87 - Divine Mastering Dragon System

**Chapter 87: Ling Guan** After leaving the Misty Gorge, an endless plain spread out before them, providing an open view that eased the spirit. However, it was clear that this sense of freedom couldn't offset Qin Miao's disappointment. It was as if one of the threads that had been keeping his hopes aloft had snapped, leaving him disoriented, simmering with unease and an unwelcome fear: What if things continued to progress against his wishes? He realized with near panic that in his previous life, despite numerous setbacks, events had ultimately aligned with his desires. Yet now, everything was going awry. Subconsciously, Qin Miao had begun to put stock in the prophecy of the Heavenly Destiny Sect, which only added to his jealousy and sorrow. It was unclear whether Huang Ye genuinely found his injured leg a burden or if it was just an excuse, but she had bluntly expressed her wish for Qin Miao to join Zheng Yi Wen's group instead. Of course, Qin Miao couldn't agree to that. Not only because his primary objective was to obtain the Cloak of Clouds, but also due to the friction with the other male disciples; joining that group was out of the question. Huang Ye was unyieldingly determined and only agreed to take him after much pleading, as if she had no better reason to ditch him, especially since Zheng Yi Wen also rejected him, using the excuse that they couldn't afford to support an injured person. Qin Miao felt she grudgingly accepted to bring him along mainly due to Zheng Yi Wen's objections. The young man shook his head, telling himself gravely that such a thing was impossible. Surely, Huang Ye had developed a secret affection for him, and if it weren't for that annoying little kid's interference, things should have been as affectionate as in their previous life. When they departed, Huang Ye had stated that since he insisted on coming, they would not slow down to accommodate him. Yet, on the road, they moved at a stop-and-go pace, a testament to her hardened exterior and soft heart. If Huang Ye could hear his thoughts, she surely would roll her eyes and question whether he was being overly self-indulgent. Even someone as dense as her remembered how senior mentors, who treated her like their own daughter, had cautioned her about how enticing the Heavenly Gender's physique could be to some. Huang Ye wasn't foolish; she genuinely regarded her fellow disciples as siblings, even Qin Miao, whom she disliked, she saw as an unlikable little brother. Yet her genuine affection couldn't seem to exchange for goodwill, and it slowly dawned on Huang Ye that in the eyes of some, no matter how sincere she was or how formidable her cultivation was, she was seen as a woman who could be taken advantage of. To say she wasn't disappointed would be false, but Huang Ye didn't have the luxury to waste emotions on such petty matters. Her concern turned to the sudden frailty of He He. Initially just low-spirited, Huang Ye thought she was merely uncomfortable from the body's recent changes. However, instead of recovering, He He grew increasingly weak. She no longer exerted confident control, looking sickly instead. Whether it was due to discomfort, her usual charming affectation seemed less prominent. Huang Ye found her a bit irritable. Normally, she disdained He He's penchant for feigning obedience to curry favor, but seeing He He visibly distressed, worry crept in—had that dog Zheng Yi Wen fed her something harmful to her? But they were in a secret realm. Where could she find a doctor for her junior sister? Even if there was an ailment, she couldn't diagnose it. In He He's mind, most love potions shouldn't affect her; indeed, if there were one that could, it would pique interest, but in these times, her body was destroyed, much of her powers gone, leaving her vulnerable to potent restoration. Consuming it amid a bodily reconstruction led to bizarre anomalies, sparking phantom pains in her half-formed body. Suppressing her true form beneath the skin to prevent rapid growth depleted her energy, leaving no patience for niceties with these two. Huang Ye, the fool who got her into this mess, didn’t deserve it! He He batted away her senior sister's persistent hand that had been checking her forehead temperature, demanding, "What are you doing?" The girl awkwardly murmured, "You had a fever last night. I'm checking if it's gone today." That fever was your fault. He He rolled her eyes at her. Although outwardly human, internally she was of the scaly lineage, relying on her own consciousness to regulate her body temperature to avoid arousing suspicion. The warmth Huang Ye noticed was probably an effect of her current life as a human. She must be the strangest creature alive, further aggravated by the substandard love potion Zheng Yi Wen had procured. He He detected a lingering herbal scent on Huang Ye, fragrant yet irritating in a deeper sense, inciting an urge to pummel this stupid senior sister. The small bump on the back of her neck seemed like a beast's scent gland used for marking, which He He despondently considered a lowly regression. She should have risen beyond such biological cycles, with no need for these reproductive traits. "Stay away from me," He He stated with a hint of hostility, disliking the similar scent emanating from Huang Ye. He He's scent was indistinct but present, faintly surrounding her due to her control, far more refined than Huang Ye's unguarded aroma. The two maintained a careful distance. Over two days, both had honed their scent control skills, until reaching Ling Guan Manor, where the labyrinth at the deity's residence entrance trapped them, prompting He He to again shoo Huang Ye away. Ling Guan Manor was a relic from the primordial era, majestically