102 - Confession (Ying Cheng)

Chapter 102: Fear Yan Jue was momentarily stunned, unable to immediately comprehend what San Niang was saying. Lu Yan Shuang wasn't particularly surprised either. It was normal for the little princess to be unaware since she left the Ghost Mansion at such a young age. With patience, Lu Yan Shuang explained to her the physiological traits of the fox tribe. Like all canine species under the sky, foxes also have mating seasons. During these times, many things happen... Yan Jue's ears instantly turned crimson. No wonder she had been feeling inexplicably fatigued lately; it was because of this. She had assumed the fox tribe only had a regular biological cycle. Lu Yan Shuang warned, "During those times, it's not easy to handle, often attracting many male foxes—it’s not uncommon. Just be careful." Yan Jue frowned, patiently listening. "How can it be resolved?" Lu Yan Shuang replied, "Naturally, by finding someone with an abundance of yang energy to relieve it." As she spoke, Lu Yan Shuang suddenly recalled something, her expression turning slightly sour. "But that’s just wishful thinking. Given the current tension between the demon and immortal realms, the demonic tribe should keep a low profile. It’s best not to provoke mortals, or the immortal sects will use it against the fox tribe." "Those humans value their yang energy above all else, so they won’t easily give it up." Yan Jue fell silent for a long time. Recently, she had been dreaming of the same person every night. During the most vulnerable mating season, dreaming about Qi Xian Qing was not a good sign. San Niang, aware of her embarrassment, didn't press further. After all, the princess was still too young. When Yan Jue was small, she clung to her often. But as she grew, they had less and less contact because, like all growing children, she turned rebellious. Back when Yan Jue eloped with that boy from the Chu family, San Niang was the first to object. Yet the child ran off with a human regardless. Lu Yan Shuang engaged Yan Jue in further conversation. Yan Jue listened and marveled silently at how fortunate the original owner's life was. It seemed the elders of the Ghost Mansion fox tribe had all been fond of her. Such a pity it was squandered by the original owner herself. Yan Jue remained mostly quiet, as if Lu San Niang was accustomed to doing the talking. Changing the subject, San Niang asked, "Which realm have you reached now?" Yan Jue replied, "The Fifth Realm, the Demon Core Realm." Hearing this, San Niang couldn't help but feel relieved. Heaven knew Yan Jue was a wild child, uninterested in learning, barely recognizing words. It was unexpected that leaving home would change her so much. Letting children out occasionally seems to indeed be beneficial. San Niang retrieved something from her storage ring and handed it to Yan Jue. Yan Jue was taken aback. It was a beautiful jade emitting a chilly aura. Under the dim candlelight, the jade shone moon-white, with wisps of cotton-like fog swirling within. The jade nested in her palm as if a mysterious coolness seeped through her body. San Niang said, "This is called Ice Jade, your father asked me to bring it to you. He mentioned if you didn’t return, this could lure you back." Yan Jue was speechless. The jade was evidently precious; just holding it, one could feel its overflowing spiritual energy. San Niang added, "He dotes on you regardless, so you might as well use it." Yan Jue remembered something and inquired, "Last time, when you were at the Myriad Demon Pavilion, you advised me not to return to the Ghost Mansion, but to first go to…" She furrowed her brows, hesitating, "Lu…" Lu Yan Shuang nodded, her long fox eyes naturally squinting, "Oh, you remember. If you return, avoid the Ghost Mansion for now. Your father is angry. Go to Lu Wu first, or come to me. It’ll provoke your father enough for him to come find you himself." "Your father, with his temperament, will surely make you kneel on a washboard if you return." "If you visit Lu Wu, the Lao Tai Jun will be delighted." Lu Yan Shuang smiled, "Lu Wu Mountain is nestled in the Jiangnan water town, quite close by." "Okay," Yan Jue nodded. "I’ll remember." Lu Yan Shuang sighed, "Jue Jue, you know the fox tribe's situation is extremely precarious. Your father, despite his bravery, lacks the bloodline of the Nine-Tailed Fox, making it hard to convince our kind. Many are eager to usurp him." "You have the pure-blood of the Nine-Tailed Fox. If you return and diligently cultivate, you can lead the fox tribe." Before San Niang could finish, Yan Jue's pupils contracted sharply. Her number of tails had indeed been growing quickly. Yan Jue had long suspected if the original owner was a Nine-Tailed Fox. And it turned out to be true... --- At the inn. Qi Xian Qing knelt, watching Yun Zhen cast her spell intently. Seated with her legs crossed, Yun Zhen performed a hand seal, invoking the Soul Summoning Banner. Beneath its snowy white fabric dangled dark red ribbons dancing with the breeze. The intricate sigils on the banner faintly shimmered under the candle's glow. Yun Zhen noted, "Logically, when a soul is expelled during possession, it shouldn’t so easily vanish. Besides, the