In the northern part of Qi Kingdom, mountains stretched endlessly. Cold wind swirled with clouds and mist, spiraling up from the cliff valleys. Dense forests stood thick, and birds darted from the depths of the haze, startling the mountains with bursts of sound. On distant peaks, thunder rolled, appearing to echo the gloom and desolation of this land.
Above the mountainside stood an ancient courtyard. Its walls were covered in pale moss, yet due to the pervasive Spirit Qi, it was shrouded in misty light year-round. At its center, a high pavilion towered into the clouds, eleven stories in total. The palace halls were solemn and severe, like a green blade thrust between heaven and earth. This place was none other than the Yin Spirit Pavilion, a subordinate sect of the world-renowned Gui Chi Gate.
Inside the main hall of the pavilion, eaves bells chimed clearly, the wind passing through like rhythmic music.
At the center of the hall, Spirit Radiance circulated, and array patterns faintly appeared. One person—Lin Dalu—was confined in mid-air. His clothes were torn all over, and he was bound by Spirit Radiance. Several wounds were faintly visible, and his limbs were entirely held by restrictions. His eyes still retained clarity, yet his speech was sealed, and his body and mind were both trapped by the restrictions of spirit power techniques.
Before the hall, Qiu Shengshui stood upon a large green stone platform. His features were handsome, his face like polished jade, and he appeared about thirty years old. He wore an Indigo Woad Brocade Robe woven with gold thread patterns like clouds, possessing an aura of high elegance that did not lack coldness. He held his left hand behind his back while his right palm formed a Hand Seal, his wrist turning like a snake. "Hu... hu... hu," Spirit Radiance flashed in his palm, and several wisps of Spirit Mist-Smoke entered Lin Dalu's body to probe the Qi Mechanism of his meridians.
After a moment, Qiu Shengshui's gaze sharpened, and he murmured in a low voice, "As expected, it is a Profound Yin Spirit body... and the purity of his spiritual root even exceeds that of Fang Yun." A cold light flickered deep in his eyes, and he pondered for a moment, appearing to find it inconceivable, "Could it be... it is actually a Three-Life Profound Yin Spirit?"
Just as his voice fell, a light sound of footsteps came from outside the hall. Those steps seemed to glide and float, soft as water, bringing a wisp of fragrant wind into the hall. A figure in a Sheer Blue Gauze Skirt entered slowly from the hall door. The slanting light and shadows only reflected a pair of white jade-like feet tapping lightly on the green stone. The hem of the gauze moved slightly, her breath like an orchid.
The woman's face was not yet seen, but her voice arrived first, "Congratulations, Pavilion Master. Not only have you recovered the Sacred Relic, but you have also obtained a Profound Yin Spirit body. This can truly be called a double blessing."
Her tone was gentle yet carried a faint hidden smile, like silk entwining, or a dark fragrance filling the sleeves.
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She stepped into the hall, her eyes slanting slightly as they swept over the confined figure. Where her gaze fell, a faint rosy glow arose. Her lips carried a shallow smile that seemed both pitying and playful, making one's mind stall.
Lin Dalu although he could not speak, his Divine Sense was still clear. At this moment, his gaze shifted slightly to see the newcomer's graceful figure, her long hair like a waterfall, and her skin white as snow. Her Sheer Blue Gauze Skirt was soft and ethereal, moving slightly with her steps as she walked, the hem trailing the ground. When the wind passed, it was as if flowing light brushed by. Her eyebrows were like distant mountain peaks, her eyes contained spring water, and her lip color was like a dot of vermilion. Compared to the soft and clear beauty of Xiang'er, this woman added several degrees of light and colorful charm.
Lin Dalu's heart grew slightly disordered. Although he had once made a vow with Xiang'er to be husband and wife, they had not yet had physical intimacy. Now, confined and suspended in the air, and being stared at by such a woman, embarrassment and shame surged into his heart. His face could not help but flush red. In his heart, he cursed, "This is truly a humiliation!" yet he was unable to move his gaze away.
