After Li Jingyu left, Ji Yutang still couldn’t shake off the embarrassment and awkwardness.
She didn’t know that during her cultivation, she would transform into a small White Dragon and unconsciously lean towards Li Jingyu.
Although she bore the title of “fiancée,” she knew the other party was unwilling, and she couldn’t let it go either.
With a gentle sigh, Ji Yutang thought to herself that even though Li Jingyu seemed unbothered, it was indeed inappropriate for them to be together.
Once the matter of the North Sea was resolved, they could part ways, and everything could return to normal, right? As for the revenge plan she had previously devised, Ji Yutang hesitated for a moment, showing some reluctance.
If the past “Ran Guzhu” had been like this, would she still harbor resentment? Ji Yutang was a bit lost, unable to find an answer.
Taking a deep breath, she suppressed all her floating thoughts and refocused on her cultivation.
The second step for a Qi Dao cultivator is Foundation Establishment, and for her cultivation of dragon skills, it corresponds to “Armor Building.” After achieving this step, one can transform into a dragon, but it is form without spirit.
Only upon reaching the “Pearl Formation” level and forming a dragon core can one truly become a real dragon.
She could now transform into a dragon, though it was less than a foot long, which theoretically equated to “Foundation Establishment,” but she always felt something was missing.
Although the “True Dragon Transformation Scripture” had annotations from the Heavenly Dragon, the predecessors cultivated with a demon body, which was somewhat different from her situation.
Ji Yutang pondered for a long time before recalling what Li Jingyu said before leaving—she mentioned the “Daode Heavenly Book.” Qi Dao cultivators visualize their Life-Bound Artifact, storing thoughts in the Mind Palace.
However, during her mortal transformation, the divine dragon occupied the Life-Bound Artifact, coiling high in that place, allowing her to visualize it.
If it were just the divine dragon, it wouldn’t be a problem, but later, when she touched the high and distant place, the “Daode Heavenly Book” manifested in her Mind Palace.
Could this be a kind of Life-Bound Artifact? Similar to the scriptures of the Haoran Righteous Path? Perhaps it was because of it that she couldn’t truly step into the Foundation Establishment Stage? Once Ji Yutang’s thoughts started, they couldn’t be stopped.
The daily external medicine infusion couldn’t be reduced, and the cultivation of the “Daode Heavenly Book” was also put on the agenda.
She didn’t intend to use the method of consuming divine intent and chanting the Dao Sutra for cultivation but adopted a more stable approach of “transcribing.” After all, each time she wrote the Dao text, it was a step closer to the Dao, invisibly deepening her understanding of the Dao.
For the next two months, Ji Yutang stayed in the palace cultivating until she had written down a complete “Daode Heavenly Book” before she left the main hall.
These two palaces were particularly secluded, with abundant spiritual energy, making it an excellent place for quiet cultivation.
As she looked up, she saw the “full moon” hanging from the eaves, manifested with great magical power.
She had been contemplating the Taiyin, but wasn’t it the Big Dipper? Ji Yutang was a bit puzzled, but such matters were not easy to ask about.
Tidying her clothes, she stepped onto the crystal bridge and quickly walked to the hall where the solitary moon hung, reaching out to knock on the door.
“Daoist Friend Li,” Ji Yutang’s voice rang out.
“Come in.” As the clear voice sounded, the hall door slowly opened, revealing a world illuminated by bright pearls.
Li Jingyu sat on a meditation cushion, her long black hair draped smoothly over her shoulders, her expression calm and distant, like a landscape painting.
When Ji Yutang met those clear eyes, she was momentarily stunned, then collected her gaze and entered the hall.
She took out the “Daode Heavenly Book” from her sleeve and said, “I have rewritten a copy in Dao text.”
Hearing this, Li Jingyu felt a wave of emotion.
Ji Yutang had started writing before but had put it aside shortly after.
She hadn’t expected her to continue in the Dragon Palace without any apparent obstacles.
But what did it mean to place the “Daode Heavenly Book” in front of her now? Was it a test? Li Jingyu’s thoughts fluctuated, and after a while, she reached out to take the “Daode Heavenly Book,” saying calmly, “This is my mother’s relic.”
Ji Yutang was taken aback, not expecting Li Jingyu to say such a thing.
