The so-called true dragons actually have three origins: one is the offspring of two true dragons; the second is dragon-blooded beings who cultivate to the highest dragon skills, also known as dragon seeds; the third type is humans like Ji Yutang who cultivate dragon skills.
True dragon offspring are rare, and most humans follow the path of qi, rarely turning to the dragon path.
A large portion of true dragons are actually dragon seeds that have ascended, but this process is extremely difficult, and most dragon seeds get stuck at the “Dragon Transformation Barrier,” unable to break free.
The Chi Dragon in front of them has the form and body of a dragon but lacks dragon horns, clearly a failed attempt at becoming a true dragon.
Without a stroke of luck, he would remain a dragon seed or dragon descendant for life, never a true dragon.
In fact, life for dragon seeds in the North Sea isn’t bad, backed by the Dragon Palace city, almost no one would trouble them.
But once they have one, they want two, and a group of dragon seeds, incited by outsiders, decided to use the flesh and blood of true dragons for cultivation.
“Just in time, I need your Immortal Sect cultivator for a blood sacrifice.” Chi Dragon made a strange “huh huh” sound.
After advancing to the Golden Core stage, he was not afraid of the Foundation Establishment cultivator in front of him.
As soon as he finished speaking, he reached out, transforming his hand into a dragon claw to grab Qin Ruoshui, who was holding a sword.
Qin Ruoshui’s expression changed, his robe fluttered, and a golden canopy opened in the water, with tassel-like lights hanging down.
The dragon claw collided with the tassels, creating a fierce sound, and then several vortices were generated.
As a true disciple of the Taiyuan Dao Palace, Qin Ruoshui naturally carried magical artifacts, giving him the confidence to confront a Golden Core stage cultivator.
On the other side, Lin Heng saw Qin Ruoshui take action and his expression became serious.
He practiced the “Mountain and River Painting Dao,” where mountains and rivers could be incorporated into the painting’s intent.
At this moment, he waved his hand, and the winding water flow transformed into a dragon that flew out of the painting, swinging its tail fiercely at Chi Dragon.
These two were true disciples of the Eight Great Immortal Sects, with magical artifacts protecting them, making it difficult to break through.
Chi Dragon’s thoughts turned, and he set his sights on Li Jingyu and Ji Yutang.
One was at the Foundation Establishment stage, and the other seemed like a mortal without magic power.
Perhaps using some treasure to conceal her aura, Chi Dragon cautiously did not attack Ji Yutang but chose Li Jingyu as the breakthrough point.
Li Jingyu let out a light snort, her fundamental technique was water-based, and she had the “Taiyin Fiend,” which could enhance her power by three or four times in the Dragon Palace city.
The light on her Calamity Moon Heavenly Garment flowed, and the water of the sea was driven by the Bi Hai Tide, forming countless ravines.
Chi Dragon’s offensive turned in those ravines, and by the time it reached Li Jingyu, it had lost much of its power, easily wiped away with a light brush.
After the exchange, Chi Dragon felt the difficulty of the opponents, while Li Jingyu and the others realized that although Chi Dragon’s cultivation had advanced to the Golden Core stage, his own abilities might not keep up.
If they could destroy his dragon body, they would have a chance to kill him.
The three exchanged glances, their magic power surged, and they simultaneously attacked Chi Dragon.
Chi Dragon’s expression changed slightly, his pressure was not enough to shake the opponents, and their abilities were difficult to deal with.
His face twitched, and he formed a seal with his hand, releasing several Dragon Thunders.
Then, a talisman glowing with golden light floated out of his sleeve—something he had obtained by chance, initially capable of subduing even Nascent Soul stage cultivators.
However, after several uses, it was losing its effectiveness, now just right to deal with these three juniors.
Lacking people for the blood sacrifice, they could go to the snowy plains to capture some, but letting them break into the depths of the Dragon Palace and disrupt the ceremony would be a grave offense.
As the talisman floated out of Chi Dragon’s sleeve, it expanded significantly, the flashing golden light dazzling and blinding, revealing mysterious Daoist scripts in mid-air.