sect leader’s soul is of an eighth-realm master. He undoubtedly has means of self-preservation. He couldn’t have survived thousands of years otherwise." The Soul Summoning Banner swayed as if animated. Qi Xian Qing slightly opened her eyes, observing the blue light encircling the banner, undulating like mist before suddenly halting. Guided by the Soul Summoning Banner, locating a soul is typically exact. However, the Soul Summoning Banner is long lost. The only known intact one is rumored to be held by the demon tribe. Since childhood, Qi Xian Qing had admired Yun Zhen as her mentor, as she knew many experts from different fields from the time she could remember. This exposure greatly benefited Qi Xian Qing’s growth. Yun Zhen closed her eyes again, "The sect leader's soul is at the Wu Long Men." Qi Xian Qing was startled. The sect leader’s soul remained intact, still within Wu Long Men. Could it be it inhabited Mu Zhong Zi’s body at Wu Long Men? The Soul Summoning Banner’s results are highly accurate. By logic, there should be no mistake. Yun Zhen couldn't have summoned the wrong soul. Could it be Mu Zhong Zi hadn’t been possessed? Yun Zhen reopened her eyes, deep in thought. The light of the Soul Summoning Banner extinguished completely. Yun Zhen yawned lazily, "Let’s end for today. Without definite evidence, suspecting the sect leader due to personal dislike is unjust. Xian Qing, if you gather any evidence, feel free to share. I've long wanted to take him down." Qi Xian Qing respectfully bowed her head, "Thank you, Master." Turning the conversation, Yun Zhen added, "There's another matter." Qi Xian Qing adopted a more serious demeanor, ready to listen. Yun Zhen continued, "Recently, news from Qing Yun Pavilion mentioned numerous unexplained civilian disappearances in the western territories." Western territories. These words struck a chord with Qi Xian Qing. She frowned slightly, a shadow of gloom surfacing in her heart. "Wu Long Men dispatched disciples to investigate, finding clear bloodstains and signs of conflict at the sites of the disappearances." Yun Zhen stated, "Wu Long Men suspects the disturbances result from tiger demons." The room fell silent. "Those two tiger demons that captured you and locked you in their cave years ago escaped the siege of the six great sects. Their whereabouts remain unknown." "At that time, the two were only at the third realm, yet they dominated the entire western territory. Given they dare act again, they must have advanced significantly in power," Yun Zhen mused, eyes narrowing, "Such audacity." Qi Xian Qing's fingertips unknowingly dug into her leg, "Are the higher-ups considering sending disciples to discipline these tiger demons?" Yun Zhen replied, "Higher-ups plan to send you on this mission." A heavy silence ensued. "But considering your childhood experience, I quashed that decision." Qi Xian Qing was silent for a long time. During her youth, tiger demons wiped out her clan, leaving her imprisoned in a dark tiger’s lair for two whole years. That experience marked the first time her celestial spirit fully realized the malice demons held for her. From that point on, every demon she'd encountered sought her life. Yun Zhen dropped the subject, commenting casually, "Where's little Yan, that playful one, still not back yet? Didn’t even invite us along." The two left their room, seating themselves at a table made of carved huanghuali wood. Yun Zhen called the server to bring out the restaurant's special dishes, soon filling the table with exquisite dishes. Admiring a piece of salt and pepper peach slice, Yun Zhen clicked her tongue in amazement. Qi Xian Qing absentmindedly sipped her porridge. Given their proximity to Jiangnan, the food here was exceptionally refined. Yun Zhen noted, "Something’s bothering you. You don’t seem very happy." Qi Xian Qing stood and asked, "Master, there's something puzzling me." Yun Zhen replied, "Speak." Qi Xian Qing inquired, "Exactly how tempting is a celestial spirit body to demons and evil spirits?" She hesitated, "Are there any demons or evil spirits in this world not tempted by a celestial spirit body?" Yun Zhen mused, "Demons covet the celestial spirit body because your blood and heart are great supplements for their cultivation. Not to mention, for them, the flesh of a celestial spirit body is an incredibly rare delicacy." Qi Xian Qing asked, "Are all demons tempted?" Since childhood, her celestial spirit physique had gained her divine favor and many advantages in cultivation. However, the troubles brought on by this physique had never ceased. Despite having acquaintances like Yan Jue, who never seemed to lust after her celestial spirit, sometimes even Yan Jue inadvertently appeared tempted by her scent. Yun Zhen took a sip of tea and remarked, "Rather than hoping she doesn't want to tear your throat out, wish for her to restrain her desires and impulses when such urges arise." As Yun Zhen spoke, her mind conjured an image of someone else. "If that's the case, she possesses extraordinary self-control and love for you, making her a trustworthy lifelong companion." --- When Yan Jue returned to the inn with Zhu He, Yun Zhen had already retired for the night. The room