The “Daode Heavenly Book” was in her family’s library, along with other Daoist books, and she thought it was collected by her father, Ji Mingcheng.
Was it actually from the Ran Family? Indeed, Ran Guzhu’s mother was once a disciple of the Taishi Palace.
She lowered her eyes and said softly, “Then it is now returned to its rightful owner.” She didn’t want to fulfill the marriage contract with her, so the matters between the Ji Family and the Ran Family naturally needed to be separated.
Perhaps this Dao book was given to the Ji Family because of the marriage contract, so it should indeed be returned.
During this time, Li Jingyu had been with her, was it really just for the “Daode Heavenly Book”?
Li Jingyu noticed the change in Ji Yutang’s expression and put away the “Daode Heavenly Book,” blinking as she said, “Have you memorized the Dao text inside?” Ji Yutang frowned and said stiffly, “Don’t worry, I won’t rewrite the ‘Daode Heavenly Book.’ If you don’t like it, I can also stop practicing this technique.”
Li Jingyu, hearing Ji Yutang’s tone, knew she had misunderstood something and quickly said, “The Tai Shang’s teachings are for those who are destined, not exclusive to the Three Supreme Palaces.
Since you can understand the Dao text, it shows that the ‘Daode Heavenly Book’ aligns with your Dao, and no one will stop you from cultivating it.”
Ji Yutang didn’t respond, pursing her lips and hesitating for a while before asking, “When will we leave the Dragon Palace?” Li Jingyu thought for a moment and replied, “When the great ship from Guxin Island arrives at the North Sea.” The journey to the North Sea had indeed improved their cultivation, but relying solely on this was not enough to safely traverse the Xuanming Yin Region.
Speaking of which, the changes in the North Sea were all caused by the Demon God Stake, and with people from the Taishi Palace and the Haoran Righteous Path coming, they would surely resolve this issue.
“However, even the masters haven’t found a precise way to locate the Demon God Stake,” Li Jingyu broke the silence.
“That’s true,” Lin Heng murmured to himself.
After a moment, he looked up and said, “Wherever the Demon God Stake falls, strange things are bound to happen. We should investigate where odd occurrences are happening and head there. If it’s the Demon God Stake, great. If not, we can still solve a problem and bring peace to the mortals.”
Talking about slaying demons and exorcising evil, Lin Heng was particularly excited, speaking eloquently and at length.
Since returning to Guxin Island from the North Sea, Lin Heng had mentioned many things related to demonic cultivators.
Qin Ruoshui and Li Jingyu remained indifferent, while Ji Yutang listened with great interest, gaining a lot of knowledge.
She was a Scattered Spirit Body, almost unrelated to the Dao in the eyes of others.
Therefore, at home, the information she received was what her parents allowed her to hear, with more harsh truths deliberately hidden.
After some time, the large boat docked steadily at the Zhou Family’s territory on Guxin Island.
“This place is near the Spring and Autumn Heaven Palace.
We can inquire at the academy,” Lin Heng stepped off the boat steadily, turning to the group behind him, including Ji Yutang.
Previously, due to Li Jingyu, Ji Yutang was reluctant to travel with them, but after hearing so much about the misdeeds of demonic cultivators, her personal matters were pushed to the back of her mind.
She nodded towards Lin Heng and said, “We can go to Bailu Academy to find Senior Sister Yan and the others.”
Just as everyone decided to head to Bailu Academy for information, Li Jingyu’s voice suddenly rang out, “You all go ahead.
I won’t be joining you from here on.”
Ji Yutang turned abruptly to look at Li Jingyu, her expression full of surprise and confusion.
Qin Ruoshui frowned and said, “Junior Sister Ran, where are you going?” Li Jingyu smiled and said, “I have some personal matters to attend to.”
“Personal matters?” Qin Ruoshui looked at Li Jingyu suspiciously, frowning, “Could it be more important than training? Junior Sister Ran, you—”
“No need to say more, Senior Brother,” Li Jingyu interrupted him, not intending to waste words with Qin Ruoshui.
She cupped her hands and said, “Farewell.” With that, she turned into a blue streak of light and disappeared from their sight.
Qin Ruoshui’s eyelids twitched, feeling uneasy.
In the North Sea, he had already felt that Junior Sister Ran was acting strangely.