“Taishi Qingyi Sealing Talisman?” Qin Ruoshui exclaimed in shock upon seeing the talisman.
As soon as he spoke, a massive vortex suddenly formed in the sea, like a bloodthirsty mouth lunging at them! The spiritual light on his robe flickered but shattered instantly in the dark void.
Under that formidable force, they had no power to resist! Li Jingyu’s eyelids twitched violently, and she moved with the water flow, appearing in front of Ji Yutang in the blink of an eye.
As the vortex swallowed them, she tightly grasped the other’s wrist, refusing to let go.
The vortex swept away the coral and jade bridge from the seabed, leaving only a large pit nearly a hundred feet wide.
Chi Dragon frowned, not understanding how such a change occurred.
Fortunately, those pests were gone.
After staring for a moment, Chi Dragon indifferently waved his sleeve and turned to walk into the Dragon Palace.
“Is it resolved?” A grand voice sounded.
“Resolved, just a bunch of small pests.” Chi Dragon’s voice became particularly respectful.
The inquirer responded with a “hmm” and added, “Once the Taiyin Fiend is brought from over there, the ‘True Dragon Transformation Array’ will be complete.”
* In the Sea Abyss.
A massive rift appeared, followed by several figures being thrown down, crashing hard onto the seabed.
When enveloped by the golden light, all their magic power was sealed.
Now, falling to the seabed, if not for their bodies having reached the Foundation Establishment stage, they might have been crushed under that immense force.
Fortunately, they still had water-repelling pearls on them, or the terrifying pressure of the seawater would have claimed their lives.
“Hiss—” Lin Heng gasped, sensing his magic power sealed, his expression extremely grim.
At this moment, Li Jingyu had no mind for other matters.
Her chest was compressed, intense pain surged, as if a force was trying to tear her apart.
She lay flat on the ground, eyes vacant, and after a long while, she hoarsely asked, “Can you get up?”
Enveloped by the talisman, Ji Yutang instinctively manifested a dragon form to resist the pressure, making her body weigh a thousand pounds.
However, when she fell, Li Jingyu cushioned her, bearing the brunt of the force.
Ji Yutang came to her senses, hurriedly got up, and with some discomfort, reached out to help Li Jingyu up, pursing her lips, “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine.” Li Jingyu shook her head, a strained smile on her pale face, then coughed up a mouthful of blood.
Ji Yutang was startled by her miserable state, guilt deepening in her eyes.
Li Jingyu and Ji Yutang exchanged glances, momentarily stunned by the other’s bewildered look.
She covered her mouth, coughed lightly, and proactively changed the subject, “Our magic power is sealed, and we’re at the seabed.
If we can’t find a solution, we’ll die here.”
“That’s a Taishi Qingyi Sealing Talisman, a technique of the Taishi Lineage.
I can’t break it.” Qin Ruoshui frowned deeply.
Among the Three Supreme Palaces, only the Taishi Lineage’s descendants were elusive, almost impossible to track.
He never expected Chi Dragon to have a talisman from the Taishi Lineage.
“Is there no other way?” Lin Heng asked unwillingly.
“Not exactly.” Qin Ruoshui shook his head, pondered for a moment, and said, “The talisman’s power will gradually dissipate, just wait for a while.” If they were in the Dao Palace, they wouldn’t worry, but now they’re at the seabed, can they really hold out? Qin Ruoshui’s brows furrowed, deep concern hidden in his eyes.
“Let’s find a cave to hide in first.” Lin Heng sighed, dejected.
Li Jingyu glanced at Ji Yutang but said nothing.
Their magic power was sealed, but Ji Yutang inherently had no magic power, so the talisman didn’t affect her much.
She had combat ability, but with her Mortal Transformation stage cultivation, she might not achieve much.
Li Jingyu thought for a while, then dismissed the idea.
Li Jingyu suddenly asked, “Has anyone from the Taishi Lineage come to the North Sea?”
Qin Ruoshui thought for a moment and replied, “Their lineage is unpredictable, the only recorded visit here was by a former Taishi Dao Palace descendant.” As soon as he finished speaking, Qin Ruoshui regretted it, glancing at Li Jingyu to see her emotions unchanged, he slightly relaxed.