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Seeing this, Qiu Shengshui's lips curled into a sneer, his tone both cold and soft, "Lin Dalu, this Pavilion Master knows you are unwilling, but what of it? I have already cleared your meridians, and your cultivation has risen to Qi Refinement Level 1. You were originally a mortal body. Receiving this grace from me is already a debt of rebirth. From now on, you only need to perform Breath Cultivation to nourish the Sacred Relic with your Profound Yin Spirit body, and you must not harbor reckless thoughts. If you do not wish to suffer the pain of nine blades and nine ants every three days, then practice this Tranquil Spirit Art well!"
As his words fell, a wisp of Spirit Radiance entwined around Lin Dalu's chest. He only felt his mind tighten suddenly, a coldness piercing through to his very marrow.
Qiu Shengshui withdrew his palm and turned his head toward the woman in blue gauze, a hint of frivolity flashing in his eyes, "Qin Yue, you see this newly admitted disciple is so stubborn. Do you know how to properly discipline him?"
Qin Yue gave a light laugh, stepping a few inches closer, her voice charming, "Pavilion Master, he is but a mortal with an ordinary face, unremarkable in appearance, and not tall. If word got out that he is my fellow disciple, wouldn't it be a joke?" Though her words were light, they carried a few thorns. Her gaze swept over Lin Dalu, appearing both petulant and cold.
Qiu Shengshui gave a light snort, and with a slight movement of his palm, Spirit Radiance swirled. "Hu," the confined figure was suddenly turned to face Qin Yue directly.
"This boy although his appearance is unremarkable, he possesses a Three-Life Profound Yin Spirit body." Qiu Shengshui laughed lowly, his voice ghostly cold, "If he practices diligently in the future, let alone Core Formation, even Nascent Soul or Divine Transformation would be just around the corner! Furthermore, this boy's Yang Essence Opportunity has not dissipated, and his Dao body is pure—Qin Yue, are you actually unmoved?"
In that instant, Qin Yue's expression stalled slightly, and a flash of panic crossed her eyes. Immediately, her face changed slightly as she knelt and kowtowed, her voice trembling, "In this life, Qin Yue is only loyal to the Pavilion Master alone. Only the Pavilion Master's favor and protection can make my soul harmonize and make me unable to forget even if I wished to." Her tone was melodious, the end of her voice sounding like both weeping and laughing, and the fragrance in the hall grew even thicker.
Qiu Shengshui lifted his head and laughed loudly, the sound shaking the hall beams.
"A fine 'soul harmony, unable to forget even if I wished to'! Haha—you are indeed the phantom charm and graceful form of my Yin Spirit Pavilion!" Qiu Shengshui raised his hand and brushed it, the spirit power in the void stirring up a wind. Qin Yue's black hair flew, her gauze clothes billowed, and a dark fragrance surged from her silk sleeves.
Qin Yue rose slowly, giving a graceful bow, and answered softly, "The Pavilion Master teases me. I am but a mere mortal frame who obtained your pity to practice until this day. If not for the Pavilion Master's elevation, how could I have this Immortal Affinity in this life?"
Lin Dalu's heart grew heavy, and his gaze narrowed slightly. Although he did not speak, he heard clearly. These two before him, one as cold as a ghostly pool and one as charming as a fox spirit, both spoke of human lives as playthings. In his heart, he swore a secret oath, If there comes a day when I can escape this calamity, I will surely wash away this humiliation with blood.
Outside the hall, a bell suddenly chimed three times, as if descending from the high heavens. Wind and clouds rose again, and runes atop the hall glowed faintly. Cold flames floated on the walls inside the hall, and mist filled the air. Suspended in mid-air was a ghostly green soul lamp, its flame swaying without wind, reflecting the entire stone hall as if it had fallen into a cold pool.
Qiu Shengshui stood before the platform, his blue robe trailing on the ground, his eyes deep as an abyss. He withdrew his expression, the cold light in his eyes condensing into a line, "The superior sect has sent an order. I fear it is related to the matter of the Sacred Relic." Immediately, he flicked his sleeve, and a wisp of whirlwind suddenly arose, wrapping around Lin Dalu's body and tossing him lightly toward the charming figure below the hall.
"From this day forward, this person shall belong to the Yin Spirit Pavilion, as a personal disciple of this Pavilion Master." His voice was like an iron blade, carrying a bone-chilling aura, "If he can achieve Core Formation early and help the Sacred Relic take shape, our Yin Spirit Pavilion will have fulfilled its merit and will have something to show the superior sect."
