Within the magnolia space, as Jian Dan resumed her cultivation, everything slowly calmed. The gentle radiance of the magnolia continued to glow in her sea of consciousness, while the jade tablet of the Purple Palace stood tall at its center.
The magnolia space gradually drifted toward the jade tablet. As it aligned overhead, threads of golden karmic light spiraled outward. When they finally touched, waves surged through her sea of consciousness, like clouds roiling in a storm.
Protected by a halo of karmic light, Jian Dan remained unaware of the changes within her spiritual sea. She continued drawing in spiritual energy, while deep within, the magnolia space began its slow fusion with the Purple Palace.
The cultivation method from the Void Refinement stage of the Primordial Chaos Art had long since branded itself into her consciousness. The mantra echoed: refine void, merge with the Dao. All is illusion. All can be transformed. You are the void. The void is you. You exist everywhere, and everywhere is you.
Spiritual energy laced with golden flecks surged into Jian Dan's meridians. The Yin-Yang Taiji disk within her dantian finally released its restraint, devouring spiritual energy with abandon to replenish what had been nearly exhausted.
Back in the Royal Temple, Abbot Huì Míng had rushed to the lotus pond as soon as the young monk gave his report.
As expected, the powerful one who had been resting there had vanished without a trace. Yet the lotus blossoms remained vivid and bright. The largest bloom in the center of the lake swayed lightly in the breeze, as if greeting him.
"Amitabha," Huì Míng chanted softly. He beckoned to the young monk, Jiekōng.
"Jiekōng, continue tending the pond as usual. If that expert returns, inform me immediately. Also, do not allow anyone else in."
"Understood, Abbot. Not even the royal family?"
"No one," Huì Míng said calmly.
"Yes, I understand." Jiekōng bowed, then rowed his small boat across the lake to begin cleaning.
Not far away, a shadowy figure cloaked in black observed the scene. Like a wisp of smoke, he stepped onto a single falling leaf and vanished into the forest.
Jian Dan remained unaware of all of this. Her focus was entirely inward, gathering spiritual energy to refill her depleted reserves.
Seven years had passed since the Chengli Secret Realm had closed. When it had suddenly opened early, cultivators were given only three years inside. At the end of that time, those who survived were expelled, the portal sealing itself and vanishing once more.
Inside the secret realm, Cao Chenfeng had gained countless opportunities. He had firmly stabilized his cultivation at the late Nascent Soul stage. Though capable of attempting a breakthrough to Divine Transformation, he deliberately held back.
During those three years, Du Yanran had repeatedly tried to approach Cao Chenfeng. He refused her every time. Eventually, he teamed up with Hua Xi and Hua Lei, targeting her opportunities and making her time inside unbearable.
Their paths finally crossed again in the Fulong Mountains. Hua Xi and Hua Lei posed as Senior Sister and Junior Brother, continuing to follow Du Yanran.
But before long, they realized something strange. This fellow Daoist Cao was… peculiar. Du Yanran had showered him with charm, yet it was like flirting with a blind man. Not only did he ignore her, he kept her at arm's length like she carried plague.
From the moment they met, Cao Chenfeng disliked her. Though beautiful and outwardly composed, he felt alarm bells the moment she got close. Something deep inside him warned him off.
The contrast with Hua Xi was stark. Her presence didn't provoke that same reaction. In fact, their cooperation had been fairly smooth. Though they didn't fully trust each other, neither tried to sabotage the other either.
This only fueled Du Yanran's frustration. She didn't understand it herself. Something about Cao Chenfeng pulled her in, like a resonance in her cultivation method that activated whenever she neared him. But he refused to let her confirm it.
During one fight, the four of them faced a peak fourth-rank red fox. Under its illusion spell, Cao Chenfeng nearly fell for Du Yanran's trap.
Just as she moved in for the kill, Lei Teng acted fast, jolting Cao Chenfeng out of the illusion. When he looked up and saw Du Yanran disrobing under the fox's spell, he slashed without hesitation.
Du Yanran reeled in shock. She had used the fox's illusion and secretly added Hehuan Incense. Yet Cao Chenfeng had broken free so quickly.
Feigning injury, she stumbled back, clutching her torn robes, weeping pitifully like the one wronged. Though she said nothing, every gesture implied that he had taken advantage and should now take responsibility.
Cao Chenfeng's expression darkened. He downed a Wanxiang Pill in silence, one that Mo Yue had gifted him. He had originally planned to return it with the treasures he'd obtained, but now, he could only clench his jaw and swallow it down. He could already picture Mo Yue's half-smile, half-mocking expression.
Du Yanran, spotting the rare antidote pill, was stunned. Wanxiang Pills, which counter advanced Hehuan Incense, were nearly impossible to come by.
Hua Xi's eyes sparkled as she stepped in.
"Daoyou Du, what's with all the tears? You're the one who nearly stole our Cao Daoist's Yuan Yang. Don't act like you're the victim."
Her words made the air tense. Hua Lei added with a smirk, "Senior Sister, you really say the most inconvenient truths. Everyone knows the Hehuan Incense is a trademark of the Yin-Yang Sect."
Du Yanran froze. Her heart skipped a beat. Meanwhile, Cao Chenfeng stood up and slowly approached her.
Hua Xi and Hua Lei were clearly enjoying the show.
"Get lost," Cao Chenfeng said coldly.
A blast of sword qi shot forth, blasting Du Yanran out of the cave. The force tore through her robes, drawing blood as she tumbled across the mountainside.
Eyes filled with venom, she made to retaliate. A black aura flickered on her forehead.
Just then, the red fox pounced, licking its lips and dragging her back into an illusion. It relished conflict among humans—such chaos always worked to its advantage.
Inside the cave, the trio watched Du Yanran descend into madness. Her expression twisted as she lashed out blindly, her ribbons smashing stone and mountain alike. Within the hour, the entire landscape was in ruins.
"Junior Brother," Hua Xi said with a sly glance, "make sure you remember this. That delicate act of Du Daoyou's is all smoke and mirrors. She's not as fragile as she pretends. Be on guard next time, or…"
She left the rest unspoken, her meaning clear.
Cao Chenfeng's face remained grim. After detoxifying from the incense, he had finally understood. Du Yanran cultivated a dual cultivation method. She had been drawn to his pure Yang physique from the start.
His grandfather had discovered his unique constitution early on, pulling strings to send him to the Heavenly Sword Sect as an outer disciple. Becoming a sword cultivator had been both his grandfather's wish and his own pursuit of the Dao. Only by growing stronger could he protect those he cared about and fulfill his promise.
That encounter with Mo Yue had unsettled him. He had feared she saw through him, would try to turn him into a walking furnace. Yet she had defended him instead, helping him escape humiliation.
Now, Du Yanran had tried the same thing, but with no subtlety at all. She had thrown away her dignity to exploit the fox's illusion and seduce him.
He found it disgusting.
Du Yanran eventually broke free of the illusion, only to find the cave in shambles and no one inside.
Clenching her jaw, she turned to leave, flinging a cloud of powder into the air as she went.
"What a venomous woman," Hua Xi muttered. "Let's go. We need to leave immediately."
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Hehehe~
So Mo Su with Cao Chenfeng (=`ω´=)