Chapter 165: The Crimson-Gold Primal Heart, A Hidden Test
With a wave of her sleeve, the Ninth Elder swept the drowsy Mao Ruoyu towards a nearby bedroom.
“Hua, come and help me. You stay outside and wait, Lin Tianlu. I’ll come find you when she’s stabilized.”
“Senior, I’ll go assist,” Hua Shuya said, quickly following them, her sword strapped to her back.
…
Once the door closed, Yun Yue, who had been silent, opened her eyes and murmured, “This elder is quite powerful. Although she said…”
“Don’t worry.”
Lin Tianlu smiled and patted her head. “She’s sincere. There’s no malice in her words or actions. She’s not deceiving us.”
Yun Yue blinked her beautiful eyes. “You can tell?”
“I’m a good judge of character.”
Lin Tianlu walked to the center of the courtyard, his face thoughtful. “After learning about my… romantic entanglements, this elder wanted to talk to me privately several times. But she stopped herself when she saw Ruoyu, her expression filled with worry and helplessness. It’s clear that she genuinely cares for Ruoyu.”
“You’re quite calm about this, Tianlu.”
“There’s nothing to hide. I’m prepared to be honest with the Ninth Elder and hopefully earn her understanding.”
“Hmm~ You’ll have to put in some effort to win over your mother-in-law~”
Yun Yue chuckled playfully. “I’ll be rooting for you, Tianlu. I hope you can bring Ruoyu home soon as your wife.”
“I appreciate your support.”
Lin Tianlu chuckled.
After a moment of silence, his expression turned serious. “But first, we need to see if Ruoyu is alright.”
…
Late at night…
Lin Tianlu sat at the stone table in the courtyard, gazing at the crescent moon hanging high in the sky.
It was even brighter and clearer than when they had first arrived, illuminating the dark valley like a beacon in the night.
“This technique—”
Yun Yue looked up, her voice thoughtful. “It’s gathering a special kind of energy.”
Lin Tianlu could sense a faint coolness, refreshing and comforting, like the essence of the moon, a life-giving force.
“Is it different from the Moon Shadow Breath you remember?”
“It’s not the same.”
Yun Yue shook her head. “The Moon Shadow Breath I remember was incredibly cold, like ancient ice. The women of the Moon Soul Sacred Sect were all aloof and distant, rarely interacting with others. But this energy has a gentle warmth to it. It seems they’ve made some changes over the past thousand years.”
“If this Moon Shadow Breath is so gentle, why is Ruoyu experiencing those strange symptoms?”
Lin Tianlu stroked his chin, his face thoughtful.
“Perhaps… her emotional instability isn’t caused by the Moon Shadow Breath?”
Footsteps sounded behind him.
He turned around to see a graceful figure emerging from the shadows, walking towards him.
Lin Tianlu bowed slightly. “Ninth Elder, how is Ruoyu?”
“Hua is helping her rest. She should be back to her usual self by tomorrow morning. There’s no need to worry.”
The Ninth Elder’s face was calm and composed. “But her condition isn’t caused by the Moon Shadow Breath alone.”
So it wasn’t just the Moon Shadow Breath.
Lin Tianlu thought to himself.
“If it’s not the Moon Shadow Breath, then why is Ruoyu—”
“It’s her constitution.”
The Ninth Elder explained calmly, “Ruoyu possesses a rare and unique constitution called the ‘Crimson-Gold Primal Heart.’”
Crimson-Gold Primal Heart?
Lin Tianlu was confused.
But Yun Yue, who was pretending to be asleep on his shoulder, perked up.
“Only the elders of the Lunar Valley know about the Crimson-Gold Primal Heart. It’s an incredibly rare constitution, found in only one in ten million people. Those who cultivate Yin energy with this constitution can progress rapidly, their talent unparalleled.”
The Ninth Elder’s tone suddenly changed. “But the Crimson-Gold Primal Heart also has its drawbacks.”
“Is it related to Ruoyu’s sudden personality change?”
“When the Crimson-Gold Primal Heart encounters Yin energy, it not only enhances the body’s potential, but it also gives rise to negative emotions, amplifying the seductive nature of the constitution. It can turn the possessor into a bewitching and dangerous being, like a succubus. Without proper guidance, they can easily fall into darkness.”
The Ninth Elder continued, “The Moon Shadow Breath we cultivate in the Lunar Valley is gentle and pure, perfectly counterbalancing the Crimson-Gold Primal Heart. It helped Ruoyu maintain her sanity.”
Lin Tianlu was confused.