“Taishi descendant?” Lin Heng looked at Qin Ruoshui in confusion, not being from the Three Supreme Palaces, he didn’t know that part of history.
Li Jingyu lowered her eyes and said calmly, “It’s my mother.
Back then, she caused a huge commotion in the North Sea, attracting six or seven true dragons to chase her.
If the Taishi Lineage’s talisman was leaked, it might have come from her hands.”
Lin Heng made a sound of acknowledgment but didn’t pursue the matter further.
Since entering the path of cultivation, he hadn’t been concerned with trivial matters, so he didn’t connect the “mother” Li Jingyu mentioned with the one who fell into demonic ways at the Taishi Dao Palace.
“If the talisman ended up in Chi Dragon’s hands, he might not know how to use it, right? Could someone be guiding him from behind?” Ji Yutang said softly.
Li Jingyu’s eyelids twitched.
Many past events had been deliberately suppressed by the Three Supreme Palaces and the Ran Family, almost unknown to anyone.
But as Li Jingyu, the daughter, she knew quite a bit, including things even Ran Jingri didn’t know.
Was Chi Dragon’s goal to annihilate them? She still remembered Chi Dragon’s bewildered expression when they were caught in the vortex.
Was it Chi Dragon who threw them here, or was it the talisman acting deliberately? Li Jingyu’s mind stirred as she tried to activate her own power, sensing it gradually returning, but still unable to use it.
Perhaps in another moment, everything would change.
As Li Jingyu furrowed her brows in thought, the moon phase in her Mind Palace suddenly changed, and a force urged her to go.
“Where are you going?” Ji Yutang’s voice brought Li Jingyu back to her senses, realizing she had unknowingly taken a few steps in another direction.
Li Jingyu pursed her lips and didn’t respond.
Ji Yutang looked at Li Jingyu, who seemed lost in thought, and opened her mouth, unsure of what to say.
After a while, she finally said something seemingly unrelated, “I’ll try.”
“What?” Li Jingyu was taken aback, looking at Ji Yutang in confusion.
Ji Yutang ignored her, and as the heavenly book in her Mind Palace turned, a golden-glowing Dao book slowly appeared behind her.
After several experiments, Ji Yutang understood that reciting the scriptures from the Daode Heavenly Book was actually using a divine ability called “Dao De Tian Yan.” However, each time she used it, her own power would be completely drained, leaving her without combat strength.
Although this divine ability was as lofty as the Dao itself, it wasn’t suitable for regular use in battle.
“To hold the ancient Dao, to govern the present existence.” As the Dao sound fell, the restriction placed on Li Jingyu by the talisman slowly dissolved.
The Daode Heavenly Book was the fundamental scripture of Tai Shang, representing the “ancient,” the “one,” the “ancestor of heaven and earth.” Unfortunately, Ji Yutang’s own level wasn’t high, so she could only remove the restriction on Li Jingyu.
“Tai Shang Dao?” Qin Ruoshui looked at Ji Yutang in surprise and uncertainty.
Although he didn’t recognize the Daode Heavenly Book, he could distinguish the aura of the Tai Shang scripture.
Ji Yutang was clearly using a method directly passed down from Tai Shang, but wasn’t the power here supposed to be sealed? And wasn’t she a Scattered Spirit Body? How could she still use Dao techniques? Could she have found a solution? Ji Yutang had no intention or obligation to resolve Qin Ruoshui’s doubts.
After the Daode Heavenly Book, which communicated with the lofty realm, disappeared behind her, her strength was also exhausted, and she was swept up in fatigue and drowsiness.
If Li Jingyu hadn’t reached out to support her, she might have collapsed to the ground.
Li Jingyu lowered her eyes, looking at Ji Yutang, who was half-leaning in her arms with a pale face, her expression complex.
She didn’t know what Dao Mother had left in the talisman, but she could sense her power returning, likely faster than others.
If Ji Yutang hadn’t done this, she could have broken free from the restriction herself.