established on the plateau, previously a sect's location, it naturally did not allow intruders to waltz in and benefit freely. Its courtyard used a meticulously arranged Eight Trigrams scheme, where every plant, pond, and rockery formed part of a great labyrinth. Unlike phantom formations sustained by spiritual stones, this labyrinth was purely crafted from optical illusions, creating a spectral wall, even more troublesome than spiritual formations, as the latter could be pierced with spiritual awareness. Underneath Ling Guan Manor lay an anti-flight array, disabling spells that allowed flight or elevated spirit weapons, grounding the trio. The labyrinth wasn't irregular, escaping wasn't hard; the challenge lay in finding the right path into Ling Guan's manor. The complexity of the labyrinth was why this treasure haven remained untapped by disciples through the ages. Amongst daily lessons at Jade Azure Mountain's main peak, they taught techniques for breaking labyrinths, yet He He concluded that Huang Ye surely hadn't been paying attention. Otherwise, how could they have led them astray in the formation for half the day! He He sighed quietly; the art of geomancy was naturally challenging, with potential traps, even knowledgeable disciples could find themselves in danger. Thus, at Jade Azure Mountain, younger or weaker disciples were temporarily barred from learning to prevent recklessness due to lack of power. She understood a bit, not fully skilled, yet sufficient to discern the safe path in the current formation. Her dilemma was hinting this to Huang Ye without drawing suspicion... Just as He He was about to speak, she watched Huang Ye take a deep breath and then slam a fist into the ground. A resounding crash followed; gray bricks sunk down, cracking into spider web patterns as dust billowed upward. A layer of visible pale golden electricity spread across the ground in all directions. The girl who struck stood with a half-kneeling posture, eyes slightly closed, hand on the surface, feeling the vibrations of the thunder energy's return. The thunder from a Golden Core cultivator's strike traveled across the earth, causing vibrations as it met external spiritual energy. Trap-laden and perilous, the paths of death, fear, and harm reacted; while the paths of balance, song, and viewing—the avenues out of the manor—behaved differently due to being outside Ling Guan Manor's domain, showing no response. Qin Miao was silent for a moment. In a previous life, they had split due to an unusual illusion once inside Ling Guan Manor; a senior sister then swiftly identified the correct path, leaving no part for Huang Ye to play. This was his first encounter with such a brutally simple, yet clever method. Left momentarily speechless, He He finally lamented, "... Do you detest thinking so much?" If only she'd used this method sooner, clearly this was Huang's attempt at cheating after failing with her intellect. Huang Ye glared at her, believing she'd found a convenient way to identify the safe path, baffled by the insolence. Though she indeed dreaded complex problems, she wasn't truly a fool, so what misunderstanding did He He have about her? All three paths led to Ling Guan Manor, though to different areas. Qin Miao felt slightly reassured when Huang Ye chose the path aligned with his past life. The choice was influenced by a simplified treasure map marked on the map given by Xiang Shi Yan, indicating this route—most detailed for the protagonist in the original work. Before stepping into the estate, Qin Miao awkwardly suggested, "It's said that inside Ling Guan Manor, there are various illusions. It would be troublesome if we got separated. Although it might be presumptuous... Senior Sister, could we hold hands?" Apart from Qin Miao, neither of the other two seemed keen on holding hands with their companions. He He suspected Qin Miao wanted to take advantage of the situation, considering he had previously been involved in drugging someone. How could anyone think well of him? Moreover, standing next to Huang Ye, He He could catch an overwhelming scent of herbal aroma that was too intense. It would be better to keep some distance—for the sensory comfort of both parties. Without a word, she pulled out a golden rope from her storage talisman. "Since Brother knows it's presumptuous, this rope will suffice. No need for such intimacy." Huang Ye nodded in agreement. A flush of embarrassed anger crept across Qin Miao's face. In his past life, Huang Ye hadn't reacted like this when he asked. Perhaps it was He He's presence that made her shy... or maybe, in this life, Huang Ye had no interest in someone who wasn't destined. Suddenly feeling breathless, he hastily forced this thought from his mind. Unable to bear the discrepancy, he had no choice but to deceive himself. The three held onto the golden rope as they cautiously entered Ling Guan Manor. Upon entry, a force exerted a pull on them, as if trying to draw each in a different direction. However, the force was not strong and quickly dissipated. When the layered illusions cleared, a courtyard with gilded roofs appeared before them. This place had once been the headquarters of a sect. Though much of its ancient grandeur lingered, decay had slowly eroded its former glory, rendering the exquisite, abandoned ruins somber. He He's expression shifted. A sensation akin to the bizarre feeling of passing Bai Jing Huan a few days earlier instantly tensed her senses, leaving no trace of her previous lethargy. A part of her was here. **Author's Note:** Huang Ye in the current setting: A sports student not great at academics. I’m updating daily today just to share the speechless events of yesterday, April 12. 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