Chapter 153: Pretending? Impossible! Absolutely Impossible!
Inside the room.
Su Miaoyin, lying on the bed, was drenched in sweat. Her face, however, regained a faint flush. As Yun Yao slowly withdrew the force from her palm, Su Miaoyin could not help but reveal a smile.
“Daoist Yun’s Water Yin Demonic Art was indeed unfathomably profound. My injuries have already improved greatly.”
The Water Yin Demonic Art also had miraculous effects in healing injuries.
“Earlier, that other me truly caused Daoist Yun trouble.”
At this moment, Su Miaoyin no longer bore the alluring, soul-stealing appearance from before. Instead, she appeared dignified and proper.
Hearing these words, Yun Yao only shook her head indifferently.
“One body, two souls. Daoist Su mainly cultivated thunder techniques, while the other cultivated divine soul techniques. Truly, it was exceedingly profound.”
Yun Yao secretly felt shocked. Although she had long known, only after personally treating her this time did she clearly realize how terrifying the power within Su Miaoyin’s body was.
Su Miaoyin cultivated the thunder arts known for their strongest offensive power, with violent and terrifying mana within her body. Yun Yao’s Water Yin Demonic Art even faintly felt suppressed.
Meanwhile, the other soul within her cultivated divine soul techniques, possessing incomparably powerful spiritual sense.
Such a dual-soul body was equivalent to two people cultivating together—complementing and assisting each other—their strength far surpassing ordinary cultivators of the same realm.
Su Miaoyin nodded apologetically. Toward that other self of hers, she only offered a guilty smile.
“I wonder what Daoist Yun has considered. Would you be willing to help me return to Tianxuan City? As for the Core Formation spirit item, I dare not boast recklessly, but in the future I will certainly spare no effort to assist Daoist Yun in forming her core.”
At this moment, Su Miaoyin straightened her clothes, sat properly at the bedside holding her horsetail whisk, and smiled at Yun Yao.
She once again raised the same proposal as before—whether the other party was willing to help her.
“Assist me in forming my core? Even the secret art of Master Lu that could improve spiritual root aptitude, you would be willing to part with it?”
Yun Yao countered. Before Su Miaoyin could respond, Yun Yao frowned and shook her head.
“Daoist Su, it is not that I am unwilling, but rather that I cannot help.”
“Giggle, Yun little sister, have you forgotten who it was that, while cultivating the Water Yin Demonic Art, fell into deviation and saved you? Who was it that, pitifully injured, hid in the water pool, only to be kindly rescued by elder sister…”
“And who was it that, while gravely injured and temporarily amnesiac, kept crying out…”
“Shut up!” Yun Yao’s gaze turned sharp, staring coldly at the suddenly changed Su Miaoyin.
The soul-stealing Su Miaoyin suddenly shifted back into a dignified demeanor, revealing an apologetic expression.
“Daoist Yun, I apologize.”
Yun Yao secretly cursed in her heart. The other woman must be doing this deliberately. She refused to believe Su Miaoyin could not control her other self.
“Daoist Su, this time I risked great danger to save you. I did not covet the Core Formation spirit item in your storage pouch. Was that not enough!?”
“Then consider it half repaid. This time, as long as Yun little sister escorts me back, the old man has many treasures. Would you like Core Formation insights? Would you like improved spiritual roots? Perhaps you do not want them, but don’t you want to ask your lover? I hear that this Lin elder brother of yours only has a low-grade spiritual root. Tsk, tsk. Just think—after a hundred years, Yun little sister would have already formed her core, while this Lin elder brother would be gray-haired…”
“Shut up!”
A terrifying cold aura spread out. Yun Yao struggled and hesitated for a long time, while Su Miaoyin only gazed at her calmly.
When Yun Yao’s gaze fell upon Su Miaoyin’s storage pouch at her waist, she could not help but feel tempted, swallowing down a mouthful of saliva.
That was a Core Formation spirit item!
“What a pity!”
In the end, Yun Yao let out a sigh. After she had treated Su Miaoyin, she had already missed the best opportunity.
Besides—
Thinking of this, Yun Yao secretly cast a glance at her counterpart, sinking into thought. If she had acted earlier, would she really have obtained it?
“This matter is of great importance. I still need to discuss it with my companion, Daoist Lin. If it does not work, I will escort you alone. But afterwards, you will owe me alone!”
“Oh my, calling him Daoist Lin sounds so cold. How come I remember someone calling out ‘Brother Lin, Brother Lin’ endlessly before…”
Behind came a soft, teasing laugh, while Yun Yao walked away coldly.
Only when no one remained did the mocking smile on Su Miaoyin’s face slowly fade away.
“Elder sister, this Yun girl may appear cold but is warm at heart. As long as you treat her sincerely, she would give you her heart and lungs. She’s easy to deceive. But the other one is cunning—you must be careful.”
“Younger sister, speak cautiously. I am friends with Daoist Yun.” The dignified Su Miaoyin let out a helpless sigh, full of helplessness toward her other self.
Perhaps it had something to do with her past experiences with Yun Yao.
But what did she mean by easy to deceive? She was sincerely making friends!
