112 - Confession (Ying Cheng)

Chapter 112: Blood Refining Qi Xian Qing and Yan Jue were very close to each other. She lowered her gaze and looked at her, her eyes carrying a hint of desire that was hard to discern. The aura of the celestial spirit body lingered at the tip of her nose. As Yan Jue met Qi Xian Qing's gaze, she once again truly felt that things weren't quite the same as before. It was different from when she was a little fox, and different from when she was a fellow disciple. Yan Jue slowly lifted her eyelids, "You said, what other ways are there to gather energy?" Qi Xian Qing didn't speak, her eyes slightly curved as she leaned down and gently kissed her lips. The room was very quiet, with dim candlelight. Yan Jue instinctively closed her eyes, her heart pounding like a drum. A bit of sweat beaded on Qi Xian Qing's fair forehead, and after pressing against Yan Jue's soft lips, she didn't move at all. Yan Jue waited for a few moments, realizing something was amiss. Qi Xian Qing simply didn't know how... Yan Jue stayed still for a while longer, amused by Qi Xian Qing's awkwardness. Who would have thought the renowned Dream Heng Immortal could be so clumsy at times? Yan Jue reopened her eyes and reached up to pat Qi Xian Qing on the back. Qi Xian Qing was taken aback as Yan Jue flipped herself up and quickly pinned her beneath her in an instant. Usually so tough, her body now lay limp like water. Yan Jue lowered her head, her nose lightly brushing Qi Xian Qing's. Qi Xian Qing tilted her head up to look at Yan Jue, her throat moving gently, and a flush creeping across her cheeks. She had never experienced anything like this before, her body turning soft unconsciously in front of Yan Jue. As Yan Jue leaned closer, Qi Xian Qing's mind went completely blank, her movements awkward. Pinned beneath her, Qi Xian Qing frowned slightly, as her clear and beautiful peach blossom eyes grew wet and misty. A devastating beauty. Outside, footsteps sound faintly, likely Yun Zhen returning and passing by their room. Yan Jue swallowed, attempting to pull away, but Qi Xian Qing held the back of her head firmly in place. Yan Jue's waist softened instinctively. Qi Xian Qing was learning so quickly. The pure yang energy derived from such intimate contact left Yan Jue's mind blank, her entire being exhilarated. Kissing exchanged more pure yang energy than mere teasing, leaving Yan Jue trembling blissfully, her tail inadvertently snapping out. Qi Xian Qing suddenly felt a flutter, a thought flickering through her mind, and she couldn't resist reaching out to stroke that fluffy tail. With that stroke, Yan Jue almost exploded, her fair cheeks flushed, her tail tightly wound around Qi Xian Qing's hand. The pure yang energy from the celestial spirit body slowly infused into her meridians, melding with her seamlessly. Gradually, the simple kissing veered towards the brink of losing control. In the end, Yan Jue couldn't help but bite down on Qi Xian Qing's neck. Qi Xian Qing gritted her teeth, holding Yan Jue's waist, allowing her actions. Yan Jue's fair cheeks glowed red as she propped herself up on the bed, "Elder Sister." Qi Xian Qing barely opened her eyes, covering Yan Jue's mouth with her hand, "What should you call me?" Yan Jue froze, blushing fiercely. She and Qi Xian Qing locked eyes for a moment before she looked away. Qi Xian Qing embraced her, not allowing her to move. Yan Jue closed her eyes, gritting her teeth for a long moment, and gave in, whispering softly, "Xian Qing." Qi Xian Qing's eyes curved into a smile, her expression as intoxicating as a spring breeze, "Ah Jue." By the time she realized, Yan Jue had already turned into a little red fox, curled up like a baby in Qi Xian Qing's arms, her six fluffy tails swaying behind her as she nibbled on Qi Xian Qing's fingers. Yan Jue buried her head deep, Qi Xian Qing's embrace soft and gentle. So gentle that Yan Jue feared waking up to discover it had all been a dream. Qi Xian Qing withdrew her hand, wiping her fingers clean with a handkerchief, then ruffled the little fox's head. "Why do you always like chewing on people's hands?" Qi Xian Qing asked. The little fox didn't understand, continuing to gnaw cheerfully on Qi Xian Qing's hand. Qi Xian Qing sat up, hooked her finger around a ball and tossed it, Yan Jue's eyes immediately lit up as she eagerly fetched the ball and brought it back. Qi Xian Qing tossed it again, and she ran off to fetch it once more. The ball softly