Under the faint cold moonlight, the entire cave was illuminated.
In the vast Dragon Pool, as the Dragon Vein Essence dispersed into it, waves suddenly surged.
The White Dragon lurking within continued to grow, almost filling the entire Dragon Pool.
At this moment, Ji Yutang’s mind was immersed in the vast Dao, and though she could sense the situation in the Dragon Pool, she couldn’t spare the energy to idle herself.
Clear water flowed on the ground, draining towards the outside of the cave, but due to the restrictions set by Li Jingyu, the entire cave was in a sealed state, allowing only the Primordial Qi of heaven and earth to flow freely.
The overflowing water accumulated in the cave, slowly rising, almost level with the bed, making it seem as if the entire cave had transformed into a marshland.
Ji Yutang did not cultivate her magical power; she followed the guidance in the Dragon Transformation Sutra, bypassing the True Core step, using the Dragon Vein Essence to internally refine the Dragon Pill.
A profound and mysterious force roamed through her body, from the Qi Sea to the Scarlet Palace, then to the Mind Palace, and finally back to the Qi Sea along the meridians.
After the Dragon Pill was formed, from the perspective of physical strength, she had naturally attained the Dao Fruit of a human immortal.
However, Ji Yutang pursued the Dao not to assimilate with heaven and earth, but to seek transcendence like the cultivators of Jiuzhou.
In the Mind Palace, the Daode Heavenly Book gradually manifested.
According to Li Jingyu, although this Tai Shang Dao Sutra did not cultivate magical power or form a core, it actually used the Great Void as a cauldron and the Tai Chi as a furnace, seeking tranquility and non-action to generate Dao Fruit.
For Ji Yutang to achieve this, she could only purify her thoughts, acting according to her true self.
If she only cultivated this method, there would be no constraints, but the dragon power within her, not worn away by the Dao, became one of her innate spiritual natures.
This placed her in an awkward situation.
After internally refining the Dragon Pill, the massive dragon body shrank back to less than a zhang long.
She didn’t know when she swam out of the Dragon Pool, but now she was in front of Li Jingyu.
She squinted at the crescent moon that appeared due to Li Jingyu’s cultivation, a strange longing flickering in her dragon eyes.
Everything at this moment was guided by her true self, so before she realized it, she had already wrapped herself around Li Jingyu, absorbing the Taiyin Qi emanating from her.
But this emanating Qi was somewhat insufficient for her; she wanted to get closer, to seek more primal power, to restore the balance of yin and yang within her.
The dragon body rustled, tangling Li Jingyu’s robes into a mess.
Ji Yutang’s consciousness seemed to detach from her body.
She looked at Li Jingyu, suddenly recalling what happened in the Dragon Palace, where a small White Dragon slipped in through the sleeve, its hard scales scraping against tender skin, leaving red marks—if she could transform into human form, her face would surely be flushed.
Ji Yutang hurriedly drove the floating thoughts out of her mind, but her damned true self seemed not to receive her signal, becoming even more restless.
In such a situation, it was impossible for Li Jingyu not to wake up.
She had kept her eyes closed, but her senses were extremely sharp, originally wanting to see what Ji Yutang intended to do, but unexpectedly, a moment of hesitation pushed her into this predicament.
Her eyelashes trembled, and she finally opened her eyes.
What she saw was a pair of golden dragon eyes, devoid of any emotion, cold as if nothing in the world mattered.
Li Jingyu frowned, looking down at her current state—though her clothes were disheveled, they were still on her.
The dragon, having lost its senses, wasn’t tightly coiled, and she could easily break free.
But just as this thought arose, the hovering dragon made a new move.
The thick dragon body tightened and loosened, forcing her to lie on the stone bed.
Li Jingyu looked at the emotionless White Dragon and chuckled.
If it were just cultivating dragon power, she wouldn’t lose her senses; perhaps it was the clash with the Tai Shang root scripture? Now guided by her true self, where was Ji Yutang’s consciousness hiding? Li Jingyu didn’t speak; she lay on the bed, with the White Dragon still writhing on her, and in a daze, she sensed the White Dragon’s craving for Taiyin Qi.