was dimly lit. Yan Jue looked up and unexpectedly saw someone at the table. Qi Xian Qing sat with her eyes closed, her radiant fingers lightly stroking the hilt of an ethereal sword placed on the table. Yan Jue paused, then slowly walked over and pulled out a chair to sit across from Qi Xian Qing. Perhaps because of the many experiences they had shared, an unspoken understanding had formed between Yan Jue and Qi Xian Qing. Even when they sat in silence, neither felt awkward. Qi Xian Qing suddenly opened her eyes, her clear, almond-shaped eyes glimmered with a subtle smile. "I want to thank my junior sister for watching over my safety at Chun Man Lou." Earlier, in the private room at Chun Man Lou, Qi Xian Qing had noticed the spider silk hanging from the ceiling but made no move. She harbored a secret curiosity—wondering how much Yan Jue cared. Unexpectedly, when Yan Jue saw the poisonous spider silk, her eyes flashed with a rare anger and urgency. Qi Xian Qing, always focused solely on cultivation, had never harbored feelings for anyone. Yet now, she found herself testing her budding interest in someone. Yan Jue never disappointed her. Meeting Qi Xian Qing’s gaze, Yan Jue's heart raced. She quickly averted her eyes and tersely replied, "It was nothing." Qi Xian Qing asked, "Can I ask, how did you spot that spider silk so quickly?" Yan Jue replied, "I just happened to see it." Despite her words, her heart continued to race, and her fingers instinctively gripped her robe. Fortunately, the room was dimly lit; otherwise, Qi Xian Qing might have seen her flushed face. This journey to Wan Wu Fort had made Yan Jue acutely aware of a serious issue—she might have developed feelings for Qi Xian Qing... So stubborn. Qi Xian Qing thought. She was musing over it when Yan Jue pushed something toward her. Qi Xian Qing was slightly taken aback. It was two gourds and a roll of yellowed parchment. Yan Jue looked away, "This gourd of pills came from the black-clad person at Qing Feng Valley near Yu Xu Lake we searched. The other gourd is from the assassin at Zhan Sha Cliff. And this," she pushed the scroll over, "seems like a sword manual. I don’t need it, so see if it might be of use to you." Qi Xian Qing glanced through the "Dragon Shadow Sword Technique" scroll and was momentarily stunned. "Thank you." --- With Yun Zhen's tasks complete, they strolled Wan Wu Fort for a couple of days before heading back to the mountain. Qi Xian Qing, filled with thoughts, entered seclusion in Bing Tao Yuan once they returned to Wu Long Mountain. Bing Tao Yuan was silent and undisturbed, accompanied only by a little fox cub. It had been raining continuously for days. The cold rain pattered on leaves and grass. Lying in bed, Qi Xian Qing, eyes closed and brows furrowed, was once again trapped in deep nightmares. She had lost count of how many times she had dreamt of her childhood. In the pitch-black cellar, she chewed on the bitter herbs delivered by lesser demons. Enveloped in darkness, unable to see even a shred of hope. Living in fear of being devoured, every time she closed her eyes, memories of her parents surfaced. Of that night of impending slaughter, her mother's despairing eyes hidden in a corner. A single drop of water fell from the eaves, startling Qi Xian Qing awake from her nightmare, her clothes drenched in cold sweat. The commotion startled the furry little fox under the bed. Yan Jue sat up, her little fox head peering over the edge, her nose wrinkling as she gazed at Qi Xian Qing. Since returning from Wan Wu Fort, there had been around five or six times when Qi Xian Qing would wake up in one night. Yan Jue didn’t know what haunted her dreams. Rationally, someone as privileged as Qi Xian Qing, should have led a carefree life since childhood. What could instill such fear in her? --- The rain continued unabated. Qi Xian Qing held an umbrella as she approached Yun Zhen’s Autumn Pavilion and slipped inside. Life returned to its serene normalcy, as it was before they left the mountain. Yun Zhen lay on a beauty couch, eyes resting, and lazily yawned at the sound of footsteps, "What brings you here, Xian Qing?" Qi Xian Qing knelt and produced two items from her robe. Two gourds filled with pills. "Master, I acquired these during my recent travels, but I’m unsure of their properties and dare not use them carelessly." With a wave of Yun Zhen’s hand, the gourds flew into her grasp. She unscrewed one cap, sniffed lightly, then tossed the gourds back to Qi Xian Qing. "These are safe to use." Yun Zhen explained languidly, "One is the Tian Gang Pill, the other is the Dragon Blood Pill." Qi Xian Qing was momentarily taken aback. She had studied extensively and knew the significance of the Tian Gang Pill. Such pills, unique to the Tian Gang Shrine, are designed to enhance personal power with lasting effects. Regular consumption would lead to a substantial increase in strength over time. The Dragon Blood Pill, descended from the ancient dragon clan, dramatically boosts the flow of vital energy, significantly enhancing one's combat capacity and reaction speed during battle. Both pills were indeed valuable. Qi Xian Qing respectfully handed over the yellowed scroll next. "Master, does