241 - Elasia Saga

In the heart of the demonic pool, within the gentle, hazy glow of a light barrier, two figures could be seen entwined together, their bodies caressing each other inch by inch. Suddenly, the torrential demonic energy surged outward, spiraling around the entwined bodies, merging their auras to the point where it was impossible to distinguish one from the other. It was as if they were one. Fu Yan explored every inch of Bai Yue Li's skin with a deliberate tenderness, her lips tracing a path of longing downwards. Under the dim light, Fu Yan's gaze was akin to beholding a priceless treasure. The person beneath her shivered ever so slightly, their typically calm and composed eyes now veiled by a misty haze, a subtle red blush tinting the corners. The light filled with an ambience of spring, and in a moment it brightened intensely before slowly descending below the surface of the demonic pool. Even if someone were standing at the very edge, they wouldn't have noticed anything unusual. Of course, without the Demonic Sovereign’s command, no one dared approach the area. Days later, the still surface of the pool was disrupted by a series of bubbling sounds rising from its depths, causing the entire body of water to gently ripple. “Whoosh…” In mere moments, the disturbance escalated, and a terrifying demonic energy suddenly shot skyward. Those attuned could distinctly sense tiny traces of spiritual power intertwined within. Strangely, the two energies didn’t repel but rather intermingled harmoniously, enhancing one another and stirring the entirety of the demonic pool. This upheaval persisted for an uncertain length of time, until finally a soft, circular light barrier rapidly ascended from beneath the pool. In an instant, the light broke the surface. The next moment, with a gentle "pop," the light enveloping Fu Yan and Bai Yue Li scattered, and they found themselves back in the demonic pool. This time, their bodies were bare, the water lapping at their necks, their long black hair naturally cascading into the pool. With that, the previous disturbance in the pool calmed, and both Fu Yan and Bai Yue Li slowly opened their eyes, feeling the energy within them settle once more. Fu Yan’s eyes retained a clarity as she glanced at Bai Yue Li, pulling her attention back from the lingering warmth of cultivation. She instinctively wrapped her arms around the figure under the water. Perhaps due to the recent dual cultivation, Bai Yue Li felt airy and a bit unreal, a rosy tinge lingering on her fair cheeks. Her eyes, still misty, and her long lashes fluttered gently, seemingly not yet fully recovered from the warmth shared. Noticing this, Fu Yan couldn't help but smile slightly, unwilling to pass up the beautiful sight of a beauty in bathing. She leaned closer, capturing Bai Yue Li's lips once more. The latter instinctively raised her hand but accidentally touched a soft area on Fu Yan’s chest, causing her thoughts to scatter, her eyes widening in surprise. The next second, Fu Yan’s grasp around Bai Yue Li’s waist tightened, their bodies pressing intimately as if wanting to blend into each other's being. Restrained yet yearning. Once more, the demonic pool hosted a scene brimming with passion. ... After regaining their composure, several days passed. Fu Yan personally assisted Bai Yue Li in dressing with the last piece of sheer garment, fastening her final lock of hair, before sitting down beside her. “They say dual cultivation is good; now I see what they mean,” Fu Yan chuckled, looking at Bai Yue Li. Indeed, dual cultivation differed from ordinary methods, offering not only an easy boost in cultivation but also an indescribably exquisite experience. At Fu Yan’s words, Bai Yue Li's ears remained slightly flushed though her expression regained its usual calmness. She paused before responding, "Though dual cultivation is easy, it still requires..." "I know," Fu Yan interjected, holding Bai Yue Li's hand, her eyes filled with tender affection. "Next time... we can try soul cultivation," she suggested. During dual cultivation, they could merge their divine consciousness and soul. Finally, Fu Yan added, “I need to ascend to immortality before the Immortal Sect’s Grand Ceremony, and only you can help me now. Once I locate Lu Xiao Wen and settle the matters at Shuanghua Palace, let’s seclude ourselves for cultivation.” "…" Bai Yue Li looked up, meeting Fu Yan’s innocent gaze. Despite her words being serious, Bai Yue Li couldn’t detect any gravity in Fu Yan’s expression. “Hmm.” Bai Yue Li nodded softly. At her response, Fu Yan’s smile widened, her eyes curving into crescents, and her thumb gently rubbed Bai Yue Li's palm, as if transferring all her happiness. At that moment, Bai Yue Li suddenly felt a thread of demonic energy seemingly being absorbed by Fu Yan, subtly coursing from their clasped hands into Fu Yan's sleeve. For a moment, Bai Yue Li paused slightly. “What’s wrong, Senior Sister?” Fu Yan asked, noticing Bai Yue Li’s sudden hesitance. As the demonic energy trickled to Fu Yan’s sleeve, it seemed absorbed, dissipating from Bai Yue Li’s senses. Despite a flicker of suspicion, she paid it little mind, attributing it to residual warmth from their recent dual cultivation. Furthermore, knowing Fu Yan’s advanced fourth-tier spiritual power, which rivaled her own, Bai Yue Li reasoned that it was likely just the lingering warmth of their dual cultivation. “It’s nothing,” Bai Yue Li said, lifting her gaze. “Let’s go; I'll escort you back