With a light laugh, Li Jingyu lazily summoned the Jewel of the Rising Tides, releasing strands of primal energy.
The White Dragon eagerly absorbed and refined it.
Li Jingyu’s gaze became deep and profound, and she looked at the White Dragon with a low laugh, “I hope you won’t regret it, but at this moment, even if you do, it’s too late.”
Ji Yutang: “!!!” This was not her true self.
After Li Jingyu’s words fell, the Jewel of the Rising Tides sank into the water in the cave.
A silver moon slowly rose above the water, casting a gentle silver-gray light.
The restrained Taiyin Qi instantly filled the entire cave.
The White Dragon let out a low cry, suddenly releasing Li Jingyu, diving into the water to chase the Jewel of the Rising Tides.
Li Jingyu watched the water, her face somewhat pale, with fine sweat on her forehead.
She leaned against the wall, silently watching the White Dragon.
What she was doing was actually manifesting the divine palace in her Mind Palace, allowing the White Dragon to explore.
Any Taiyin Qi was her primal power, a part of her body.
The White Dragon was at ease in the water, extremely carefree.
It effortlessly caught the Jewel of the Rising Tides.
But at this moment, the White Dragon appeared somewhat confused, slowly drawn to the crescent moon, hesitating for a moment before flying towards the full moon, as if wanting to completely enter it.
Ji Yutang could sense the White Dragon’s state and naturally could see Li Jingyu’s expression through the dragon’s eyes.
Sweat-dampened hair clung to her forehead, her collar disheveled, revealing a delicate collarbone, and below that was an endless spring scene.
Her face was flushed like a peach blossom, her eyes tinged with a hint of red, but in those deep eyes was an emotion she couldn’t understand, as if detached from the ambiguous scene.
“Dual, dual, dual cultivation—” Ji Yutang was startled, yet it was her “true self” that actively clung to someone.
But she didn’t understand why Li Jingyu was willing; this was her cave, didn’t she have a solution? Ji Yutang was anxious, but that “true self” wouldn’t pay her any mind, and after entering the full moon, the abundant Taiyin Qi harmonized the dragon energy’s fierceness and yang energy, calming the restlessness.
The true self gradually became peaceful, and the Taiyin Qi entwined around her slowly receded.
The manifested moon wheel gradually dimmed, disappearing bit by bit under Ji Yutang’s gaze, turning into a stream of light that entered Li Jingyu’s body.
Ji Yutang glanced, as if scalded by fire, quickly retracting her gaze.
After a moment, she couldn’t help but glance at Li Jingyu again.
She still maintained her initial posture, a hint of allure in her brows, dispelling the usual pretense.
Her eyes were half-closed, as if exhausted, unable to support herself.
Ji Yutang felt deeply ashamed, wishing she could hide in the Dragon Pool.
But that bit of “moral sense” drove away her avoidance, transforming her into human form.
The tide of water that had been pushed out of the Dragon Pool receded, and Ji Yutang walked heavily towards Li Jingyu.
Hearing footsteps, Li Jingyu slightly opened her eyes, looking at Ji Yutang, a smile tugging at her lips.
“I, I—” Ji Yutang stammered.
Li Jingyu didn’t speak, and only when she was close did she suddenly reach out, pulling her into her embrace.
“A true dragon is indeed nourishing, especially a heavenly dragon with a Dragon Pill,” Li Jingyu said with a smile.
Ji Yutang was startled, suppressed by a strong force, her body and thoughts locked.
After a long time, she managed to say, “How do you know?” As soon as she spoke, her face was full of embarrassment.
“Naturally, I tasted it,” Li Jingyu said nonchalantly, reaching out to brush Ji Yutang’s hair, gazing into her eyes full of surprise and conflict, softening her voice, “Dragon horns.”
A nameless anger surged, Ji Yutang bit her lip, staring at Li Jingyu, blurting out, “No!” Li Jingyu was a demonic cultivator; how could she be treated like an ordinary person? She pushed Li Jingyu, but couldn’t free herself from her embrace.
Taking a deep breath, Ji Yutang said, “Let me go!”