this sword technique have any known origins? Might it conflict with my current practice of the 'Heart of Heaven Sword Technique'?" This was the incomplete sword manual Yan Jue had given a few days ago. After reviewing it in Bing Tao Yuan, Qi Xian Qing found its power might even exceed her current practice. She attempted to integrate the two but, out of caution, sought Yun Zhen’s advice first. Yun Zhen flipped through the "Dragon Shadow Sword Technique": "Did you encounter a dragon descendant on your trip down the mountain, Xian Qing?" Qi Xian Qing clarified, "This was found on the Gu Diao demon who attempted to assassinate me that day. I’m unsure if it’s related to dragons." Yun Zhen stated, "Dragon clan's techniques are rare masterpieces. Now that you’ve obtained this manual, you should train with it." "Whether you can master even thirty percent of its potential will depend on your fortune." Her words caused Qi Xian Qing's hands to clench tighter as she knelt in respectful pose. "Master, I have another request." "Speak." "During our trip to Wan Wu Fort, you mentioned there were tiger demons causing chaos recently in the western territories. I wish to volunteer to subdue these demons and bring peace back to the people." Yun Zhen's brow raised slightly. Previously, during a Wu Long Men high council meeting, the elders unanimously intended for Qi Xian Qing to slay the demons. Yun Zhen had withheld this due to affection for her apprentice. She had not expected Qi Xian Qing to now volunteer for the task. This indeed… Since her early years on the mountain, Qi Xian Qing displayed extraordinary talent in cultivation. Recognized as a rare celestial spirit body, she had been the sect's beacon of hope. Perhaps this was influenced by her upbringing. Live up to expectations, take on responsibilities, and a willingness to save others from peril. No matter what, Qi Xian Qing had grown into a pillar of strength and hope for Wu Long Men’s new generation. After a long sigh, Yun Zhen replied, "The sect leader tasked you and Xiao Yan to gather materials, including one called ‘Bi Xian Grass’." "This celestial herb thrives in the western territories. You are to go discreetly under the guise of searching for materials to ensure your safety." Yun Zhen took an item from her qiankun bag at her waist and tossed it to Qi Xian Qing. Qi Xian Qing caught it, mildly surprised. A lake-blue jade slip. A message talisman. "Your journey will be fraught with danger." "If danger arises, crush this message talisman and I'll come to your aid immediately." Qi Xian Qing prostrated herself, lips curving into a slight smile. "Thank you, Master." --- After witnessing the magnificence of the outside world, Yan Jue felt a comforting warmth returning to Wu Long Mountain and seeing the familiar landscape. After all, it was where Yan Jue, now inhabiting the story, had always lived. Despite the outer world’s dangers, Wu Long Mountain still provided her a temporary refuge. Back on Wu Long Mountain, Yan Jue felt at ease. It was a rainy day, the sky overcast. Sitting on her dormitory bed, Yan Jue replayed San Niang’s words in her mind. "Princess, you carry the Nine-Tailed Fox bloodline; the entire fox clan awaits your return." The demon clan was continuously rallying the demon beasts, inciting them to become adversaries to the immortal sects. Currently, the only tribes not yet swayed were the lions, foxes, and turtles. However, the immortals' aggressive stance seemed clearly targeted at the demons, and total corruption seemed inevitable. The allure of these three tribes joining the demon's cause was just a matter of time. Yan Jue felt that the original owner of her body had a responsibility she had to shoulder, given that she was currently inhabiting that body. With the Nine-Tailed Fox's blood coursing through her veins, she felt she ought to return to the fox tribe when they were in grave danger. However, she was still concerned about Qi Xian Qing. Yan Jue had yet to understand what the Demon Lord intended for Qi Xian Qing, nor had she figured out why recent assassination attempts frequently targeted her. She decided that leaving, though temporary, would eventually reunite her with Qi Xian Qing as long as she kept herself alive. As Yan Jue sat on her bed, contemplating the situation, she realized that Mu Zhong Zi wanted them to gather five materials. Having already secured the Siren Pearl, she planned to find one more material with Qi Xian Qing before departing, all while assessing the Demon Lord's potential next moves. She retrieved the materials she had prepared for the Wan Wu Fort trip from her qiankun pouch. First, five pieces of Xuan charcoal. Then, a small flask of Wall Spirit Juice. Yan Jue pulled a crystal from her pocket. Inside the crystal, a flame, like mist, swirled and hovered. This was Chaos Flame, specifically used by the demon clan to refine demon cores. Yan Jue also took out a beautiful jade emitting an icy blue glow from her qiankun bag. The jade, Ice Jade, had been given to her by San Niang. Now at the Demon Core realm, her body was fully prepared, post-bone refining, to craft a superior demon core, which would be highly advantageous for her future cultivation. Yan Jue decided to