He Yuxiu let out a sigh, exclaiming, "What a truly remarkable location!"
Li Qi produced two pieces of contract paper, saying, "If you find it agreeable, then let's proceed with the blood oath."
He Yuxiu bit her lower lip and responded, "Very well, let us first select a place to inter the deed."
Locating a sinkhole atop the mountain, He Yuxiu discovered a cave within its rocky face. She pried open a stone, creating an opening, and then inquired of Li Banfeng, "Seventh Brother, what do you think of this spot?"
Li Banfeng surveyed the surroundings and felt the location lacked sufficient security, but He Yuxiu appeared to have made other arrangements.
She retrieved a clam, palm-sized, and placed it on the ground. After cutting her palm, she allowed her blood to drip onto the clam.
The clam's flesh within its shell began to writhe incessantly upon tasting the blood.
Shortly thereafter, the shell emitted a white mist, and under its concealment, the opening He Yuxiu had created vanished.
Li Banfeng activated his Golden Gaze Autumn Hair technique, pushing it to its absolute limit, and could only faintly discern the outline of the aperture on the rock wall.
He Yuxiu expressed her full confidence in this mystical treasure, stating, "This is what's known as a mirage clam; it's of a high grade. I invested a considerable sum in this item, and once it's in place, no one will be able to locate the contract paper."
Li Banfeng nodded in agreement. "It is indeed an excellent item, Xiuer. Where do you intend to conceal this mirage clam?"
He Yuxiu glanced at Li Qi, her lips pursed, offering no reply.
"Can you truly expect her to contemplate such matters?" the clam inquired. Li Banfeng, employing his Insightful Spirit Sound Technique, heard it distinctly, though He Yuxiu remained oblivious.
Li Banfeng crouched down and posed the question to the mirage clam, "Do you possess any suitable suggestions?"
The clam responded, "Each month, have her provide me with one to two ounces of blood – it needn't be hers, but the cultivation level must be at the Eighth Layer. I shall devise methods to conceal myself and guard the contract paper on her behalf."
Li Banfeng fixed his gaze upon the mirage clam, remaining silent.
Were this a magical treasure belonging to his own lineage, the matter would be settled. However, He Yuxiu could not communicate with the treasure, and the loyalty of this mirage clam was an unknown factor.
The mirage clam seemed to perceive Li Banfeng's apprehension, remarking, "A contract exists between He Yuxiu and myself. Should I dare to betray her, my life would be forfeit!"
Li Banfeng turned his attention back to He Yuxiu. "Do you have a contract established with this magical treasure?"
"Yes," He Yuxiu affirmed, handing the contract over to Li Banfeng.
The contract was inscribed on deed paper, replete with intricate stipulations that left no room for ambiguity.
Li Banfeng accepted the contract paper and then forged an additional contract with the mirage clam, agreeing to supply it with two ounces of blood monthly, with the stipulation that any betrayal would result in double retribution.
With all arrangements finalized, He Yuxiu prepared to place her blood upon the contract, but her hand trembled.
Li Banfeng gently stayed her. "Xiuer, if you are feeling apprehensive, take your time."
He Yuxiu flushed. "You will simply laugh at me."
Li Banfeng shook his head. "I shall not laugh, nor should I."
"I am not truly afraid of meeting death; it is merely that..."
"There is nothing wrong with fearing death; you possess but a single life, why should you not fear it?" Li Banfeng offered her a cigarette. "Take your time to contemplate; inform me when you are prepared."
That evening, He Yuxiu rested directly within the cave, while Li Banfeng quietly retreated to the portable dwelling.
Observing He Yuxiu via the Lady of the Fifth Room, his wife scrutinized her and inquired, "Is this woman thirty years of age?"
Li Banfeng considered for a moment. "She ought to be forty."
"That does not appear to be the case; she is remarkably beautiful, and her figure is exceptionally well-formed. Husband, be truthful with me, have you ever been intimate with her?"
"My dearest wife, I swear upon this oil pot, I have absolutely never shared intimacy with her."
Chuckle~
His wife let out a soft chuckle and then continued, "Husband, set aside the oil pot for now, and tell me what method she intends to employ to ascend above the clouds?"
Li Banfeng recalled for a moment. "She mentioned the method is called 'Two Entering the Gate,' though I confess I do not fully grasp its meaning."
Hong Ying interjected, "I comprehend what 'Two Entering the Gate' signifies!"
"It is not what you are imagining," the phonograph interrupted Hong Ying and then addressed Li Banfeng, stating, "'Two Entering the Gate' represents the most arduous method of advancement for martial cultivators. She must first consume a forbidden martial elixir known as the Piercing Heart Pill to establish her Taoist Fate."
"What sort of elixir is the Piercing Heart Pill?" Li Qi had never encountered mention of it.
"The Piercing Heart Pill is a potent remedy for cultivating Taoist Fate. Ingesting one is akin to enduring two successive heavenly illuminations. White Lamb consumed one heavenly light and nearly met his end; He Yuxiu, with her Ninth Layer cultivation, would, upon taking two consecutively, not only risk exploding but would undoubtedly be crippled."
"If she becomes a cripple, how then will she ascend above the clouds?"
"That is when the second stage of transcendence is meant to occur, applying a basic medicinal powder to the body, re-entering the Gateway to the Dao for a second time, and forcibly seizing the Cloud Top Cultivation technique. Consequently, this method is also known as 'Two Gates Entry'."
Li Banfeng contemplated, "This technique is certainly quite crude. Is there no superior alternative available?"
"A more refined method exists, but it requires someone with exceptional attentiveness to execute."
"How much attentiveness is truly necessary?"
"It involves a complete understanding of one's own physical constitution, cultivation realm, the subtle interplay of forces within, and one's advantages and disadvantages; even the most minute shift must be perceived."
Li Banfeng mused for a moment before shaking his head, "I doubt she possesses such capability."
"Should she lack such meticulous attention, then employ the 'Two Gates Entry' method. I am confident her robust physique will enable her to endure this trial with relative ease."
"Husband, bear in mind, following the ingestion of the Heart-Piercing Pill, her bones will become pliable and her muscles will feel numb. She might struggle even to hold the medicinal powder. At such a time, you must assist her in its application."
"The precise measure of this powder must be managed with utmost care. Insufficient amounts render it ineffective, while an excess risks damaging her constitution. Even a slight overage could prove lethal, so apply it incrementally and with extreme caution."
"After consuming the Heart-Piercing Pill, her blood circulation will accelerate significantly. Husband, seek out areas of the body with thicker skin for application, and shift the application points with each subsequent dose. Ensure she does not break the skin, lest the bleeding becomes uncontrollable, jeopardizing her life."