Facing Ji Yutang’s fiery gaze, Li Jingyu remained calm, smiling slightly, “I don’t know who was clinging to me just now, leaving red marks through the clothes.”
“That wasn’t me!” Ji Yutang said angrily.
Li Jingyu nodded, “Hmm?” Seeing Ji Yutang’s face improve, she smiled again, “It was your true self, your primal power.” She leaned closer to Ji Yutang’s cheek, exhaling softly, speaking slowly, “How was the moon visit?”
“You, you, you—” Ji Yutang was furious, finally squeezing out, “Shameless!”
Li Jingyu chuckled, releasing Ji Yutang, studying her for a moment before saying, “Didn’t you gain benefits?”
Ji Yutang pursed her lips, her mind clearing, realizing she was at fault.
She avoided Li Jingyu’s gaze, unwilling to look at her, and said, “When will you send me out of the Southern Border?”
“I originally planned for soon, but now—” Li Jingyu glanced at Ji Yutang, drawing out her words.
“What now?” Ji Yutang asked with a stern face, her heart uneasy.
Li Jingyu raised an eyebrow, “After what you did to me, you want to leave just like that?”
Ji Yutang’s heart softened, but recalling her previous attitude, she was immediately enveloped in a sense of frustration.
She raised her eyebrows, sneering, “Weren’t you enjoying it too?”
“Yes,” Li Jingyu said with a smile, “Since that’s the case, why don’t you stay in Ji Yue Cave Heaven, and we can enjoy it together.”
Ji Yutang: “…” She felt a sense of powerlessness, meeting Li Jingyu’s gaze, and asked, “What do you want?”
Li Jingyu didn’t answer, instead asking, “Have you heard of the Demonic Dao Assembly?”
Ji Yutang shook her head.
Li Jingyu briefly explained, looking at Ji Yutang, “I want to take the top spot.”
Ji Yutang looked at her, puzzled, “What does that have to do with me?”
Li Jingyu crossed her hands, resting her chin, “Didn’t I say? Your dragon energy is very nourishing, it can help me improve my cultivation.
And in the process, you can benefit too, can’t you? Your true self is eager to stay in my moon palace.”
“Once is twice, why are you still shy?”
Ji Yutang was furious.
Is this something a person can say? No, she’s a demonic cultivator, willing to do anything to achieve her goals, not a person at all!
“What if I don’t want to?” Ji Yutang tried to calm her anger, pretending to be calm.
Li Jingyu smiled, “Then I’ll have to find someone else.”
Ji Yutang thought she would be threatened, ready to be “unyielding,” but didn’t expect such a response.
It was like a heavy hammer striking her head, her ears buzzing, taking a long time to recover.
She looked at Li Jingyu—after the commotion, her collar was even more open, her skin glowing like jade under the clear light.
“I, I, you, you—” Ji Yutang stammered, unable to form a complete sentence.
Li Jingyu didn’t intend to continue the topic, she removed her hairpin and ribbon, letting her long hair cascade over her shoulders, tidying her collar, speaking slowly, “Qin Ruoshui and his group escaped from Ling Mountain, I wonder if they fell into the hands of demonic cultivators, truly pitiful.
But even if they escaped successfully, they wouldn’t leave the Southern Border, right? After all, they didn’t get the Heartless Book, nor did they rescue you.”
Ji Yutang withdrew her gaze, frowning, “What do you want?”
Li Jingyu didn’t answer, instead asking, “Do you want to leave Huoxin Palace?”
Ji Yutang sneered, “I want it so much I’m going crazy.”
Li Jingyu beckoned her over.
Ji Yutang bit her lip, afraid of being tricked by Li Jingyu again.
The Ran Family sisters, same face, equally annoying!
“Since you don’t want to, then forget it,” Li Jingyu waved her hand.
After a moment of stalemate, Ji Yutang reluctantly moved her feet, her arms crossed defensively, staring at Li Jingyu.
Li Jingyu found it amusing, hiding her emotions, speaking calmly, “You can leave if you let me plant a curse on you.”
Ji Yutang was angry, “Do you think I’m a fool?”
Li Jingyu looked at Ji Yutang in confusion, “How could that be? Even if you don’t want to, I can still do it.”