He glanced at the bewildered Lin Heng and then at the frowning Ji Yutang, saying, “Daoist Friend Ji, don’t you think Junior Sister Ran is… a bit strange?” Ji Yutang chuckled lightly.
He had the nerve to ask her.
She glanced at Qin Ruoshui calmly and said indifferently, “Hasn’t she always been peculiar and unpredictable?”
Qin Ruoshui felt a blockage in his heart upon hearing Ji Yutang’s cold words.
He looked at Ji Yutang seriously and suddenly saw a hint of resentment in those eyes.
She hadn’t shown such emotions when Junior Sister Ran was around.
Could he have been mistaken? Qin Ruoshui thought for a moment and looked at Ji Yutang again.
“Senior Brother Qin, why are you staring at Daoist Friend Ji?” Lin Heng waved a hand in front of Qin Ruoshui, speaking curiously.
Seeing Qin Ruoshui return to his senses, he continued, “Since Junior Sister Ran has matters to attend to, let’s go, the three of us.”
Elsewhere.
Li Jingyu traveled using her magic until she reached an inn with a banner reading “Fortune Comes.” She stopped, tidied her clothes, and walked leisurely into the inn.
Approaching the innkeeper, she conjured a token in her hand.
The innkeeper’s eyes changed instantly, and his previously lazy posture straightened.
He walked briskly from behind the counter to lead the way for Li Jingyu.
The illusionary formation in the courtyard dissolved layer by layer, and the scene before them changed abruptly.
“Greetings, Ji Yue,” the innkeeper’s form changed in the hidden space, bowing to Li Jingyu.
Li Jingyu waved her hand, smiling, “No need for formalities.” After a pause, she continued, “How is the person I asked you to watch over? Have you obtained the writing with her divine sense? Why did you send me a message saying she’s almost impossible to contain?”
“We haven’t obtained it,” the innkeeper replied with a hint of embarrassment.
He lowered his head, full of fear, and said, “Although the female cultivator is imprisoned, her cultivation continues to grow.
Our magic is limited, and if we don’t restrict her, she might send a message out.”
Li Jingyu acknowledged with a sound and dismissed the innkeeper.
The Taiyuan Beidou Scripture had its wonders, allowing one to contemplate the Big Dipper in the Mind Palace.
Even if Ran Guzhu was confined in a place without sunlight, as long as the Big Dipper rose as usual, she could meditate and cultivate.
To obscure the stars and moon required immense magic, which Li Jingyu couldn’t achieve with her current cultivation.
Ran Guzhu’s cultivation was growing faster than expected, and she had underestimated this “good sister.”
Putting on a mask to cover her face, Li Jingyu slowly walked towards the “prison.” The small space only had room for a bed and a stone table, with dark glowing talismans pasted on all sides, likely to prevent Ran Guzhu from escaping.
“Who are you? Why have you trapped me here?” Ran Guzhu asked upon hearing footsteps, looking up at the person standing outside, a strange unease rising in her heart.
Li Jingyu chuckled lightly, speaking nonchalantly, “Who do you think would do this?”
Ran Guzhu’s face darkened.
How could she not resist the demonic talismans? She stared at Li Jingyu and said, “Are you opposing the Taiyuan Dao Palace?”
Li Jingyu sneered, “Aren’t we of the Demon Sect always enemies of the Eight Great Immortal Sects?”
Ran Guzhu’s face remained stern, “What do you want? I’m trapped here, but the Taiyuan Dao Palace and the Ran Family will eventually find out. Can you avoid them with your skills?”
She looked at the person outside, easily sensing the same Foundation Establishment level of magic power.
Li Jingyu spoke slowly, “It seems they care about you.”
Ran Guzhu frowned, unable to grasp the intentions of the masked person outside.
She hadn’t seen the person many times, but she could tell they held a leading position among the demonic cultivators.
She initially thought they would kill her, but they didn’t.
They just imprisoned her here, cutting off her contact with the outside world.
“What do you want?” Ran Guzhu asked calmly.
Li Jingyu replied, “Would you give me whatever I want?” Seeing Ran Guzhu frown, she smiled wickedly and said, “What if I want your identity and status?”
Ran Guzhu panicked, unable to pinpoint the source of her fear.
