Chapter 39: Playing in the Mortal World, Captivating All Beings
Shi Hao descended the stairs and saw a clear pool.
Golden lotuses bloomed at the pool’s edge, radiating a mystical light. Mist drifted across the water’s surface, obscuring the figure within.
Suddenly, water splashed upwards, like a night-blooming cereus, swirling outwards in a circle, reflecting the golden light of the lotuses in a dazzling display of colors.
The swirling water droplets partially concealed the beautiful woman as she rose from the pool, her body flawless, her movements captivating, making it impossible to look away.
With her back to him, her figure graceful and alluring, she extended her arms, and a red veil drifted from the pool’s edge, wrapping around her enticing body.
She turned around, the pink veil barely concealing her exquisite form, her fair skin tantalizingly visible yet also obscured, her beauty breathtaking.
She floated towards Shi Hao, her feet barely touching the mist, like a celestial being emerging from a painting, both ethereal and sensual, chanting, “Fire tests the heavens, scorns celestial laws, dances amidst flowers, defying all order; plays in the mortal world, captivating all beings, colors the universe, the night-enchanting celestial.”
The Holy Jade Immortal walking on water had already astonished Shi Hao, but this was even more incredible.
Su Mei wasn’t even touching the water, simply gliding on the rising mist.
Her veil barely concealed her body, her curves tantalizingly visible beneath the thin fabric.
Shi Hao had never witnessed such wondrous magic, such an alluring sight.
A strange, indescribable feeling, both sensual and sacred, washed over him, making him want to prostrate himself before her swirling pink veil.
Even just a taste of her delicate, perfect feet would be worth a lifetime of servitude.
He quickly used the Sacred Heart Clear Mirror Technique to calm his mind and steady his breathing, his heart becoming a clear, unblemished mirror, regaining some control.
“Hee hee, I didn’t expect her to teach you even that secret technique. That woman is quite fond of you,” Su Mei landed beside him, spinning gracefully, her sleeve fluttering into his hand. She tugged gently, “Husband, follow me.”
Even with the Sacred Heart Clear Mirror Technique, Shi Hao couldn’t resist her allure.
He turned and followed the demonic witch up the stairs. She walked two steps ahead of him, her swaying hips a captivating sight.
The pink veil barely concealed her body, her slender legs and delicate curves tantalizingly visible beneath the thin fabric. Her movements were graceful and alluring, making his bones melt.
Shi Hao began to think the Sacred Heart Clear Mirror Technique wasn’t powerful enough.
Or perhaps, although it could resist seductive techniques, this bewitching woman didn’t need any techniques to entice him. A few steps, a glance, and he was already captivated.
They reached the upper level and, rounding a white jade pillar carved with a dragon, found another flight of stairs winding upwards.
Su Mei looked back at him, her eyes alluring, and giggled, “Let’s go up.”
With a flick of her pink sleeve, a faint firelight flickering around her, she lifted both herself and Shi Hao, bypassing the stairs and flying directly to the upper level.
Shi Hao saw a room with swaying curtains, a white jade chair in the center, a carved screen in the distance, and a white jade bed.
Three night pearls illuminated the corners of the room, while the fourth corner had collapsed.
Most of the Primordial Grotto Heaven was in ruins, but this palace, although partially collapsed, was mostly intact.
Standing within it, Shi Hao felt like he was in a celestial abode. Every piece of furniture radiated a magical aura, the curtains swaying gently, untouched by time or dust.
He felt a profound, transformative sensation simply by standing there.
Su Mei pulled him through a circular, red, carved doorway. The moment they entered, a veil descended, and red candles ignited on the walls, their light filtering through the gauze, creating a beautiful, dreamlike atmosphere, like a bridal chamber, both sensual and otherworldly.
Shi Hao said, “Miss Su…”
Su Mei pulled him onto the bed.
She knelt behind him, her arms wrapping around his shoulders, her body pressed against his back, and whispered, “I call you ‘husband,’ but you call me ‘Miss.’ Are you one of those heartless men who abandon women? Do you know what we demonic women do to such men?”
Shi Hao quickly said, “Wife!”
“Just teasing you,” Su Mei giggled in his ear, “I know that woman must have said many bad things about me. Like how she’s the one who truly cares about you, and how I’m just trying to provoke her by leading you astray, corrupting you, making you obsessed with me… Did she say that?”
Shi Hao thought, you’re spot on.
Su Mei giggled, “She’s Dao, and I’m demon. She naturally looks down on all demonic women. But if you ask me, it’s the Daoists who are truly heartless, especially those ‘immortals’ of the Taisu Immortal Pavilion. They pursue the emotionless Great Dao.”
“If they were truly emotionless, that would be one thing, but they like to pretend. They seek detachment while engaging with the world. The Taisu Immortal Pavilion holds a high position in the martial world. At the beginning of the Sheng Dynasty, during the chaos, it was they who shaped public opinion, choosing a ruler for the people, and establishing the Great Sheng Dynasty.”
“But during the century of division before the Sheng Dynasty, when heroes rose and fell, and the people suffered endlessly, you didn’t see them. And during the later years of the Sheng Dynasty, when the emperor became arrogant, the officials corrupt, and the people displaced, you didn’t see them either.”
“But just as chaos was about to give way to order, and the people yearned for stability, they appeared, choosing a savior for the world, bringing a new era. Don’t you think their timing is always… convenient?”
“That’s how these immortals operate. They always appear at the most crucial moment, when they’re least needed, taking credit for heaven’s work, solidifying their mystical and supreme position in the martial world.”