Ji Yutang: “…” The realization of being a prisoner resurfaced, and she frowned, glaring at Li Jingyu with dissatisfaction.
“This spell won’t take your life.
It’s just—” Li Jingyu glanced at Ji Yutang.
“Just what?” Ji Yutang asked, trying to be patient.
Li Jingyu replied slowly, “It’s just that you won’t be able to dual cultivate with anyone else in the future.”
It was as if a thunderclap exploded in her ears.
Ji Yutang was both anxious and angry.
She must be crazy to listen to Li Jingyu say such things! With a swift movement, she transformed into her dragon form and submerged into the Dragon Pool.
No matter how much Li Jingyu called out, she didn’t respond.
Li Jingyu chuckled softly and ignored Ji Yutang, continuing to refine the Bodhi Pure Water.
A month later.
Behind Li Jingyu, the water surged, and she stood amidst the mist, appearing as an unattainable celestial being.
Her cultivation method was unique, and unless she deliberately used it, it was hard to detect the demonic aura.
Once the “Primordial Abyssal Divine Water” was refined, it became even more mysterious, akin to the true teachings of Tai Shang.
Gathering the surrounding water, Li Jingyu walked to the edge of the Dragon Pool and said leisurely, “You’ve been in the Southern Border for so long, but you haven’t seen our Demon Sect’s magic city, have you? I’m going to Wuwang City today.
Will you stay and guard the cave?”
With a splash, a silver dragon suddenly burst out of the pool.
Its golden eyes, bright as the sun and moon, glared at Li Jingyu angrily, “I’m not your guard beast!”
Li Jingyu’s lips curled into a faint smile, “Who would dual cultivate with a guard beast?” With that, she extended her left hand to Ji Yutang.
After a moment of hesitation, Ji Yutang transformed into a small dragon and coiled around Li Jingyu’s wrist.
If it weren’t for Li Jingyu, she wouldn’t have to maintain her dragon form for so long! All beings enter the path with humans as a reference, especially since she was originally human!
Li Jingyu pretended not to notice Ji Yutang’s resentment.
She rolled up her sleeve, hiding the little White Dragon, and left the cave gracefully.
Fellow disciples greeted her along the way, and Li Jingyu responded indifferently until she encountered Feng Yuan, whose face was flushed.
“Senior Sister—” Feng Yuan looked at Li Jingyu, feeling a bit breathless.
Li Jingyu raised an eyebrow and smiled, “I thought you’d be staying in Huanchi Heaven.”
Feng Yuan’s gaze wavered.
Before she could speak, Li Jingyu reached out and tossed a small mountain into Feng Yuan’s hand.
“This is the seal to unlock the Ling Mountain’s forbidden array,” Li Jingyu said.
Feng Yuan’s expression turned serious, and she quickly accepted it, saying solemnly, “Thank you, Senior Sister.”
Li Jingyu snorted and turned to leave.
Rather than giving it to Feng Yuan, it was more like returning Ling Mountain to the Pure Lotus Zen’s Buddha child.
Ji Yutang sensed the surrounding aura and only poked her head out of Li Jingyu’s sleeve when no one was around, muttering, “Are you really that kind-hearted?”
Li Jingyu laughed, “A fallen Buddha won’t be acknowledged by the seven great immortal sects.
I just felt sorry for her and didn’t want her to lose Ling Mountain too.”
Ji Yutang: “…” She clung to Li Jingyu’s sleeve, ignoring her words.
Southern Border’s Wuwang City is one of the few magic cities of the Demon Sect.
The habits of Demon Sect cultivators are entirely different from those of the Immortal Sect.
They don’t stay in one place for long and quietly take what they need from the Immortal Sect’s territory.
After all, most demonic cultivators don’t produce anything; they only know how to plunder and lack the skills to manage.
Ji Yutang had read descriptions of magic cities in books, especially this one named “Wuwang,” which belonged to Huoxin Palace.
“Drunken dreams and a life of debauchery” were the closest words to describe it.
Ji Yutang didn’t particularly like it, but when she arrived, she couldn’t help but sneak a peek.
The street layout was no different from Fan City, except there were no mortals, and it was noisy everywhere.