hit the wall, making a tiny noise. Concerned about disturbing Yun Zhen, Qi Xian Qing tossed it gently. The little fox's feet moved softly too. Eventually, the little fox grew tired and curled into a ball, lying in Qi Xian Qing's lap, yawning lazily. Under the dim candlelight, the little fox's fur was bright red, her ears black and glistening, her belly snow white. Such striking colors, a rare trait among the red fox clan. Qi Xian Qing leaned against the headboard, her pale fingers continually playing with the fox's ears. Sensitive as they were, the fox's ears flicked back and forth, tickled and unable to sleep, her hind legs kicking restlessly, a soft little growl of protest in her throat. With a playful glint in her eyes, Qi Xian Qing pinched its mouth, lifting it slightly to reveal a row of little teeth. Yan Jue grew genuinely annoyed, curling into a ball and ignoring her. - The next day, Qi Xian Qing awoke early. After freshening up in the cleansing room, she walked out slowly, seeing the azure curtains on the bed swaying in the breeze, the room still dim. Yan Jue was still asleep. Hearing footsteps, she peeked her head from beneath the silky quilt, her slanted phoenix eyes narrowing to slits as she gazed steadily at her. Yan Jue moved her lips slightly, her voice a little hoarse, "You're just leaving." Qi Xian Qing chuckled, approaching the bedside and leaning down to look at her. Yan Jue only murmured casually, quickly closing her eyes to continue sleeping, but as a soft touch fell on her lips, her whole body tensed, instinctively responding to it. Qi Xian Qing kissed her naturally, having apparently learned by now. Qi Xian Qing had somehow mastered the art of a good morning kiss with no instruction... Satisfied, Yan Jue closed her eyes. Qi Xian Qing lightly pat her slightly flushed cheek, "Morning." Yan Jue locked eyes with her for a moment, then lazily replied, "Morning." Her skin seemed almost translucent in the sunlight, and when she smiled, her thick black eyelashes cast shadows, with a faint dimple on her left cheek. Qi Xian Qing etched this image deeply into her memory, then walked to the window, climbing out. ... After Qi Xian Qing left, Yan Jue lay in bed a while longer before getting up. Once freshened up and stepping out of her room, she heard knocking from outside. A maid in a light blue cross-collared dress stood at the door, saying that Liang Cheng Zhu of Feidu City had invited Qi Xian Qing and Yan Jue, two immortal lords from Wulong Sect, to visit her residence. Yan Jue and Qi Xian Qing went out, roaming the increasingly bustling morning streets before soon arriving at the mayor's mansion. Upon seeing Qi Xian Qing and Yan Jue, the mayor immediately stood up and bowed, "Immortal lords." She offered a grand courtesy, almost kneeling completely. Yan Jue hurriedly helped her up, "No need for such formalities, Mayor." The mayor was a beauty, her skirt a delicate hue like morning clouds, capped with a snow-white feather robe, enhancing her frail appearance. Qi Xian Qing got straight to the point, "Mayor Liang, as the season when Bixian Grass wilts is approaching, we wish to borrow your Ri Yue Shou. Would the mayor do us the honor of granting us use?" The two had indeed intended to borrow the Ri Yue Shou and seized this opportunity to ask. The mayor smiled weakly, "Having been imprisoned by that tiger demon for days, I thought I was doomed. I am endlessly grateful to you immortals for saving me and don’t know how to thank you." "How could I refuse to lend the Ri Yue Shou?" The mayor then had someone bring out the Ri Yue Shou. Inside its iron cage, the white creature slept lazily. "Immortal lords, feel free to take the Ri Yue Shou and seek the Bixian Grass outside the city," she said. After thanking the mayor, Qi Xian Qing glanced back as they exited. The mayor was fiddling with a feather robe, a deep worry etched between her brows. Qi Xian Qing and Yan Jue led the Ri Yue Shou to the outskirts of Feidu City. A servant respectfully bowed to them, then opened the iron cage restraining the Ri Yue Shou. With the cage open, the Ri Yue Shou walked out. Seemingly inherent to this season, seeking Bixian Grass was instinctual for the Ri Yue Shou. To the creature, consuming the Bixian Grass not only enhances its cultivation but also stores enough spiritual power to last through winter. Once out of the cage, the snow-white cat began searching all around. Yan Jue quietly followed it, watching as it quickly located a stalk