refine her demon core immediately. ... However, Yan Jue soon encountered a problem. The process for refining a demon core differed from crafting a golden core used by humans. While both involve refining an external core before internalizing it, the required materials and temperature are vastly different. For instance, the Chaos Flame San Niang gave her was something human golden core refiners didn't possess. Taking these materials to the Dan Ding Pavilion to request assistance from the Wu Long Men righteous disciples to refine her demon core was not an option. Staring at the materials spread on the table, Yan Jue caught sight of a languid white fox laying on the floor out of the corner of her eye. The white fox, recovering from injuries, had grown shinier fur and now lazily rolled on the ground. "What’s troubling you, Master?" An idea suddenly flashed in Yan Jue's mind. "Can you refine a demon core?" The white fox was startled into an upright position. It had pleaded with Yan Jue to form a master-servant contract but hadn't had much opportunity to assist her, apart from spying on that old geezer, Mu Zhong Zi, in the great hall. Otherwise, it was quite bored. For Bai Hu, this was quite the adjustment since every previous master had kept it extremely busy. Bai Hu gently offered, "I have reached the late stage of the Fifth Realm, the Demon Core stage. I’ve once attempted to refine a superior demon core myself. If Master doesn’t mind, I could help with the process." Yan Jue's eyes lit up. Bai Hu continued, "But I’ll need a cauldron." Yan Jue hesitated. Where could she find a cauldron... She sat on the bed, furrowing her brows in thought until a flash of memory came to her abruptly. Yan Jue retrieved an object from her qiankun bag that she had taken from the Gu Diao demon’s possession at Chun Man Lou in Wan Wu Fort. The cauldron retrieved from Gu Diao’s belongings was a light purple-gold, intricately carved with complex sigils. Yan Jue hesitated, asking, "Is this a cauldron?" Bai Hu paused before nodding, "Yes, Master, it is indeed a cauldron. How did you come by one that's standard in our demon realm?" Yan Jue was puzzled, "Demon realm's standard cauldron?" In the matter of refining, she was completely inexperienced—even the basics were beyond her grasp. Bai Hu extended a paw, examining the cauldron briefly, "This is quite a common cauldron among our kind, known as the Nine Heavens Cauldron, made from nine pieces of black gold stone, ideal for refining demon cores." With the rainy weather outside proving perfect for alchemy, Bai Hu sat in front of the cauldron, placing the Xuan charcoal within, shattering the crystal. The mist-like flame drifted from the crystal, adhering to the Xuan charcoal. Once in contact, Chaos Flame roared to life. The cauldron base was preheated. Bai Hu then placed Ice Jade within; upon contact with the heated base, the jade turned into crystalline liquid. Pouring in Purple Spirit Dew enabled the jade to better fuse with the flame. The Chaos Flame over the charcoal flickered uneasily. Bai Hu deftly stabilized the flame with Wall Spirit Juice, balancing the cauldron's temperature. The final ingredient was the extremely cold property Snow Herb. After learning about it in Wan Wu Fort's market, as Qi Xian Qing introduced it to her, Yan Jue returned to procure it. Incorporating this herb within the cauldron not only enhances the icy potency of the demon core but also ensures a better integration with the body. Bai Hu gently fanned the flame, eyes shut to gauge the timing. Smoke filled the room. Outside, the rain slowly ceased. The alchemy concluded swiftly. Retrieving the creation from the cauldron, Bai Hu presented it to Yan Jue. "Master, this is a Demon Immaterial Core." Yan Jue was momentarily stunned. It was a pale blue pill, its glow shimmering softly under the light. Could such a concoction really not be poisonous? Despite her jest, Yan Jue picked it up, noting the curious chill of the pill refined through flames. Consuming it, Yan Jue felt a unique energy radiating from her chest. Instantly, an immense power surged, flooding her body. Yan Jue frowned, a sharp pain emanating from her dantian as something seemed to ignite in her qi sea. Her body felt on the verge of bursting from the overwhelming energy. Only now did Yan Jue fully understand why the demon clan prioritized bone-refining before core-refining. The spiritual energy enclosed within a demon core was excessively abundant; without meeting certain physical conditions, it could very well lead to destruction before full assimilation. Yan Jue's entire being burned, suffused with spiraling energy. Sweat beaded and ran down her face. She forcibly activated the "Lesser Yin Ice Spirit Technique," redirecting the rampant energy to diffuse throughout her body. Bai Hu, observing her struggle, advised, "Forcing the technique might shatter your qi sea, Master." Spending so much time with Qi Xian Qing had imbued Yan Jue with a certain fearlessness—realizing that without delving into extreme danger, the desired result was unattainable. The technique’s process continued. After an indeterminable time, as the sky darkened, Yan Jue found the ordeal excruciating. She felt as if she might