“Elder sister, do you think this time no one will be able to resist temptation? If so, I fear Yun little sister will be heartbroken. After all, this concerns her Lin elder brother…”
“If he cannot resist temptation, that would be fortunate for Daoist Yun.”
Su Miaoyin spoke with calm composure.
Now that she and Yun Yao were standing on the same side, if the other party could not resist temptation, it would be equivalent to betraying Yun Yao.
Better to recognize it sooner.
…
“What!? Su Miaoyin is in your room?”
Lin Chang’an, who had been packing to return to Tianxuan City, was shocked by the explosive news Yun Yao had brought.
Seeing Yun Yao’s grave expression, even Lin Chang’an felt his heart thumping wildly.
Su Miaoyin—she was the one the entire Yue Kingdom was currently searching for.
She carried a Core Formation spirit item. Both of the two major sects wanted to seize it.
With it, one could become the son-in-law of the number one rogue cultivator, Master Lu, and inherit Tianxuan City’s vast enterprises.
At the very least, one could silence her, seize the Core Formation spirit item, and flee to another country to cultivate in peace.
But instead…
The two fell into silence. Lin Chang’an frowned tightly, both grateful for Yun Yao’s trust and weighing the pros and cons.
Helping her return to Tianxuan City would undoubtedly yield great rewards.
But it was also extremely risky!
Wealth was sought in danger, yet it was also lost in danger.
He was naturally gifted and possessed ancient opportunities. He had no need to risk so much.
“Brother Lin, Daoist Su once saved my life.”
Yun Yao’s expression was silent. Though her heart also wavered at Su Miaoyin’s storage pouch, it was already too late—she had already saved her.
She had not originally intended to drag Lin Chang’an into this, but now she decided to reveal everything.
Otherwise, once Lin Chang’an learned the truth later, the trust between them would drop to the freezing point.
In that case, how could they still cooperate ten years later to explore the relic cave abodes of Core Formation cultivators?
Without even this much trust, what could be spoken of in the future?
Lin Chang’an fell silent after hearing this.
Yun Yao was someone who appeared cold but was warm inside. Otherwise, after twenty years apart, when they had met again at Elder Lu’s funeral, she still remembered their brief friendship of the past.
Although back then she also had thoughts of preparing for Foundation Establishment, judging by actions rather than motives, who could ever be perfect?
“Daoist Yun…”
Just as Lin Chang’an, after much thought, decided he did not wish to wade into this muddy water, suddenly a voice sounded outside the door.
“Daoist Lin, as long as you are willing to assist me, then once I return to Tianxuan City, the promises I made to Daoist Yun will also apply equally to Daoist Lin.”
When Su Miaoyin appeared, Yun Yao’s expression grew cold, clearly warning her. Meanwhile, Lin Chang’an’s heart clenched.
This terrifying aura!
No, it was not Su Miaoyin!
Though Su Miaoyin’s presence carried a strong sense of danger and was distinct, it was definitely not this terrifying. This aura was not something a human cultivator could emit.
Thanks to his ancient cultivation method, Lin Chang’an’s perception was sharp. His gaze inadvertently fell upon Su Miaoyin’s chest.
There was no mistake.
This terrifying aura reminded him of the danger of a third-rank demon beast. Though faint, he would never misperceive it.
Back when Zheng Centipede fought Master Lu, the aftermath of the battle between third-rank spirit pets had given him the same feeling.
It was not as strong as the Blackwater Turtle, but not much weaker than the Thousand-legged Centipede.
“Master Lu’s third-rank Blackwater Turtle is still in Tianxuan City. Could it be that he has another third-rank spirit pet hidden, and right now it is on Su Miaoyin?”
Thinking of Master Lu’s past, Lin Chang’an silently cursed in his heart. As expected, these old monsters who had lived for hundreds of years were all devious.
Each had more hidden cards than the last.
With the strongest Core Formation cultivators of the two sects already held at bay by Master Lu, then even if this venture carried some danger—could there possibly be anything more dangerous than a third-rank demon beast?
After all, among equal realms, demon beasts were generally stronger than cultivators.
“Daoist Su.”
Countless thoughts flashed across Lin Chang’an’s mind in an instant, but the next moment his expression turned solemn as he cupped his hands.
“Tianxuan City is the root of us rogue cultivators. Daoist Su, you did not despise my shallow cultivation before… I am willing to assist Daoist Yun in helping Daoist Su.”
When Yun Yao saw Lin Chang’an agree, she could not help but secretly let out a sigh of relief.
Although she had some confidence that Daoist Su surely still had hidden cards, this was only her intuition and speculation.
“In that case, many thanks to both Daoist friends.”
Su Miaoyin’s face was pale as she cupped her hands gratefully toward the two.
After that, the two began their preparations.
Yet in Lin Chang’an’s heart, calculations were running again. Su Miaoyin carried the aura of a third-rank demon beast.
Otherwise, he would never have stepped into this muddy water.
Perhaps this was truly an opportunity. This time, it seemed he was benefitting from Yun Yao’s fortune.
If not for Yun Yao, Su Miaoyin would never have come to him.
He still had that bit of self-awareness.