Shi Hao said hesitantly, “Well…”
Su Mei withdrew her hands, placed them on his shoulders, and giggled, “Let’s talk about love. We demonic women are passionate and unrestrained, not hypocritical like them. The Taisu Immortal Pavilion, however, sees love as a trial to overcome, a step towards detachment.”
“They create an illusion of love, making you believe they’re devoted to you, your soulmate. They engage in a spiritual romance, and then, when you’re completely enamored with them, they gracefully leave, claiming to have overcome the trial of love and achieved enlightenment.”
“Throughout history, not only have renowned heroes become pawns of the Taisu Immortal Pavilion’s ‘immortals,’ manipulated to further their agenda, but also many unparalleled demonic heroes, capable of changing the world, have been seduced by their false affections, their potential wasted, their lives becoming meaningless.”
“And now, she needs someone to fight for her, a righteous hero willing to sacrifice everything for the world, to restore the Taisu Immortal Pavilion’s reputation. In her eyes, you are that person.”
Shi Hao stammered, “But…” When Ye Zi Yin had spoken about Su Mei, he had felt enlightened. Now, hearing Su Mei’s perspective on Ye Zi Yin, he felt equally persuaded, unable to refute her words.
This left him confused. Who was being sincere, and who was deceiving him? Were they both just using him?
“Are you confused, unsure who to believe?” The Enchanting Fire Witch, behind him, giggled like a magpie.
Her words exposed his inner turmoil, making him feel trapped, unable to escape her grasp.
He hurriedly used the Sacred Heart Clear Mirror Technique to resist her allure… Both the immortal and the witch were terrifying.
But although the Sacred Heart Clear Mirror Technique could resist seductive techniques, Su Mei wasn’t using any techniques. She was simply being herself, her natural charm captivating him.
Her words resonated with him, piercing through his defenses without any need for deception or magic.
Behind him, Su Mei smiled confidently, her body, clad in a thin pink veil, pressed softly against his back, her hands sliding down his shoulders, caressing his chest.
Her delicate fingers traced patterns on his skin, as if wanting to carve her mark on him.
Suddenly, she exclaimed in surprise, “Oh?”
Shi Hao whispered, “Wife?”
Su Mei, looking slightly disbelieving, leaned over his shoulder, her face close to his, one hand still on his chest, “That woman taught you the Gathering Essence Flowing Pearl Technique, didn’t she? How long have you been practicing it?”
Shi Hao thought for a moment and said, “About four hours.”
Su Mei asked, “And what about the remaining two hours?”
Shi Hao knew he was no match for her in terms of perception.
So he answered honestly, “After learning the Sacred Heart Clear Mirror Technique, I spent the rest studying Daoist scriptures with her: the Yellow Court Scripture, the Scripture of the Divine Treasure, and others.”
Su Mei was stunned… almost incredulous, “Four hours? You’ve mastered the Gathering Essence Flowing Pearl Technique to this extent in just four hours?”
Su Mei, with her skills, could sense the flow of his true energy simply by touching his chest, without forcing him to use it. Having been rivals with Ye Zi Yin for so long, she immediately recognized the energy as the Taisu Immortal Pavilion’s Gathering Essence Flowing Pearl Technique.
She had initially assumed that, no matter how talented Shi Hao was, he would, at most, learn the basics of the technique in six hours.
And that would already be quite impressive.
But now, she could sense the Gathering Essence Flowing Pearl true energy flowing smoothly within him.
If it weren’t for the existing Daoist and demonic foundations within him, and Ye Zi Yin stopping him from further practice, his mastery of the technique would be even greater after another two hours.
What kind of learning ability, what kind of talent, could achieve this?
She had thought she could easily manipulate him, but he had surprised her.
Su Mei said thoughtfully, “No wonder that woman taught you even the Sacred Heart Clear Mirror Technique, a secret not normally taught to outsiders. She treats you like a treasure. If your advancement to the seventh rank in just twenty days was astonishing, it could be explained by your unprecedented dual cultivation.
“But your current learning ability… even she couldn’t achieve that in her youth.”
Shi Hao said modestly, “Is it really that impressive?”
Su Mei smiled, “Logically, starting martial arts training at your age is too late. All renowned martial artists begin their training in childhood. The younger you are, the more adaptable you are. Some even start training from birth.”
“Although that woman and I became leaders of the righteous and demonic paths, our names shaking the martial world, before we even reached twenty, we both started our training before we could even understand what it meant.”
“And in your case, we forcibly established your foundation, which was somewhat “like pulling up seedlings to help them grow” – counterproductive. Although we can help you build a foundation, true talent requires nurturing and development.”
“You’re not from a Daoist or demonic sect, you weren’t even a martial artist before, yet you possess such talent. It’s truly incredible, almost like a ‘born knowing,’ a sign of a destined one.”
Shi Hao thought to himself, this is the advantage of being a transmigrator.
Su Mei giggled and floated down from the bed, landing before him.
Red veils swayed, and candlelight flickered. She smiled, “But I’m still skeptical. I have a technique called the Unfettered Demon’s Boundless Art. This time, I won’t guide you step by step.
“Since you said Ye Zi Yin taught you Daoist scriptures and their interpretations, I’ll teach you this technique in the style of a Daoist scripture and explain it only once.
“I’ll give you four hours. After four hours, I’ll test your progress. If you can master it to the same extent as the Gathering Essence Flowing Pearl Technique, I’ll give you a reward.”
She leaned closer, her ample bosom barely concealed by the thin veil, “I’ll teach you a very useful secret technique… very useful for men.”
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