Taking a deep breath, she steadied herself and said, “My father and mother won’t let you go!”
“Mother?” Li Jingyu’s eyes turned sharp, her tone becoming light and ethereal.
Ran Guzhu looked into her deep eyes, feeling a bit dazed.
She nodded and said, “My father is a true disciple of the Spring and Autumn Heaven Palace, and my mother is from the Taiyuan Dao Palace—”
“Shut up!” Li Jingyu’s eyes were filled with intense anger.
After her mother’s fall, Ran Jingri married the Taiyuan Dao Palace disciple Wang Shenyu.
The former sword hero now lived a happy and content life in his own paradise?
“How could your mother be Wang Shenyu?”
Ran Guzhu’s face turned pale.
Her biological mother was indeed not Wang Shenyu but someone who had become a “taboo” in the Ran Family.
Those who knew wouldn’t mention her name, but their gazes always carried a hint of pity or even resentment.
How could her mother be someone who fell into demonic ways?
“You, you are—” A thought flashed like lightning, and Ran Guzhu suddenly stood up, walking to the edge of the prison.
She reached out, almost touching the clothes of the person outside, “Ran, Ran Gutong?!”
The Demon Sect had always killed Immortal Sect disciples or used them as cauldrons.
Imprisoning her in a corner and wanting to take her identity, there was only one person! Her sister, who had followed their mother down the same path!
Li Jingyu chuckled, removing her mask to reveal a face identical to Ran Guzhu’s.
Staring at the imprisoned Ran Guzhu, she said, “You’re not stupid.”
Ran Guzhu’s mind was in chaos.
That sister was just like their mother, unmentionable.
Almost everyone had forgotten her existence! They even thought she had perished! But in reality, she was living well in the Demon Palace.
Ran Guzhu let out a cry, stumbling back a few steps.
She held her head, and after a long time, she asked in panic, “What do you want to do?”
Li Jingyu’s eyes darkened, speaking in a deep voice, “Naturally, to avenge our mother.”
Ran Guzhu looked up, staring at Li Jingyu, “Mother, mother fell into demonic ways. She was a demonic cultivator, deserving of death by everyone!”
Li Jingyu sneered, “But I’m also a demon, aren’t I?”
Ran Guzhu was stunned.
Yes, Ran Gutong was also a demonic cultivator.
Wasn’t it natural for her to stand on the same side as their mother? No, this news must be sent back.
Father must know that Ran Gutong has returned!
Li Jingyu smiled at Ran Guzhu, “You want to send a message to Ran Jingri, don’t you?”
Seeing the person opposite turn pale, she said maliciously, “Go ahead, let him know you’re here, and have him and Wang Shenyu come to rescue you—”
The person opposite was like a reflection in a mirror, full of sinister malice.
Ran Guzhu was as pale as paper, trembling all over.
If she dared to say this, she must have set up a trap here.
By then, if the Demon Sect appeared to besiege her father, the Ran Family might be completely wiped out.
“You, you want to kill your father!”
“Heh,” Li Jingyu sneered, “I only have a mother.”
“You, you—”
“You stay here. I won’t stop you from cultivating, I’ll wait for you to break out and send a message back to the Ran Family.”
Ran Guzhu sat dazedly on the stone bed.
It wasn’t until Li Jingyu’s figure completely disappeared that she reacted.
She quickly rushed to the iron bars, but the talismans above repelled her, leaving burn marks on her hands.
She couldn’t directly notify the Ran Family, but what if she used the Taiyuan Dao Palace? With demonic cultivators here, they would surely eliminate them, right? Ran Guzhu’s mind suddenly moved.
Li Jingyu left the prison, standing under the eaves for a long time, suppressing the rising sinister aura.
She took a deep breath, her expression returning to indifference.
After finding the innkeeper, she instructed, “Focus on her in the coming days.
She might try to send a message out.
When that happens, intercept it and extract the divine intent.”
The Xuanming Water is in hand, but the whereabouts of the Three Light Divine Water are unknown.
It seems to be in the possession of the Taiyuan Dao Palace.
Previously, she tried to get information from Qin Ruoshui, but he probably doesn’t know.
It might require a higher-level cultivator to understand.
She needs to use the handwriting and divine intent of “Ran Guzhu” to gather information from Wang Shenyu.