“I—” A ripple suddenly rose in Li Jingyu’s heart, and she whispered in Ji Yutang’s ear, “I thought you didn’t like me.”
Ji Yutang was stunned, not expecting Li Jingyu to say such a thing.
Did she dislike Li Jingyu? If she were just Li Jingyu, “dislike” wouldn’t be the right word, but her true identity was Ran Guzhu, the one who had humiliated her.
She couldn’t be sure if the current Li Jingyu was showing her true face or a false one.
As for helping her break the restriction, it was just repaying a previous favor.
She remained silent for a long time, and when she finally gathered enough strength in her limbs, she broke free from Li Jingyu’s embrace, smiled slightly, and replied, “How could I?” She turned her back to Li Jingyu, unaware of her expression at that moment.
Li Jingyu’s expression softened, and she gently brushed aside a strand of hair, a hint of a smile in her eyes.
She looked at Qin Ruoshui and Lin Heng, who were staring blankly ahead, and said, “Senior brothers, let’s find a place to hide first.”
Qin Ruoshui nodded and replied, “Alright.” He had many doubts in his heart, but since it was Ji Yutang’s private matter, he couldn’t ask and could only dismiss those thoughts.
In the Sea Abyss, the terrain was rugged, rising and falling like mountains on land.
After Li Jingyu’s power was restored, she could use talismans and formation tools to create a safe illusion for Qin Ruoshui and Lin Heng.
As for herself, after sensing the movement of the moon phase in her Mind Palace, she had to go out and search for something related to the moon.
Qin Ruoshui sat cross-legged on a rock and suddenly saw Li Jingyu walking out.
He frowned and said, “Junior Sister Ran, where are you going?” His voice was neither loud nor soft, but it drew Lin Heng and Ji Yutang’s attention to Li Jingyu.
A dark light flashed in Li Jingyu’s eyes, and she turned to Qin Ruoshui with a smile, saying, “I’m going to take a look around to make sure there’s no hidden danger.”
Qin Ruoshui nodded at her words and didn’t ask further, saying, “Be careful, junior sister.”
This time coming to the North Sea, Sister Zhao had already had an accident.
If something happened to Junior Sister Ran as well, he wouldn’t know how to explain it to the elders of the Taiyuan Dao Palace.
After Li Jingyu left, the cave suddenly fell silent.
Ji Yutang closed her eyes, silently visualizing the divine dragon and using the surrounding Primordial Qi to cultivate.
As her cultivation progressed, a large patch of scales formed on her arm.
She could now transform her arm into a dragon claw, but transforming her entire body into a dragon was still a long way off.
Originally, she could have used external medicine to advance her cultivation, but in this perilous situation, it was not suitable to do so.
The three of them meditated until an hour later, and still, there was no sign of Li Jingyu returning.
Ji Yutang felt a growing sense of unease.
She suddenly stood up, her gaze fixed on the direction of the cave entrance.
At this moment, Qin Ruoshui also spoke, “Why hasn’t Junior Sister Ran come back yet?” His brows were tightly furrowed, his face full of worry.
“I’ll go take a look,” Ji Yutang said decisively.
“Daoist Friend Ji, you—” Lin Heng looked at her with concern, regretting that the power of the talisman hadn’t dissipated, leaving him unable to assist his fellow cultivator.
“Let her go,” Qin Ruoshui said, his eyes deep and unfathomable.
Ji Yutang had no interest in exploring Qin Ruoshui’s thoughts.
She quickly left the hiding place, but facing the vast sea, she was momentarily lost.
She didn’t know which direction Li Jingyu had gone or what her intentions were.
Her cultivation level didn’t allow her to traverse the sea freely, so she could only cautiously search the periphery.
After running a full circle without any results, Ji Yutang was about to return to the cave when she suddenly sensed a disturbance in the spiritual energy to the north.
The seawater was being compressed by some force, surging in waves in all directions.
Ji Yutang’s expression became serious, and after a moment of hesitation, she still flew towards that direction.
The battle in the sea stirred up waves and whirlpools, the seaweed and coral at the bottom were churned, spinning rapidly in the water and breaking into various colors.