“But Ruoyu lived outside the valley for several years. Why didn’t she experience any problems?”
“When Ruoyu received the Moon Shadow Breath, I didn’t let her delve too deeply into Yin energy cultivation. By the time she left the Lunar Valley, her cultivation was far below her peers. Even without the Moon Shadow Breath, the small amount of Yin energy within her body wouldn’t have any significant impact. She could have lived a normal lifespan.”
The Ninth Elder sighed. “But now, her body is filled with an incredible amount of Yin energy, and even a strange Yang energy has emerged. Her Crimson-Gold Primal Heart has been fully activated. Without the Moon Shadow Breath to balance it, she’s naturally being affected by her constitution.
And most importantly—”
Her gaze met Lin Tianlu’s. “She’s lost her innocence and experienced the pleasures of the flesh. Her seductive nature is no longer restrained. That’s why her condition has worsened.”
Lin Tianlu’s face flushed with embarrassment. “It seems I was too reckless.”
“No.”
The Ninth Elder shook her head. “You’re both young and passionate. There’s no need to blame yourselves for succumbing to temptation. But…”
Her expression suddenly turned serious.
“I didn’t expect such a powerful demon to disguise herself as a small fox and sneak into the Lunar Valley!”
Her voice was cold and sharp.
A profound aura descended upon the courtyard, as if the air itself had frozen.
She flicked her sleeve, and a surge of Yin energy transformed into a howling wind!
Yun Yue instantly shifted into her human form, her robes billowing around her as she effortlessly deflected the attack with a wave of her hand. She smiled sweetly.
“When did you realize it was me, Elder?”
“I initially thought you were just an ordinary fox. But after observing you closely, I noticed something was amiss. Ordinary foxes aren’t so intelligent and obedient.”
The Ninth Elder’s voice was stern. “Why have you infiltrated the Lunar Valley?!”
“I have no ill intentions towards the Lunar Valley.”
Yun Yue smiled gently. “I’m just accompanying them on their visit, offering some guidance and information.”
“Do you think I’ll believe that?”
The Ninth Elder’s expression was grim. “Get away from him!”
Lin Tianlu quickly spoke up, “Elder, we’re not—”
“Don’t worry, Tianlu.”
She stared at Yun Yue intently, Yin energy gathering in her palm. “This demon won’t dare to act recklessly within the Lunar Valley. Stay still. I’ll save you soon.”
But Yun Yue just chuckled.
The Ninth Elder frowned, sensing something was wrong.
“What’s so funny?”
“I’m just surprised that you actually think Tianlu is an ordinary scholar.”
Yun Yue stroked Lin Tianlu’s arm with her tail, her gesture intimate. “If I were using him, why would I be so close to him?”
“…”
The Ninth Elder was stunned.
Lin Tianlu chuckled awkwardly. “Elder, although Miss Yun Yue has an unusual background, she’s actually… a close friend, just like Ruoyu and the others. She came here to accompany us. If you don’t believe me, you can ask Ruoyu tomorrow.”
Yun Yue bowed gracefully. “Please forgive me, Ninth Elder. I didn’t want to cause any trouble, so I concealed my aura and identity. I didn’t expect to be discovered and cause you any displeasure. I apologize.”
The Ninth Elder lowered her hands, her expression strange.
After a moment of silence, she finally spoke.
“What kind of charm do you possess, to attract the affection of three women, and even a powerful demon?”
“It’s just a series of coincidences…”
“Do you truly love Ruoyu?”
Lin Tianlu’s expression turned serious. “I’m being completely honest.”
“Anyone can say that.”
Her voice turned cold. “With Ruoyu and Bai Xin present, I couldn’t embarrass you. But now that we’re alone, I need to test your sincerity.”
“What kind of test, Elder?”
A profound and chilling light flickered in the Ninth Elder’s eyes, a mix of gold and red, as if she could see through his soul.
Clearly, she was using a powerful secret technique, a legacy of the Lunar Valley, to probe his mind. But Lin Tianlu met her gaze without fear, his posture straight, his aura calm and steady.
After a long moment, she couldn’t help but feel a surge of surprise.
An ordinary person would have been pale and trembling under her pressure. Even those considered exceptional, if they harbored any malicious intent, would have been affected by the backlash of her technique, their bodies swaying, their eyes darting away.
But this scholar was unfazed. He even…
“Elder, staring without blinking is bad for your eyes.”
Lin Tianlu bowed slightly. “If you have a test, please tell me. I’ll do my best to complete it.”
“…”
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