Lin Dongming was studying materials in the Dan Pavilion when a shadow quietly approached behind him.
“According to the sect’s records, this Forbidden Land Trial of the Ancient Kingdom of Jiangnan is divided into three regions, like three concentric circles nested together.”
A huge map unfolded before Lin Dongming.
The outermost layer was a spring-breeze-warmed valley, but many mimicry-proficient spirit beasts were hidden within.
The middle layer was a thousand miles of flowing sand, and the legendary Weakwater Three Thousand where even a goose feather couldn’t float.
The innermost layer was the sunless Youming Mountains, where countless fierce beasts roared with bared fangs.
The deeper the layer, the richer the treasures and opportunities, and the greater the danger.
Only those at the Jindan Stage could enter, so even Yu Jianyi had to suppress his cultivation to the peak of Jindan for his own chance.
“With the difference in cultivation, there’s even less chance. I have to break through to mid-Nascent Soul Stage before entering.”
Lin Dongming gritted his teeth, but a cool touch pressed against his cheek.
A pouch of spirit stones landed beside his face.
“Ah?”
Lin Dongming turned his head. As expected, it was Yun Shuying.
“Elder Yun, this is?”
Lin Dongming looked at Yun Shuying in confusion.
“Payment for the foot massage.”
Yun Shuying smiled softly.
“It was very comfortable a few days ago. I’m satisfied.”
“Do you want another massage tonight?”
Lin Dongming glanced at the dusk outside, where light and shadow mingled.
“…Very well.”
Yun Shuying said,
“Let’s set out after the massage. We’re heading to Great Ze Mountain soon.”
“Ah?”
Lin Dongming thought for a moment.
“Isn’t the departure date tomorrow?”
“The agreement was indeed for tomorrow.”
Yun Shuying replied.
“But if word leaks, the other side might escape early. I’d rather move ahead.”
“I see. Speed is crucial in battle, and surprise wins the day.”
Lin Dongming didn’t hold back his praise, offering Yun Shuying as much emotional value as he could.
Yun Shuying gazed at Lin Dongming’s sharp profile, suddenly dazed.
—Lin Dongming was not him.
Yun Shuying had come to understand this more clearly in recent days.
They only bore a slight resemblance; their personalities and temperaments were completely different.
That person’s former gentleness, his smile, all of it was an act. He didn’t like others, and was extremely selfish inside. His heart was like a sealed bottle—if a few drops leaked out, he thought he’d given the whole world.
Yun Shuying deeply despised such a person.
If she didn’t still want to kill him, she would never have wanted to see him again in her life.
But Yun Shuying was not like that. She was someone who repaid hatred with vengeance. Even if she couldn’t take revenge immediately, she would bury the grudge, waiting for the right moment to strike fatally.
She didn’t trust, nor could she wait for Heavenly Dao Retribution. She preferred her vengeance swift.
If the heavens couldn’t deliver punishment to evil scum, then she’d use her own hands to do it!
If kindness is repaid with enmity, then how do we repay kindness?
If good isn’t rewarded, and evil goes unpunished, who would still believe in heaven’s justice?
Yun Shuying’s fist tightened, her face twisting with rage.
Lin Dongming looked up at her in surprise.
“What’s wrong?”
Yun Shuying snapped out of her trance.
“Sorry. I just thought of something unpleasant.”
In truth, Lin Dongming had just been thoroughly frightened.
The pressure of the Conjunction Stage was devastating to a Jindan.
If he wasn’t used to tense situations, he might have collapsed on the spot.
Seeing Yun Shuying’s mood recover, Lin Dongming calmed himself and continued washing her feet.
“Elder Yun, are you going with murder in your heart?”
Lin Dongming pressed the acupoints on her sole as he spoke.
“Mm.”
Yun Shuying frowned.
“I’m going to kill my Heart Demon.”
“No wonder you showed that expression earlier.”
Lin Dongming said calmly.
“Facing one’s Heart Demon head-on is a kind of courage too.”
“If only a Heart Demon could be killed so easily.”
Yun Shuying said.
“The matter at Great Ze Mountain might not go so smoothly.”
“Then Elder Yun must be even more careful.”
Lin Dongming’s expression remained gentle.
“Take more life-preserving magic treasures and trump cards with you—better safe than sorry. Though I want to help, Jindan-stage items are probably useless to Elder Yun. I can only make some Ling Cuisine to supplement your spiritual energy and cultivation.”
One of the senior bootlicker’s maxims: Even if you can’t help, don’t just sit around—at least show willingness and desire to help, to gain more favorability.
“Don’t worry. There aren’t many things in this cultivation world that can truly kill me.”
Yun Shuying smiled faintly.
“At the Integration Stage, even if your physical body is destroyed, there are ways to survive. As long as it’s not a group siege or the Tribulation Stage, there shouldn’t be major problems.”
“It’s said that those at the Tribulation Stage can achieve Drip-Blood Rebirth. Is that true?”
Lin Dongming asked doubtfully.
“Even if only a drop of blood remains, can they fully revive?”
“It’s very possible. Though I’ve never seen it.”
Yun Shuying replied.
“Because there aren’t many things in this world that can leave only a drop of blood from a Tribulation Stage cultivator.”
“That makes sense.”
Lin Dongming nodded, chatting idly with Yun Shuying as he prepared to see her off.
Yet, even these trivial topics brought Yun Shuying great joy.
Yun Shuying began to realize—perhaps she was starting to like Lin Dongming.
After all, if a stranger’s idle talk made you happy, it was because you liked the person talking.
“I’m somewhat looking forward to the coming days.”
Yun Shuying put on her shoes and socks, ready to leave.
She hadn’t felt this way in years.
Hundreds of years were enough for her to experience all the pleasures of the mortal world, but also made her lose the sense of surprise and anticipation.
No other reason, only too many experiences.
Moreover, the Heart Demon grew stronger each time, heavier each day.
If she didn’t rid herself of it, Yun Shuying feared she would become useless.
The Heart Demon was like a thickening grey film, gradually cutting off Yun Shuying’s joys and sorrows.
Even indulging in wine and music couldn’t make her forget.
But now, with hope of ridding herself of the Heart Demon and someone waiting for her return, life seemed completely different.
—How wonderful. It feels completely different.
Yun Shuying draped a deep blue Dao robe over her shoulders and soared on the wind.
“While I’m gone, I’ll leave the house in your care.”
Yun Shuying smiled at Lin Dongming.
“Wait for my return.”
Then she turned into a streak of flowing light and vanished.
“Great Ze Mountain… is that the Great Ze Mountain in Yunmeng Marsh? There should be many spirit beasts and fierce beasts inside. It’s probably on the border of the Eastern Domain and Nanyu.”
Lin Dongming had read ancient texts.
Once, there was a Great Ze, called Yunmeng, stretching for thousands of miles.
“I hope nothing happens.”
Lin Dongming shook his head. Worrying wouldn’t help.
On the other hand, Bai Zhiqing…
Lin Dongming felt a bit uneasy.
He flew by sword to the place they often trained.
Then he saw Bai Zhiqing, covered in blood.