Clearly, Yun Yao and Su Miaoyin trusted each other more, and he was only brought along in passing.
Now, with the situation chaotic, though he would not betray or harm Daoist Su, he could still observe first.
If he could establish this connection smoothly, at the very least Tianxuan City’s high-level resources—especially that third-rank spirit liquid—would be of immense value to his Life-bound Spirit Plant.
“Even if the situation turns dire, their target is Daoist Su. Amid the chaos, relying on Blood Shadow Escape, even if facing a False Core cultivator, I would still have a chance to escape.”
Thinking this, Lin Chang’an nodded inwardly. At worst, he could change his appearance and flee to another country, living under a new identity.
Besides, which False Core cultivator would go mad enough to relentlessly pursue a mere rogue cultivator like him?
There was risk, but would there be none if he refused now?
Thinking this, Lin Chang’an glanced inadvertently at Su Miaoyin.
Ever since he learned her secret, risk had already been attached to him.
Earlier, Yun Yao’s actions had been seen clearly by him, which warmed his heart somewhat. It seemed Yun Yao was even more trustworthy.
…
Two days later, the small waves of beast tides in various places had gradually subsided.
But everyone knew this was merely the calm before the storm.
The true beast tide was still to come.
Outside Tianxuan City.
“Damn that old ghost Huang! This is what you call Master Lu’s turtle being on the verge of death? Decaying aura thickening?”
The Core Formation cultivator from the Shensword Sect glared furiously at the old ghost from Lihuo Palace. If not for his fast escape, he would have almost been killed.
The old ghost Huang, who was being cursed face-to-face, was also full of rage.
“Can you blame me? Who knew that this Lu Turtle, nearly at death’s door, still had such terrifying strength?”
After all, he was a legendary figure of his era, a Golden Core powerhouse who had made a name even in the Sea Abyss of Beasts. It was only natural his strength was extraordinary.
The two great sects, with their four Core Formation cultivators, were now each hiding miserably on mountaintops, glaring at one another despite mutual disdain.
One of the Golden Core elders, who had nearly been killed, still felt lingering fear as he recalled the battle. He could not help but speak out:
“Fellow Daoists, could it be that this Lu Turtle was only pretending all along?”
“Pretending!?”
The crowd looked at one another in shock. Then the old ghost Huang of Lihuo Palace immediately shook his head without hesitation.
“Impossible! Absolutely impossible!”
“This old thing came from a rogue background, fighting countless battles. It’s normal his strength is formidable. The aura of decay might fool others, but it can never fool my spirit beast.”
At that moment, the spirit beast on his shoulder squeaked and nodded, signaling that it had indeed sensed correctly.
Seeing the old ghost Huang so certain, the late-stage Core Formation cultivator of the Shensword Sect also frowned and nodded.
“Indeed, the aura of decay cannot be mistaken.”
As both sects’ strongest elders confirmed it, that elder also nodded inwardly, conceding that perhaps he had been mistaken.
…
Inside Tianxuan City.
Although Master Lu had battled the four Core Formation cultivators with astonishing strength, his aged appearance made it clear to all.
The legend of the number one rogue cultivator among the Seven Kingdoms—Master Lu of the Blackwater Turtle—was nearing its end.
Atop Tianxuan Peak.
While everyone assumed Master Lu was recuperating, he was in fact sitting lazily cross-legged on the back of the Blackwater Turtle, holding a bamboo pole and fishing for spiritual fish in the spiritual spring.
“A bunch of youngsters with no respect, actually ganging up on an old man nearly six hundred years old. If not for this old body still holding out, after so many consecutive battles, wouldn’t I need to rest for quite a while?”
Stroking his short beard, Master Lu narrowed his eyes, seemingly calculating something. Below, the third-rank Blackwater Turtle yawned, sticking its head into the spiritual spring and blowing bubbles.
“Let’s see how many double-hearted people we can fish out this time. As for Miaoyin, that girl has the Golden Devouring Rat protecting her. Even if she encounters a late Core Formation cultivator, she can still escape.”
At this thought, Master Lu’s eyes grew profound as he gazed deeply into the depths of the Yunwu Mountain Range.
“Beast tide… the Mystic Yin Old Devil of the previous generation… If not for you all, how much longer would it have taken me to discover this place? Only a pity for the spiritual veins of the Seven Kingdoms.
“This place suppresses the miasma of the Yunwu Mountain Range, having accumulated for countless years. Once it erupts, its power may affect the spiritual veins of all Seven Kingdoms…”
At that, Master Lu smiled faintly. In the world of cultivation, the weak were prey to the strong—so it had always been.
And if he succeeded, it would also be a fortune for the Seven Kingdoms.
“Blessing or disaster, they go hand in hand. For the Seven Kingdoms, my homeland, this too will be a rebirth through fire…”
…
At Qingzhu Mountain Marketplace.
“Respectfully sending off, Senior.”
Members of the Zhou Family came to see them off. Lin Chang’an, mounted on a Green-Horned Ox, departed together with Yun Yao and the disguised Su Miaoyin—three Foundation Establishment cultivators heading toward Tianxuan City.