faint, vision darkening, yet she had to force herself to stay upright and balance the internal energy... At this moment, having someone to protect her would have been ideal. Yan Jue collapsed onto the bed, feeling the energy relentlessly batter her qi sea, each bone in her body on the brink of disintegration. Suddenly, a knock at the door interrupted her concentration. Amid her efforts to regulate her spirit, Yan Jue's senses heightened, instantly detecting the faint celestial aura beyond the door. The scent was instantly familiar, causing both relaxation and tension. Qi Xian Qing? Why was she here now? Laying still, Yan Jue attuned her ears to detect movement outside. Thankfully, the room's alchemical fumes had dissipated over the day. Otherwise, Qi Xian Qing might become suspicious upon entering. Yan Jue sighed in relief. She really was quite clever. Composing her expression, trying to appear nonchalant, Yan Jue hurriedly crossed over to open the door. The moment her fingers brushed the handle, an explosive surge of energy erupted from her dantian. Her legs gave way instantly. As the door swung open, Qi Xian Qing stood bathed in moonlight, donned in pure white, her black peach blossom eyes slightly uplifted. No sooner had Yan Jue opened the door than she collapsed before Qi Xian Qing, ending up prostrate, "..." Qi Xian Qing was momentarily surprised, feeling a sense of déjà vu. Long ago, Yan Jue had often knelt this way before her. She had thought it odd at the time, but realized now it was an unavoidable physiological response of being a demon creature. A glint of amusement danced in Qi Xian Qing’s eyes as she faintly bent to offer her hand, "Junior Sister Yan—there's no need for such formality." Yet Yan Jue, rather than taking Qi Xian Qing's aid, couldn’t stand. Her body was limp, the energy in her dantian yet to be fully assimilated, suddenly erupting at this inopportune moment. Yan Jue let out a weak sound; her knees barely lifted off the ground before collapsing again. Qi Xian Qing sensed something amiss. "What’s wrong?" The girl’s downcast eyes assessed her, the gaze heavy and piercing, and Yan Jue’s cheeks flushed fiercely as she scrambled for an excuse, "I’m a bit unwell." It didn't matter so much, Yan Jue had lied to Qi Xian Qing more than once before. Observing her current state, Qi Xian Qing's expression turned slightly serious. She extended her cool hand, gently grasping Yan Jue's arm to help her up. "It's alright, let me help you in." Yan Jue's body was burning hot, as if set ablaze, with the energy concentrated in her dantian now rampaging uncontrollably, making it difficult for her to bear. But she had to keep it all to herself. If Qi Xian Qing found out she had just absorbed a demon core, would she even have a chance to live? Qi Xian Qing helped Yan Jue onto the bed and seated her, naturally raising the back of her hand to feel her forehead. Qi Xian Qing's hand was cool, and Yan Jue felt a wave of relief wash over her, causing her body to shiver slightly, instinctively clutching the bedsheet with her fingertips. Qi Xian Qing then turned to leave, "I'll get a healer to check your pulse." Yan Jue nearly broke out in a cold sweat at her words. If she managed to conceal her demon aura, it was usually difficult for cultivators to distinguish between demons and humans. However, taking a pulse would be a dead giveaway. The pulse of a beast and that of a human were entirely different. If Qi Xian Qing invited a healer, wouldn't her identity be exposed? Yan Jue curled up tightly in the blanket, "No!" Qi Xian Qing questioned, "Why not?" Yan Jue replied, "I’ve had a fear of doctors since I was young. Once, my mother brought a doctor to treat me, but the more he treated me, the worse it got. I’m better off without seeing a doctor." "They always prescribe medicine, and I hate taking it." Qi Xian Qing, seeing her expression, couldn't help but chuckle, reaching out to gently pinch the blanket covering Yan Jue. Who acts like this? Lying without even thinking? Yan Jue clung to the blanket tightly, resolute in her refusal to see a doctor. Qi Xian Qing stood up, "Alright then, I'll go find some medicine from the healer's place." Yan Jue immediately nodded, "Thank you, Senior Sister." "..." Yan Jue belatedly realized that her eager demeanor at the mention of Qi Xian Qing fetching medicine unraveled her earlier lie. Oh, well. Who cared. It seemed Qi Xian Qing hadn't noticed. Qi Xian Qing stepped out. Lying in bed, Yan Jue opened her eyes, gazing at the ceiling. Outside, rain had begun to fall again, a soft drizzle that was quite hypnotic. She initially tried to stay awake for Qi Xian Qing’s return, but the demon immaterial core continued its chaotic merging with her qi sea, its abundant energy weighing her down into deep weariness. Gradually, she drifted into slumber. ... When Qi Xian Qing returned, she found Yan Jue deeply asleep. The girl lay curled slightly, her snow-white inner garments gently undone at the collar, revealing her slender neck. Moonlight spilled through the window, casting a soft blush on Yan Jue's face. At some point, the Northern Haixuan Silver stopped functioning, slipping from Yan Jue’s neck, entangled around a bottle of local