of grass. The grass had a faint green hue, looking quite ordinary. At a closer look, it somewhat resembled bird feathers, seemingly indistinct from ordinary plants. The Ri Yue Shou opened its mouth wide, swallowing the grass whole. Slowly chewing the celestial grass, it appeared in pure bliss. Once swallowed, it snapped open its eyes, its heterochromatic gaze glowing softly, excitedly darting around. Finding another stalk of grass with ease. Yan Jue quickly darted in, picking it up, as the Ri Yue Shou complained and squirmed in her embrace. Qi Xian Qing drew her celestial sword, Zhu Ying, swiftly harvesting the Bixian Grass. With the sect leader's instruction to gather materials, they needed more than just one or two. Yan Jue released the Ri Yue Shou, and it plunged into the underbrush to continue its search. Soon, they found five or six more stalks of similar grass. Each stalk grew in extremely secluded areas, and without the Ri Yue Shou, they wouldn't have been confident in locating them. The Ri Yue Shou was busy for the better part of the day and didn't get to eat a single stalk before being placed back into its cage by a servant. It grumbled in frustration, squirming restlessly in Yan Jue's arms. Yan Jue found this amusing and took out a Bixian Grass they had found earlier, offering it to the Ri Yue Shou through the cage bars. Its eyes lit up as it snatched the Bixian Grass, quickly chomping it down. Once it swallowed the Bixian Grass, it started crashing around excitedly, pacing in circles within the cage, looking somewhat bewildered. Watching the Ri Yue Shou’s behavior, Yan Jue fell into deep thought. Qi Xian Qing, who had been observing her, asked with concern, "Sister, why so silent? Is there something wrong with the material?" Yan Jue stood up, "I've heard of a kind of grass called Schizonepeta, which makes cats exceedingly excited after consumption." "This Bixian Grass seems to induce a trance-like state in beasts." Qi Xian Qing quickly grasped Yan Jue's meaning, "Are you saying that the elixir the sect leader is crafting could be problematic?" Yan Jue nodded slightly, "It's just a conjecture." - When they returned the Ri Yue Shou to the mayor’s mansion, the mayor was still wearing her white feather cloak, sitting by the window in a daze. The mayor bowed to Qi Xian Qing and Yan Jue, "Thank you again, immortal lords." Qi Xian Qing said, "I have something to ask, Mayor." The mayor raised her eyes, "Please go ahead." Qi Xian Qing continued, "Your cultivation has reached the Fifth Stage, which should prevent you from being easily controlled by a tiger demon." "Moreover, the mayor's mansion is filled with formations. If the tiger demon wanted to make a move without anyone knowing, it would require your compliance." After Qi Xian Qing finished, the room fell silent. Liang Cheng Zhu looked out the window with a distressed expression, suddenly overwhelmed by agony. Her fingers unconsciously clenched the feather cloak in her arms, "Not to hide anything from you, being imprisoned by the tiger demon this time was indeed due to some... hardships." "Would the two of you be willing to speak with me privately?" Qi Xian Qing, familiar with such situations during her travels, understood that dealing with one matter often led to many others. After all, being part of the righteous Wulong Sect, her duty was to eliminate evil and uphold justice. "Of course." Qi Xian Qing and Yan Jue followed the mayor into an inner chamber, only to see her remove her white feather cloak and kneel down, "I wish to ask a favor of you, immortal lords." "Speak freely." The mayor caressed the feather cloak in her hands, and Yan Jue was slightly startled, realizing the mayor had been wearing it since earlier. "This is a phoenix clan's feather cloak," Qi Xian Qing observed. Her words landed like a thunderclap. The mayor clutched the cloak tightly, weakly smiling, "The immortals are knowledgeable. I won't hide anything from you." "This cloak was once worn by my wife." Liang Cheng Zhu paused, "My wife is from the phoenix clan." "Five years ago, I met her outside the city when she was still an innocent girl.” “I cherished her naivety and took her to enjoy Feidu City.” “Later, we fell in love and married within the city. It wasn't until then that I learned she was a princess of the phoenix clan.” Liang Cheng Zhu's expression suddenly darkened with sorrow. "We were very much in love, but the phoenix clan, being high-born, would never allow a princess to