The shop doors on both sides were open, with occasional shouting and figures flying out, crashing heavily to the ground, leaving bloodstains.
At first, Ji Yutang was startled, but after walking half the street, she became numb.
The words “drunken dreams and a life of debauchery” seemed too grand for Wuwang City.
“It’s chaotic, isn’t it?” Li Jingyu’s lips curled up, clearly in a good mood.
Ji Yutang: “…” As the Ji Yue Saintess of Huoxin Palace and half the owner of Wuwang City, is this something to be happy about? Or is she part of the chaos herself? While Ji Yutang was lost in thought, Li Jingyu turned and entered an inn.
Amidst the clattering and wailing, Ji Yutang blocked out the noise and focused on the burly demonic cultivator drinking in the center—a familiar face, seemingly Wei Fuming from Qingtian Sect?
“Ji Yue truly is a talent in our Demon Sect, advancing rapidly in cultivation,” Wei Fuming immediately noticed Li Jingyu, his tone flippant and lacking respect.
The gazes that had been glued to Li Jingyu when she entered the inn vanished upon hearing the name “Ji Yue.” Though they coveted the female cultivators of Huoxin Palace, they knew who not to provoke.
“Even Senior Brother Wei can reach the Golden Core stage, so why can’t I?” Li Jingyu smiled.
Wei Fuming’s expression changed slightly at her words.
He squinted, assessing Li Jingyu’s cultivation, a bloodthirsty glint in his eyes.
After a moment, he said to Li Jingyu, “Earlier, I saw someone near Wuqishan who looked like Ji Yue.
I thought Ji Yue had defected to the Immortal Sect.”
“Where did Senior Brother Wei get that idea?” Li Jingyu feigned surprise, “I’ve only heard of immortals falling to demonic ways, never demons joining the Immortal Sect.
Does Senior Brother Wei have such hopes?”
With a “thud,” Wei Fuming slammed his cup on the table, shattering it.
He sneered, “I heard Ji Yue killed a fellow Demon Sect member?”
“Is Senior Brother Wei referring to Real Person Zheng?” Li Jingyu feigned confusion.
Wei Fuming sneered, “Hasn’t the Tianhai Demon Sect come to settle the score with you?” After a pause, he added, “Well, they’re busy outsmarting the Immortal Sect.
But when the Demonic Dao Assembly comes—” Wei Fuming looked at Li Jingyu and clicked his tongue, “I hope Ji Yue won’t be devoured by them.”
“The Tianhai Demon Sect is only capable of that,” Li Jingyu said, brushing her hair, openly mocking and disdainful of the Tianhai Demon Sect.
Wei Fuming, recognizing the “cannibalistic” nature of the sect, also showed a hint of disgust.
After a moment, he asked, “Why is Ji Yue not cultivating in Huoxin Palace but coming to Wuwang City?”
Li Jingyu smiled, “Just to relax.”
“Oh?” Wei Fuming’s eyes changed, and he smiled ambiguously, “What kind of person can become Ji Yue’s guest?”
Li Jingyu replied calmly, “Naturally, someone not inferior to the Tai Shang’s heir.”
Wei Fuming’s expression turned serious, and he laughed, “Ji Yue’s ambition is not small.
It seems there’s a Taiyuan Palace heir in Wuwang City? But since Wuwang City is under Huoxin Palace’s control, Ji Yue should know better than Wei.”
Li Jingyu smiled, her gaze icy, as she walked past Wei Fuming and headed deeper into the inn.
Ji Yutang had been eavesdropping on Li Jingyu and Wei Fuming’s conversation.
Upon hearing about the Immortal Sect cultivator’s whereabouts, she became anxious.
She first tried to communicate with Li Jingyu, but when there was no response, she angrily bit her wrist lightly.
“Can’t you behave?” Li Jingyu pressed her left wrist, calmly communicating.
Ji Yutang: “Are you here to ambush Senior Sister Yan and the others?”
Li Jingyu replied mysteriously, “Why would I? If I wanted to kill them, I had plenty of opportunities.
I’m just here to relax.”
Ji Yutang looked skeptical.
The words “relax” sounded quite strange.