spirits she brought from Wan Wu Fort. An almost imperceptible demon aura lingered around Yan Jue. Qi Xian Qing understood then why, despite spending so much time with Yan Jue, she never sensed any demon energy on her. That necklace Yan Jue wore was a magical artefact that absorbed her demonic aura. Yet Yan Jue didn’t seem to realize the artefact had an unusual affinity for the smell of alcohol, ceasing to function whenever liquor was near. The aura of demon energy was faintly around the room, and with eyes closed, Qi Xian Qing felt a lurking killing intent emanating from Yan Jue. A danger only demons posed, more intense than the threat she sensed at the imperial palace in Yu Xu Sea. Qi Xian Qing thought, "..." Yan Jue had secretly refined her own core. Standing in the darkness, Qi Xian Qing was both amused and frustrated. For someone to disregard their wellbeing so completely... Refining a core was risky—one misstep could shatter the qi sea. Without a guardian, it was incredibly perilous. Usually, sect disciples would ask their master, or a trusted senior sister, to guard them during core refinement. And here was Yan Jue, huddled in a corner, like a wounded beast nursing its own wounds. Qi Xian Qing sat in the shadowed room, holding Yan Jue's burning hand. Gently, the pure, spiritual energy of her celestial body flowed into Yan Jue, from her palm to her very core. Qi Xian Qing's palm was firmly pressed against Yan Jue’s. The untainted spiritual energy of the celestial spirit body gradually dispersed the blocked energy within Yan Jue. Qi Xian Qing was guarding her. As she watched Yan Jue's tranquil sleeping face, Qi Xian Qing pondered. If there came a day when she lay powerless before Yan Jue, would Yan Jue feel tempted to devour her? Would she do such a thing? - The materials used in crafting the demon core were apparently excellent. Yan Jue took three whole days to completely disperse the energy inside her. Aside from struggling the first day after consuming the spirit pill, Yan Jue found the energy's dispersion process growing progressively smooth. She sensed something strange about this. But couldn't quite put her finger on what it was. After several days in the dormitory, Yan Jue finally regained her top condition. It felt as though her body had been reborn. On Wu Long Mountain, autumn sunlight was warm and inviting. Clad in a daoist robe, Yan Jue walked along the forest path, feeling power surge through her with every step, the demon core in her qi sea spinning vigorously, its stored energy flowing exuberantly with each motion. This was the difference between having a core and not. The disparity between human and demon cultivators was now clear. Yan Jue could truly call it the Demon Core realm. Her dantian now truly deserved the name. Closing her eyes and calming her mind, she sensed the icy blue demon core pulsating in her qi sea. With excellent refining materials came an excellent core. Staring at the azure sky, Yan Jue contemplated that, without the original owner's esteemed background, acquiring such precious refining materials would have been impossible. Thus, she couldn’t forsake her responsibilities to the Ghost Mansion fox tribe. With a wave of her hand, spiritual energy lanced outward, an icy blue streak shattering the tree before her. Such was the power of the demon core. Retracting her energy, Yan Jue heard a surprised exclamation nearby, "It's Second Senior Sister..." Turning, she saw a group of girls in daoist robes, pointing and whispering. "How come we never noticed... Second Senior Sister is this powerful?" "And she's really pretty too..." Yan Jue: "..." Awkwardly tugging at her lips, she glanced around. Just as expected, she found no one else present. Despite ranking third in the previous Five Dragon Summit, Yan Jue's designation as an inner sect disciple due to Yun Zhen had sparked rumors labeling her as the "Second Senior Sister." Yet, Yan Jue wasn't one to care for empty titles. As the saying goes, ambition unbacked by virtue leads to disaster. The title "Second Senior Sister" entailed responsibilities that could be gauged by looking at Qi Xian Qing. Currently, Yan Jue wasn’t in a position to devote attention to the righteous immortal sects. Her only reason for staying was Qi Xian Qing. The title, therefore, held no real value to her. --- At Wan Wu Fort, Yan Jue had come to realize her glaring inadequacies in sword control. Because the day she chased that winged creature at Chun Man Lou, she nearly fell off her speeding flying sword several times. Taking advantage of a sunny afternoon, she held her celestial sword, Liu Bing, and headed to Xiwu Peak. The lush mountains were pristine, clouds dancing between peaks. She invoked Liu Bing, stepping onto it. Whoosh—a burst of wind, and Liu Bing was off. When cultivators handle flying swords, they stand directly on them; it’s fine for simple travel, but at sheer speed, one risks toppling off. With time on her hands, Yan Jue wanted to test her new demon core's power, weaving through the mountainous terrain atop her flying sword. Ahead was a towering peak, and Yan Jue leaned forward slightly. Her true energy surged, surrounding her with a rainbow-hued aura. Such purity in spiritual