Before Ji Yutang even got close, she saw the blood shadow fleeing in the water, her expression immediately tensing—this technique was clearly from a disciple of the Demon Sect.
And above, nine green beads formed a formation, sending down beams of light.
Under the control of the Jewel of the Rising Tides, those fleeing blood shadows had no chance of escaping from here.
Li Jingyu was indeed in this area.
Ji Yutang secretly breathed a sigh of relief, but immediately a deep worry surfaced.
The blood shadow approached, and from the blurry figure came a sharp, piercing wail.
Without thinking, Ji Yutang unleashed a Dragon Thunder.
The thunder technique, a symbol of heavenly punishment, was most effective against such evil entities.
After the thunder rolled, the blood shadow only had time to let out a scream before it was completely obliterated.
Li Jingyu was engaged in a duel with a Tianhai Demon Sect foundation establishment cultivator.
He was no match for Li Jingyu and had little will to fight.
With all escape routes cut off, he had no way to flee.
He glared at Li Jingyu in frustration and shouted angrily, “Ji Yue Saintess, what do you mean by this? Is Huoxin Palace trying to oppose my Tianhai Demon Sect?” Li Jingyu had heard such taunts many times and had no intention of responding.
But when the sound of the Dragon Thunder reached her ears, she realized Ji Yutang was nearby.
She sneered and said, “What Ji Yue? I am Taiyuan Palace’s true disciple, Ran Guzhu!” The demon cultivator stared at Li Jingyu, his pupils shrinking suddenly.
He was not an important figure in the Demon Sect and was unaware of the Ran Family’s affairs.
Hearing Li Jingyu’s words, he himself felt a bit doubtful.
Ran Guzhu had no intention of letting him chatter on.
Amidst the water currents, lightning flickered, and suddenly a net of thunder opened up—the Lunar Heavenly Heart Thunder rolled through the water, and anything caught in the net was completely annihilated! Li Jingyu flicked her sleeve, the waves swept away the dense blood aura, and she turned to land beside Ji Yutang, asking, “Why did you come over?” Ji Yutang replied, “You’ve been out for a while, everyone is worried.”
“Everyone?” Li Jingyu raised an eyebrow, her tone slightly teasing.
She gazed at Ji Yutang with a smile, “And what about you?” Ji Yutang averted her eyes, avoiding Li Jingyu’s gaze filled with amusement, and changed the subject, “Why are Tianhai Demon Sect cultivators here? Do they have some plan again?” Li Jingyu shook her head, “I don’t know.”
Ji Yutang glanced at Li Jingyu and couldn’t help but ask, “Why not leave one alive to question?” Li Jingyu said nothing.
Ji Yutang took a deep breath, softened her tone, and said, “Sorry, I wasn’t blaming you.”
Li Jingyu tilted her head, looking unconcerned, “Let’s go back first.
It’s impossible for there to be only one Demon Sect disciple here.
Once Brother Qin and Brother Lin recover their powers, we’ll act again.”
Ji Yutang nodded lightly.
Li Jingyu had actually already extracted the other party’s purpose from the demon cultivator’s mouth.
They came here to capture the “Taiyin Fiend.” However, this was destined to be futile, as the “Taiyin Fiend” of the North Sea had long been captured by her mother and planted entirely within her.
This secret was unknown even to her “good father.” The “Taiyin Fiend” had shaped her into a Taiyin Physique, making her cultivation of the “Taiyin” series of techniques much more effective, but it also meant she couldn’t cultivate other Daoist techniques.
Shortly after Li Jingyu and Ji Yutang left, a black-clad demon cultivator flew over, looked around, found no traces, shook his head, and returned.
In a stone cave somewhere in Sea Abyss.
A young black-clad cultivator stood with his hands behind his back, surrounded by a dense aura of malice, his eyes sharp as blades.
“Brother Zhang, Junior Brother Wu is dead, but no traces were found.” The demon cultivator who went out to gather information returned and bowed to the young cultivator.
“Never mind him for now.” The black-clad cultivator frowned and continued, “Finding the Taiyin Fiend is more important. Gao Cang has already brought back the Shebi Corpse, I can’t afford any mistakes here, lest I be outdone by him.”