to the Southern Domain. Lu Xiao Wen might’ve returned to Shuanghua Palace by now.” Fu Yan: “Alright, let’s go.” Inside the bag of holding, a wisp of demonic energy quietly seeped into a spirit gathering pearl, stirring with enjoyment yet still desiring more. Not nearly enough... Resolving to act, Bai Yue Li swiftly brought Fu Yan away from the demonic pool’s pinnacle. In just a few breaths, the two returned to the demon palace's rear garden. After landing, Bai Yue Li did not linger. With a swift motion, she injected her power into the teleportation array. With a familiar “buzz,” light flickered as always. When the light dispersed, they had returned to the underground chamber below the inn in the town. “Let’s go.” Bai Yue Li did not seem intent on leaving immediately but led Fu Yan outward, preparing to personally escort her back to Shuanghua Palace. Fu Yan followed willingly, letting Bai Yue Li lead them out of the town and back to the snowy peaks of Shuanghua Palace. Upon settling again, the peculiar sensation from earlier at the demonic pool returned to Bai Yue Li, acutely feeling another thread of her demonic energy being absorbed by Fu Yan. Clearly, this was no longer just residual warmth from dual cultivation. “Is your Qi Sea… capable of unconsciously absorbing demonic energy?” Bai Yue Li asked abruptly, fixing her gaze on Fu Yan. Fu Yan appeared puzzled for a moment but quickly composed herself, reassuring Bai Yue Li, “No, my Qi Sea requires conscious activation to absorb either demonic or spiritual energy…” As she finished, Fu Yan realized something was amiss and urgently looked at Bai Yue Li, inquiring, “Did I just…” “You were unconsciously absorbing my demonic energy,” Bai Yue Li articulated carefully. Though a demonic cultivator’s energy being absorbed a bit wouldn’t cause harm, the situation was undoubtedly unusual. Upon hearing this, Fu Yan released Bai Yue Li’s hand abruptly, her brow furrowing with seriousness, “My Qi Sea has been utterly calm the entire way.” If her Qi Sea had absorbed demonic energy, she should have sensed it. If it wasn't her actions, then something on Fu Yan was absorbing the demonic energy. Suspended in the air, both appeared solemn. Without delay, Fu Yan opened her mind and scanned her storage ring inside and out, finding nothing unusual. Pausing briefly, she prepared to search again when she finally detected an unfamiliar aura. The next second, Fu Yan waved her hand, and a spatial bag landed in her grasp. She exchanged a glance with Bai Yue Li, both nodding in silent agreement. “Whoosh—” Instantly, a large barrier manifested mid-air as Fu Yan made a sudden move, revealing a dark glowing spirit gathering pearl within the barrier, saturated with demonic energy. Seeing it, Fu Yan frowned, “A spirit gathering pearl?” How peculiar, when she last checked the pearl, it had been problem-free, yet now it seemed different. With a “buzz,” as if realizing it had been discovered, the pearl attempted to flee but couldn’t breach the barrier. Bai Yue Li assessed the situation with a mere glance, “A spirit gathering pearl corrupted by demonic aura turns into…” “A demonic gathering pearl,” Fu Yan concluded. Recalling the previous attack by demonic creatures on the spirit ship, Fu Yan suddenly understood, but was left incredulous over when this strange thing had latched onto her without her noticing. A wave of anxiety washed over her at the thought. "What kind of demonic creature is this?" Fu Yan questioned Bai Yue Li, but before a response could come, a powerful force erupted from the demonic gathering pearl. With a sharp "crack," the barrier shattered. Just as Fu Yan and Bai Yue Li prepared to jointly restrain the demonic gathering pearl, they simultaneously sensed something, a chill running down their spines. This force was eerily familiar to them. It was the aura of the demon spirit from the ancient forest secret realm! Identifying the demonic spirit’s tendril, both Fu Yan and Bai Yue Li felt a coldness engulfing their hands in shock, their eyes wide with disbelief. In the blink of an eye, the demonic gathering pearl shot out from the fragmented barrier. This was bad! Without a moment’s hesitation, Fu Yan and Bai Yue Li transformed into two beams of light, swiftly pursuing it. The two, along with the escaping pearl, streaked across the sky. "The demonic spirit’s thread must have clung to me and followed me here," Fu Yan realized in that moment. The demonic spirit’s power was unique; if it masked its presence completely, even someone of Fu Yan’s current strength wouldn't detect it. Bai Yue Li, regaining her composure, communicated telepathically, "It's very weak, which is why it needs a large amount of demonic energy to recover." If it weren’t so weakened, it likely wouldn’t fear them at all and wouldn’t need to flee so desperately. Recovering from the initial shock, Fu Yan breathed a slight sigh of relief and firmly stated, "It’s merely a tendril of the demonic spirit, not a true demonic spirit." The Talented Sword Immortal wouldn’t have sacrificed in vain; the true demonic spirit, along with its sword spirit, had long been banished to a void space, never to return to this world. The current tendril was but a fragment of a fragment and, even at its peak, wouldn’t present an existential threat. Yet, it couldn't be underestimated. Just as Fu Yan and Bai Yue Li pieced together the events, the demonic gathering pearl abruptly changed course. Fu Yan looked ahead, "That’s... the forbidden land of Shuanghua Palace!"