Lin Dalu was supported by this wind and fell to the ground. His body shook, and before he could recover his senses, he heard Qiu Shengshui shout in a heavy voice, "I am heading to the superior sect immediately to report this matter... Qin Yue!"
The curtain moved lightly, and a fragrant wind approached. Qin Yue stepped forward, her eyes rippling, and her vermilion lips opened slightly, "I am here."
"Before I return, teach him the Qi Refinement Levels 2–5 Cultivation Formula well. Do not make any mistakes." Qiu Shengshui spoke sternly.
Qin Yue lightly covered her red lips and gave a low laugh, "Rest assured, Pavilion Master. Just now, I truly thought I was going to discipline that 'Sacred Relic'." After speaking, her charming eyes turned and glanced at Lin Dalu, her smile carrying a hint of bashfulness, "The Pavilion Master is truly wicked, you really frightened me just now. Hehe... however, with me here, this boy's cultivation will surely advance by leaps and bounds."
Qiu Shengshui smiled faintly, his tone feminine and dark, "I knew that handing him over to you was the most appropriate."
After speaking, a cold light seemed to flash deep within those ghostly eyes.
Lin Dalu felt his jaw loosen, the breath in his throat returned, and the constraints on his body dissipated. However, his legs were still numb, making it difficult to stand firmly. He looked up to see Qin Yue's charm flowing and her smile blossoming, while Qiu Shengshui turned with his hands behind his back, appearing ready to depart.
However, at this moment, Lin Dalu could no longer care about the embarrassment, his voice urgent, "Where is Xiang'er? I want to see her!"
Qin Yue gave a light snort, her phoenix eyes half-lowered, "Why bother, Young Master Lin? That girl is but one of the Pavilion Master's many concubines, yet you worry for her? Besides—she is the one in the Yin Spirit Pavilion who best knows how to please people, and she is favored by the Pavilion Master."
Lin Dalu grew furious upon hearing this, his face darkening, "You speak nonsense! Xiang'er is gentle and upright. How could she be the filthy person you describe! Do not insult her!..."
Before he could finish, Qiu Shengshui flicked his sleeve, and a mountain-like Spirit Pressure struck Lin Dalu's chest directly. The sound of thunder seemed to explode in the air, and a sweetness rose in Lin Dalu's throat as he nearly spat blood.
Qiu Shengshui said coldly, "If you wish to see her, then practice well. If you achieve Foundation Establishment, I will allow you both to meet, if you can achieve Core Formation and help me condense the Sacred Relic, I can let the two of you leave to become that pair of lovebirds envied by the world."
Lin Dalu's expression dimmed, and his thoughts surged.
—Xiang'er once said that Qiu Shengshui is a sinister and treacherous man who destroyed the Fang family, and Xiang'er's father also died at his hands. And listening to what he said, it seems that the night I fought with Diao Zeyi and the others, the Black Qi Thread that drilled out from Xiang'er's brow was the Sacred Relic... but that eerie Sacred Relic then drilled into my brow. In other words, the Sacred Relic has now left Xiang'er and is inside my body... If the Sacred Relic is taken out after it condenses, I will certainly not escape death. However, as long as Xiang'er is safe, I will die without fear... But Qiu Shengshui's words can absolutely not be trusted! I must ensure Xiang'er's safety.
Thinking up to this point, Lin Dalu steadied his mind, the light in his eyes condensing. Although his clothes were torn, he still cupped his fists and bowed his head, "If the Pavilion Master keeps his promise and can let me and my wife leave, I am willing to join the Yin Spirit Pavilion and honor the Pavilion Master as my Master. I will practice without pause to raise my cultivation and strive to condense the Sacred Relic early, so that the Pavilion Master... oh, so that you, Master, may have your wish fulfilled! To repay your teaching grace!"
The corner of Qiu Shengshui's mouth tilted slightly, revealing a hint of mockery, "Wife?"
He gave a light snort, neither agreeing nor disagreeing.
Lin Dalu was sharp-witted and feigned ignorance, continuing, "It is just that this disciple still has one matter to ask Master to fulfill."
——(To be continued)