This black-clad cultivator was a true disciple of the Tianhai Demon Sect, named Zhang Ren, and shared the same master as Gao Cang.
In the Demon Sect, fellow disciples often fought each other, and it was extremely brutal.
To gain more sect resources, he needed to make achievements and surpass Gao Cang.
The demon cultivator responded with a “yes,” paused, and then scratched his head, “But it’s been half a month with no results, Dragon Palace City might not wait any longer.
Brother Zhang, is the Taiyin Fiend really nearby?” Zhang Ren glanced at the demon cultivator indifferently, “Are you doubting the information given by our master?” The demon cultivator shivered at the words, quickly bowed to Zhang Ren, and retreated to continue searching for the Taiyin Fiend.
In an underwater cave not far away.
The power of the Taishi Qingyi Sealing Talisman gradually dissipated, and upon sensing a trace of mana returning, Qin Ruoshui and Lin Heng began actively erasing the unstable restraints left by the talisman.
Ji Yutang sat nearby, occasionally glancing at Li Jingyu, who was a few feet away, with a slight frown and a hint of doubt in her eyes.
“Do you have something you want to ask me?” Li Jingyu, aware of Ji Yutang’s gaze, sighed quietly, got up, walked over to Ji Yutang, and sat across from her.
She crossed her legs, rested her elbows on her knees, and propped her cheeks with her hands, looking very relaxed.
Ji Yutang frowned, the words “no” turned on her lips, but she swallowed them back.
She looked at Li Jingyu and said, “Yes.”
Li Jingyu smiled, “Ask away, I’ll answer everything I know.”
Ji Yutang didn’t quite believe Li Jingyu’s words, but too many doubts hindered her cultivation.
After a moment of consideration, she said, “I heard that demon cultivator call you Ji Yue? And Huoxin Palace, isn’t that one of the demon sects?” Li Jingyu squinted her eyes, nonchalantly, “Yes, one of the four major Demon Sects.”
Ji Yutang looked at Li Jingyu, somewhat dissatisfied.
Huoxin Palace being a Demon Sect was common knowledge, even a three-year-old child knew that.
She wasn’t asking about that.
Li Jingyu, observing Ji Yutang’s expression, saw her displeasure and decided not to tease her anymore, half-truthfully said, “They mistook me for someone else.”
Ji Yutang asked suspiciously, “Mistook?” Li Jingyu’s eyes glimmered, “Don’t you know about my family’s affairs?” Ji Yutang: “…” Well, she indeed didn’t know much, some things her father wouldn’t tell her either.
Li Jingyu said, “You know my mother is surnamed Li, right?” Ji Yutang nodded, the name “Li Jingyu” was her mother’s surname combined with her Daoist title, right? Li Jingyu glanced at Qin Ruoshui and Lin Heng, seeing they were deep in meditation and wouldn’t hear their conversation, she turned her gaze back.
She began to speak, “My mother’s name was Li Qingxun, a descendant of Taishi Dao Palace, but she went astray while cultivating the Tai Shang Dao Sutra and fell into the demonic path, similar to those from Wangqing Sect.”
Ji Yutang was taken aback.
The affairs of Ran Guzhu’s mother were always avoided by both families, so there were such things involved.
Could it be because she resembled her mother that the Demon Sect mistook her? But earlier, that demon cultivator mentioned Huoxin Palace, not Wangqing Sect? Her thoughts were in turmoil, and Li Jingyu calmly dropped a bombshell.
“A descendant of Taishi falling into the demonic path is no small matter, so my father, along with the Three Supreme Palaces, executed my mother.”
“What?” Ji Yutang’s expression changed, unable to control her emotions.
Sister Shen from Bailu Academy, upon knowing a fellow disciple had fallen into the demonic path, still tried every means to save her, yet the Three Supreme Palaces and Senior Ran chose direct execution? In past hypothetical scenarios, she also chose “sacrificing family for the greater good,” but it was unrelated to herself, so it was easy to say.
Now, putting herself in that senior’s shoes, she felt a twinge of reluctance.