marry a mortal." "In time, her clan learned of her clandestine marriage. People from Luantai began pressuring her to return." "It was then I realized she had been betrothed to someone from her clan five years ago," Liang Cheng Zhu said. Yan Jue couldn't help but ask, "Did your wife want to return?" Liang Cheng Zhu shook her head, "She disliked the engagement. She never agreed to her clan's demands, but one morning, she vanished from my side without a trace." "There was just this feather cloak left by the bed. She never returned." The mayor continued, "I don't know what to do." "My first thought was that the phoenix clan sent someone to take her away." "I'm merely a mortal; we could never be together without phoenix blood between us." "The tiger demons claimed to have a celestial medicine." "They said they had stolen a phoenix embryo from beneath Luantai, and if I consumed it, I could be reborn with phoenix lineage." "But after ingesting it, I became dazed, allowing them to succeed in their plot." Phoenix embryo. Yan Jue was momentarily taken aback. After listening to Liang Cheng Zhu's story, Yan Jue asked softly, "What do you plan to do now?" The mayor responded, "I want to send a letter to Luantai." "I need to know if my wife is safe." "After all, her departure was so sudden..." "Unfortunately, I don't know any trustworthy practitioners who could deliver the letter. If I went myself, the phoenix clan wouldn’t receive me." Tears welled up as she continued, "If the two immortal lords could deliver a letter to Luantai, I would be forever grateful and offer generous rewards." "No need for that," Qi Xian Qing replied quietly, "It's a small favor, coincidentally, we were planning to visit Luantai." "We'd be happy to deliver the letter." Before they knew it, it was dusk. Liang Cheng Zhu ground ink and wrote a lengthy letter, handing it to them with gratitude. "Thank you, immortal lords." - After settling everything in Feidu City, Yan Jue, Qi Xian Qing, and Yun Zhen returned to Wulong Mountain together. Despite the interference from the two tiger demons, the quest for Bixian Grass went relatively smoothly. Yan Jue gained much from the experience. ... As Yan Jue arrived at Bingtao Source, she felt slightly embarrassed. Previously, she visited in her fox form, but today she was coming as a human. Were it not for Qi Xian Qing insisting she come, she would have refused. Thinking this, Yan Jue's steps quickened. In a few strides, she was through the picket fence of Bingtao Source, spotting Qi Xian Qing reading at the desk. "You’re here?" Qi Xian Qing looked up with a smile in her eyes. Yan Jue bounded in front of her, "Sister, why haven't you contacted me?" Qi Xian Qing laughed, glancing away, "I just asked you to come yesterday, didn't I? It’s your own shyness holding you back." Had Yan Jue still possessed her tails, they would surely be wagging to the sky by now. Afternoon slipped in swiftly. Yan Jue, with her collar loosened, draped over her shoulder, sat at the door glancing at the peach trees in the courtyard, "Those peach trees must be ripening soon." Now an inner disciple, her attire had changed slightly. She still wore narrow sleeves and tied pants, but her robe was now a shade of green, the fabric richer than before, bestowing upon her an aura of youthful energy and spirit. Qi Xian Qing leaned on her hand, "Yes, I calculated that the Wanxian Gathering isn't far off." Yan Jue nodded, contemplating recent events with furrowed brows. It was a peculiar feeling. Usually, she spent this time alone in her small dormitory. But now she was with Qi Xian Qing. Any thought that crossed her mind, she could share it directly with Qi Xian Qing. The sect leader planned to craft an elixir for immortality, and they had unknowingly collected two ingredients. Mermaid pearls, Bixian Grass. As the chief disciple of Wulong Sect, Qi Xian Qing bore immense responsibility and expectations. When the sect leader requested materials, it pertained to the entire sect's prestige and fate. Qi Xian Qing was determined to gather them all, no matter what it took. Only by collecting them could they uncover the sect leader's true intentions behind gathering these materials. The remaining items: phoenix embryo, xiangjing grass, and the heart of the nine-tailed fox demon. In Feidu City, they had gotten an early glimpse of the phoenix embryo. According to Liang Cheng Zhu, consuming it could enhance one's innate power. Coupled with Bixian Grass that drove beasts mad