao spat lightly, her cheeks tinged with red, feeling no joy at all.

Even if she won, there was no way to claim her prize. This fellow would have to spend his days as a coddled ‘flesh lingzhi’ in a greenhouse, a fate worse than death.

When it comes to those with impure motives, the elders never show mercy.

“You’re doomed to lose. In recent years, there have been at least fifty, if not a hundred, impostors claiming to be the late Senior Cang Wu. All say they fell from the snow peak, narrowly escaped the Kunlun icy abyss, but lost their memories—just to win Master’s favor.”

“Oh really?”

Lin Wu snorted.

So even after I’ve abandoned that name for three years, you’re still using it for your own gain?

Mu Bingxin’s tragic love story really was well crafted—enough to fool the whole world.

With her unmatched beauty, she’d lured in quite a few imposters, serving them up as all-you-can-eat buffets.

A true immortal maiden—never wastes even a shred of usefulness. Impressive!

They climbed the jade steps just as a voluptuous, red-robed female cultivator strode out of the inner hall, her brows furrowed.

“Mengyao, why aren’t you cultivating at Qinghan Hall? Why bring an outsider here?”

The Snow Lotus Sect has strict hierarchy. Yun Mengyao had just risen from Blue Lotus Attendant to White Lotus Disciple.

Judging by this woman’s splendid robe and frosty, elegant face, she must be the Crimson Elder. Above her is the Frozen Lotus Sect Master.

“Greetings, Qiu Ming Elder. I found a lost mountain visitor in the forest recently—he’s gravely injured. With my cultivation, I can’t cure his cold poison. I came to beg Master’s help.”

Little White Fur was visibly nervous, feeling her excuse was a bit flimsy.

Qiu Ming was startled, flicking her sleeve.

“Nonsense! You dare trouble the Sect Master herself over such a trivial matter? Don’t get arrogant just because you’re a personal disciple. Even a White Lotus Disciple doesn’t get to see the Sect Master whenever she wants!”

“But…”

Yun Mengyao shrank her neck, helplessly glancing at the boy.

See? It’s not that I won’t help you. Most people can’t even get through the palace gates.

Lin Wu had no choice but to clutch his chest and use the old trick—forcing a trace of blood from the corner of his mouth, pretending to be weak and listless.

“My deepest apologies. If not for absolute necessity, I would never have disturbed the immortal elder.”

Crimson Elder Qiu Ming took a deep breath, a sharp gleam flickering in her eyes. Her cold expression suddenly softened.

“Still, rules are dead and people are alive. To act heroically is the duty of those on the righteous path. You’ve done well, Mengyao. Leave this child to me—I’ll see he’s properly healed.”

With that, Qiu Ming took Lin Wu by the arm, changing her expression faster than turning a page.

Truly, they’re all cut from the same mold—these bloodthirsty immortal maidens!