“No need to be surprised, she fell into the demonic path, didn’t she?” Li Jingyu said with a smile, her face showing no extra emotion.
Ji Yutang pressed her lips together, saying nothing.
Li Jingyu adjusted her posture and continued, “Let’s go on. I wasn’t present the day my mother was executed, but my sister witnessed it firsthand. The shock drove her into the demonic path as well. I don’t know how my father planned to deal with her. Eventually, she was rescued by the palace master of Huoxin Palace and became a demon cultivator. Over time, our Ran Family no longer had these two people.”
“You see, without them, the Ran Family is doing just fine, isn’t it? I have a new mother and never lack love.”
Ji Yutang: “…”
Li Jingyu’s calm demeanor gave her an inexplicable sense of horror.
Ji Yutang patted her head, trying to sort out her chaotic thoughts, and suddenly noticed something amiss.
Looking at Li Jingyu, she frowned and said, “Wait, where did you get a sister?”
Li Jingyu smiled and said, “I do have one. Her name is Ran Gutong, and we are twins. But after falling into demonic ways, she became a taboo, and no one mentions her anymore.”
Staring at the dazed Ji Yutang, she continued, “Now you should understand why they mistook you, right?” Ji Yutang replied, “Is that so?”
Li Jingyu reached out to adjust the grass braid hanging at Ji Yutang’s waist and lazily said, “If you don’t believe me, you can ask when you get home.”
Ji Yutang shook her head, overwhelmed by the secret that had been hidden for over a decade.
Her marriage contract with Ran Guzhu was set before she was even born, so if they were twins, which one was it for? This thought suddenly popped into Ji Yutang’s mind, and she stared blankly at Li Jingyu, feeling that things were becoming increasingly bizarre.
“Still confused?” Li Jingyu’s face suddenly appeared close, startling Ji Yutang out of her thoughts, causing her to instinctively lean back.
Li Jingyu quickly grabbed her, pulling her into her embrace, almost pressing against the back of her head, and said leisurely, “If you still have questions, why not take a trip back to Tianshui? There are some things I can’t answer, like why our families arranged a marriage. According to the stories, it’s always a man and a woman forming a union, but if both are girls, it’s a sworn sisterhood.”
“I—” Ji Yutang buried her head in Li Jingyu’s embrace, the soft warmth making her cheeks flush, and she felt as if all her strength had been drained, leaving her leaning stiffly against Li Jingyu, unable to speak for a long time.
“Daoist Friend Ji, what are you two—” Lin Heng’s slightly puzzled voice suddenly came through.
Li Jingyu blinked and released Ji Yutang.
Ji Yutang shivered, hurriedly getting up, but realizing her face must be red, she sat back down, covering her cheeks with her hands.
Li Jingyu turned to Lin Heng and asked, “Senior Brother Lin, can you circulate your magic freely now?” Lin Heng’s thoughts were diverted by Li Jingyu’s words.
He stood up, stretched his muscles, and nodded, “Recovered.” After a pause, he added, “Losing magic power was really tough.
I wonder when Senior Brother Qin will recover?” Li Jingyu said, “It should be soon, right?” Lin Heng nodded.
With the Demon Sect cultivators nearby, being without magic was indeed dangerous.
They didn’t have to wait long.
After a stick of incense, Qin Ruoshui’s robe shook, emitting a brilliant spiritual light.
He stood up calmly and nodded towards Lin Heng and the others.
Having already learned about the Tianhai Demon Sect from Li Jingyu earlier, as a true disciple of the Taiyuan Dao Palace, he couldn’t stand by idly.
Qin Ruoshui said, “I suspect Chi Dragon has colluded with the demonic cultivators, so matters on Sister Zhao’s side will have to wait.”
Thinking of the fellow cultivators who had been captured, Lin Heng felt a bit heavy-hearted, hesitating for a moment before nodding.
Just as they were about to go out and search for the demonic cultivators, the formation outside the cave was suddenly triggered, sending ripples outward.
“Senior Brother Zhang, there’s a formation here.