and mermaid pearls that caused uncontrollable weeping upon ingestion... Yan Jue began to piece together the puzzle in her mind. Of course, this was merely her speculation. They needed all the ingredients to confirm her suspicions. Having promised Liang Cheng Zhu to send the letter, they set their next destination as Luantai. Another matter was that during this outing, Yan Jue personally heard from San Niang on how to practice the art of blood refining. In this world, every aspect of a living being's body could be cultivated. Bones, spiritual consciousness, flesh. Even blood. The practice of blood refining, when mastered to a high degree, not only accelerates the recovery of blood loss but may even become a formidable defense technique. The reason Yan Jue had suffered severe spiritual power loss from excessive blood loss at Mount Fuxian was due to her neglect of blood refining training. The afternoon sun was gentle, nature serene. Qi Xian Qing sat casually at the desk, her head bowed over her book. Yan Jue lifted her head and called out abruptly, "Qing Qing." Qi Xian Qing's brow furrowed slightly, her fingers instinctively clutching the edge of her robe. "What is it?" Yan Jue had never called her this before. In Qi Xian Qing's memory, no one had ever addressed her in that manner. Yan Jue continued, "There's something I don't understand." Qi Xian Qing's eyes wandered briefly before she rested her pen against her chin and nodded, "Go on." Yan Jue kneeled on the floor, earnestly asking, "I've heard that the art of blood refining is extremely sinister, typically practiced only by demonic cultivators. But can ordinary practitioners also cultivate it?" The room fell silent. Qi Xian Qing pondered for a moment before responding, "The art of blood refining is vast and profound. Commonly, it's done through blood sacrifices, using living beings as offerings to enhance the power of one's own blood." She then shifted her tone, "But there are more conventional methods of blood refining." "For instance, elemental blood refining, incorporating the five elements from the atmosphere into one's blood to bestow it with great offensive power." Yan Jue paused, "If I have an ice spirit root, I could merge 'ice' from the air into my blood." Yan Jue had always grasped things quickly. Qi Xian Qing smiled, "Precisely." "In Wulong Sect's library, there are books dedicated to this type of cultivation. For basic blood refining, I recommend the 'Bloodline Heart Method,' a manual on righteous blood refining written a thousand years ago by Fire Cloud Lord. If you're interested, you can study it." She continued, "If you have any questions, feel free to ask me." - Yan Jue took some time to visit the library. Having spent recent days in the area below the mountain, it had been a long while since Yan Jue last visited the library. It was just as she remembered, mostly empty. She navigated the shelves adeptly, climbing a ladder to reach a pristine book on the top shelf. Clearly unread, it was wrapped in light blue silk. Yan Jue unwrapped the cover to reveal the title 'Bloodline Heart Method' emblazoned in large characters. After flipping through a few pages, she settled into a cushioned chair in one of the library's alcoves, beginning her practice according to the book's instructions. Yan Jue had an extraordinary aptitude for cultivation and quickly memorized the foundational concepts, transcribing six pages of notes. She then took these notes and headed to the cold pool. The border of the cold pool was exceptionally quiet. Now in the heart of winter, a thin layer of ice had formed across its surface. It was dusk, and the sky was painted with vibrant hues, creating an ethereal ambiance. Seated cross-legged at the water's edge, Yan Jue focused on the movement of elements in the air with each breath. With her mind settled, she felt the icy blue demon core within spinning wildly, waves of spiritual energy rippling outwards, her blood coursing rapidly through her meridians. The water and earth elements in the air slowly fused into her bloodstream. Perhaps it was just a misperception, but Yan Jue felt her cultivation progressing unusually swiftly this time. The celestial spirit body, favored by nature, flourished, even without drinking Qi Xian Qing's blood — simply drawing in her yang energy already enhanced Yan Jue's vitality. Yan Jue suddenly opened her eyes, a silent smile spreading across her face. She would need to find a day to properly thank Qi Xian Qing.