energy! It would never manifest if she’d ever taken a life. As Liu Bing rushed through the sky, it left an icy blue trail with a deafening screech, slicing directly through the peak. Yan Jue reeled, nearly losing her footing on Liu Bing, barely managing to steady herself. ... For hours running past midday into the evening, Yan Jue flew around Xiwu Peak, narrowly avoiding collisions with oncoming peaks. Through continued practice with Liu Bing, they gradually achieved a seamless synergy. The setting sun was blood-red. Like a skater, Yan Jue zigzagged between peaks, winds howling past her ears. She tilted her body for a sharp turn. Liu Bing soared skyward like a mighty eagle. --- Recently, Qi Xian Qing had been in seclusion as well. Yan Jue knew Qi Xian Qing had been preoccupied with her thoughts lately. While practicing her sword flight at Xiwu Peak, she also familiarized herself with her newly integrated demon core. As her body adapted more smoothly to the demon core, Yan Jue, stretching on her bed one evening, transformed herself into her red fox form and wandered leisurely to the cold pond. The ice peach grove beside the pond was serene under the moonlight, pink peach blossoms swirling in the breeze, landing softly on the grass. Yan Jue, taking a few steps, approached Qi Xian Qing’s small wooden house and was momentarily taken aback by the sight before her. Qi Xian Qing, dressed in plain white garments, her raven-black hair combed back, lay across the desk, frowning as she wrote, tapping her pen loudly on the desk. The desk was covered in papers filled with writing and sketches, likely sword manuals or something similar. Yan Jue’s keen eyes spotted the sword technique manuscript she had given Qi Xian Qing nearby. Candle Flame, Qi Xian Qing's sword, lay weakly on the desk, its glow dulled, evidently worn out from being used continuously. Watching this scene in silence, Yan Jue was suddenly struck by the diligence of a scholar, finding it somewhat terrifying. Upon hearing footsteps, Qi Xian Qing pushed away her chair, rising and stretching as she approached, greeting casually, “Little fox, you’re here.” “Where have you been these past few days?” At home, Qi Xian Qing was relaxed and unconcerned with her appearance, holding a teacup as she walked, sipping casually. Her naturally red lips glistened slightly in the candlelight, appearing particularly alluring. Noticing something, Qi Xian Qing murmured, "Hmm?" setting aside her teacup to gently stroke Yan Jue. Yan Jue was not pleased, flicking her tails defiantly, puffing her chest in response. Behind her, a new tail had somehow emerged, stiff like a scallion stalk, standing upright. With Qi Xian Qing's touch, Yan Jue realized another tail had grown. Now possessing six tails, she couldn’t help but think she was becoming like San Niang, a six-tailed spirit fox. Qi Xian Qing smoothed out her fur, lost in thought. The more tails a spirit fox bore, the purer its bloodline. This creature’s tails grew rapidly. Could it be... Watching the little fox's tense body as she played with its tails, Qi Xian Qing mused aloud, “Oh, you’ve grown a new tail. No wonder you’ve been avoiding me, probably hiding somewhere to recuperate.” Yan Jue, accurately guessed, closed her eyes and settled on the ground, feigning ignorance. Qi Xian Qing remarked, “It’s a coincidence; I recently helped a junior sister disperse her internal energy.” The term "junior sister" struck Yan Jue, and she immediately grew alert, opening her small eyes to glare at Qi Xian Qing. Continuing to stroke the fox's soft fur while recounting her discovery of Yan Jue’s disordered energy back at the dormitory, Qi Xian Qing detailed how she had assisted her. Yan Jue listened, her ears perking up in apprehension. Just as she suspected. Curving her lips slightly, Qi Xian Qing also shared how she had stabilized Yan Jue’s energy at the room by the imperial palace in Yu Xu Sea. Seeing the little fox’s exaggerated calmness crumble, Qi Xian Qing couldn’t help but chuckle, scratching her chest. Yan Jue went limp, flipping onto her back, legs kicking the air as contented purrs escaped her throat. Rubbing the pink, fur-less belly, Qi Xian Qing soothed the fox, casually mentioning how she had helped clear Yan Jue's meridians when overwhelmed by spirit energy in the monkey demon’s lair in Nanxing Town. Qi Xian Qing noted, “She’s helped guard for me twice, but I’ve helped her thrice.” “Clearing one’s meridians is crucial for cultivation; incomplete circulation makes future training immensely difficult.” Ruffling the fox’s head, Qi Xian Qing asked softly, “How should she repay me?” Yan Jue rolled over, her face flushed, emitting a low whimper, wrapping her tail around Qi Xian Qing’s arm. It was a thoughtless act of affection from the little fox. Yet, it carried a hint of Yan Jue’s own intent. Yan Jue felt like she was falling deeper for Qi Xian Qing. Though initially skeptical of Qi Xian Qing’s actions, hearing them directly from her had a profound impact. Yet, she was uncertain if Qi Xian Qing minded her being a demon, or what her feelings for her truly were. Yan Jue was afraid. Afraid of what her identity meant. Thus, she dared not reveal too much before Qi Xian Qing.