Could the Taiyin Fiend be hiding here?” a demonic cultivator shouted, his voice echoing.
Although they had water-repelling pearls, being land dwellers, staying underwater for long was inevitably oppressive.
Zhang Ren flew over at the sound, and with just a glance, he realized what was happening.
He stepped back and raised his voice, “The aura of Immortal Sect cultivators!” It was too late to escape now.
The demonic cultivator closest to the formation was struck by an unending sword light and lost his life instantly.
“Taiyuan Golden Fire Life Sword? Qin Ruoshui?” Zhang Ren’s expression turned extremely grim as he glared at the person flying out of the cave, his whole body tensed.
Among the current generation of Taiyuan Dao Palace disciples, Qin Ruoshui was the most outstanding, with a chance to lead the Taiyuan Dao Palace in the future.
The Taiyuan Golden Fire Life Sword he cultivated was the supreme sword technique of the Taiyuan Dao Palace.
However, now in the water, the power of the golden fire might not be fully unleashed.
Zhang Ren’s mind raced, considering the possibility of eliminating him.
Now they were all at the Foundation Establishment Stage, but once he achieved the Human Immortal Dao Fruit and became a Golden Core cultivator, it would be much harder to deal with him.
“Indeed, they are from the Tianhai Demon Sect.” Lin Heng glared at Zhang Ren and his group, speaking angrily.
“Tianhai Demon Sect disciples are up to no good, just kill them.” Li Jingyu chuckled lightly, not afraid of Zhang Ren recognizing her, and walked out openly.
When Zhang Ren saw Qin Ruoshui, his expression was solemn, but upon seeing Li Jingyu’s face, his eyes filled with shock.
However, this shock subsided when Qin Ruoshui addressed Li Jingyu as “Junior Sister Ran.” Zhang Ren quickly thought of the Ran Family’s situation, his eyes flickering as he sneered, “Alright, it’s you people ruining my Demon Sect’s plans.
Today, you’ll leave your lives here!” This mission was not easy, and accompanying Zhang Ren were not only cultivators in the Mortal Transformation Stage but also three in the Foundation Establishment Stage.
They eyed Ji Yutang and her group greedily, knowing that the Dao bodies of Immortal Sect cultivators were much more desirable than those of mortals.
“Attack!” Zhang Ren commanded, his magic power surging, releasing a large mass of sticky black mist.
The mist spread into the water, quickly turning the area into inky darkness.
With visibility reduced to zero and their senses obscured, Qin Ruoshui, Lin Heng, and their group were scattered within moments.
Ji Yutang stood calmly in place.
Perhaps because she wasn’t a disciple of a major sect and lacked the aura of the Foundation Establishment Stage, the enemy didn’t take her seriously, only sending a Mortal Transformation Stage demonic cultivator to block her.
The opponent wielded a black blade, almost blending with the sea, its light hidden in the darkness, ready to strike from another direction at any moment.
With her senses blocked, an ordinary cultivator would find it difficult to detect danger without breaking through this technique.
However, Ji Yutang practiced dragon techniques, and controlling water was instinctual.
Even the water tainted by the black mist could serve as her antennae, transmitting the fluctuations of magic power.
Strange sounds came from all directions, and Ji Yutang remained composed, suddenly reaching back to grasp.
The blade light collided with her dragon claw, shattering into fragments in an instant.
Ji Yutang immediately counterattacked, striking the spot where the demonic cultivator stood with a “Divine Firmament Pure Dragon Thunder.” The thunder roared, dispersing the cries of evil spirits and clearing a patch of black mist.
Ji Yutang watched ahead, arranging Dragon Thunder around her, so anyone approaching would be struck by the thunder technique.
In the surging tides, Heavenly Heart Thunder and Dragon Thunder intertwined, lightning flickering, outlining a domain of thunder.
A Foundation Establishment Stage cultivator could withstand a strike from Dragon Thunder, but touching the waterborne Dragon Thunder caused a slight paralysis.
Zhang Ren’s opponent was Qin Ruoshui, who only practiced swordsmanship.
In his moment of distraction, several sword lights struck him unopposed, severing his left arm directly!
