Category: A Girl Dies Every Day in Her Dream Life

Chapter 24: Blood Sea Phoenix Venerable, Barely There

Within a boundless blood sea.

A breathtakingly beautiful woman in a purple dress slowly opened her eyes, her eerie vertical pupils captivating, a single glance capable of drawing one into the abyss.

She sat alone on the surface of the blood-red sea, surrounded by a surging ferocious aura, yet none of it dared to approach her.

“…Has it been triggered?”

The woman in purple raised her hand, and blood-colored bubbles slowly formed, then instantly burst.

“Indeed… I didn’t expect that after so many years, that inheritance would still find a successor.”

The woman pondered, a captivating smile appearing on her lips.

“And it seems to be a mortal without even a shred of cultivation… After all this time, something interesting has finally happened.”

She knew very well where she had placed the inheritance.

She also knew that even for ordinary cultivators, without Nascent Soul cultivation or other special means, they wouldn’t dare to venture so deep into that forbidden zone.

Even if they did manage to enter through cultivation or special items, they wouldn’t be able to obtain the inheritance.

Even though she had only just entered Soul Transformation back then, the methods she had set up would cause headaches even for old monsters who had been at the Soul Transformation stage for thousands of years.

If they weren’t recognized, the illusion formation would instantly transform into a killing formation.

“Liu Lian.”

The woman in purple called softly.

Before her voice faded, a faintly visible dark figure instantly appeared beside her.

“Phoenix Venerable, your servant is here.”

“Bring her back,” the woman in purple closed her eyes again, “My… successor.”

The dark figure trembled slightly, seemingly surprised.

But she quickly bowed and replied,

“Your servant… obeys.”

…

Seemingly sensing that Luo Xue didn’t have any cultivation, the True Phoenix blood essence quickly subsided.

If Luo Xue could see within her soul, she would see the formation runes surrounding the True Phoenix blood essence faintly flickering, taking effect.

To completely absorb a drop of True Phoenix blood essence, let alone Foundation Establishment, even Core Formation and Nascent Soul cultivators wouldn’t dare to guarantee success.

Not to mention, the one who obtained this inheritance was likely just starting their cultivation journey, or even a novice like Luo Xue who hadn’t even stepped onto the path.

This was an inheritance, not a death trap.

Therefore, the formation runes inscribed on the True Phoenix blood essence could restrict its release.

It would be gradually absorbed as the successor’s cultivation increased.

Learning this from the jade slip’s contents, Luo Xue breathed a sigh of relief. That feeling just now had been quite frightening.

She looked up at the coffin, thought for a moment, then knelt down.

“I don’t know if Senior is still alive, but since you have entrusted such an important inheritance to me, I should call you Master.”

With that, Luo Xue performed the disciple’s ritual towards the coffin.

However, unlike what was described in many books, no old man appeared after the ritual, saying something like, “Hahaha, it was just a test. If you hadn’t performed the ritual, the inheritance would have disappeared.”

Nothing happened, as if the inheritance had already ended.

Of course, Luo Xue didn’t mind. If that drop of True Phoenix blood essence hadn’t been so quick to enter her body, she would have considered giving it to Xiao Yao.

Luo Xue stood up and patted her knees.

Suddenly, she realized something else.

“Wait, if she really is True Person Phoenix Yin, and her disciple is Daoist Ziyang, then I’m… Daoist Ziyang’s Junior Sister?”

“But I called Daoist Ziyang Master before? This seniority is messed up…”

Luo Xue couldn’t help but feel amused, but she quickly dismissed these trivial matters.

They could just address each other separately. She would call him Master, and he would call her Junior Sister.

However… regarding this matter, Luo Xue had a vague guess.

Was Daoist Ziyang really True Person Phoenix Yin’s disciple?

And was the woman she had just seen truly True Person Phoenix Yin?

“Forget it, let’s see my evolved cultivation aptitude first.”

Luo Xue summoned the panel and checked the record.

[Improved Cultivation Aptitude: -100]
[Cultivation Aptitude Improved: Almost None -> Barely There]
[Hidden Condition Met (Poison Resistance >= 100), Activated Special Cultivation Physique: Calamity Poison Body]
[Calamity Poison Body: Internal spiritual power is forcibly converted into poisonous spiritual power. All spiritual power techniques possess the Yin Poison attribute.]
[Note: For those with the Calamity Poison Body, the body itself is the most terrifying poison.]

“How did changing my cultivation aptitude create such a terrifying thing…”

Luo Xue looked at her hands; they didn’t seem to have changed, except for becoming slightly paler.

But when she turned to look at the bronze mirror, she was startled.

Luo Xue’s hair, which had been grayish-white before, was now completely snow-white, incredibly striking in the dim environment.

The good news was that the burns on her face had healed somewhat, and she could almost see her original appearance, which was quite delicate.

Moreover, after Luo Xue changed her cultivation aptitude, the “Breathing Technique,” which she had been unable to grasp before, slowly started to circulate.

There was no spiritual energy around, so the Breathing Technique absorbed the Yin Breath Poison instead.

“Whoa… eh, I’m fine?”

Luo Xue was initially frightened, but she quickly realized that this Yin Breath Poison seemed no different from spiritual energy to her.

However, there was no need to continue cultivating the Breathing Technique, as it was just a beginner-level technique.

And the purple jade slip contained the peerless Dao technique, the Xuanyin Phoenix Transformation Scripture.

After a brief look, Luo Xue realized that Daoist Ziyang’s so-called Ziyang Technique was actually a simplified version of the Xuanyin Phoenix Transformation Scripture.

A bit too simplified…

“Anyway, should I try cultivating it?”

With a thought, Luo Xue began to circulate her energy according to the Xuanyin Phoenix Transformation Scripture.

She hadn’t even grasped the basics of the Breathing Technique before, so switching to the Xuanyin Phoenix Transformation Scripture was a smooth transition.

Silently, without any fanfare, Luo Xue stepped through the door she had been unable to find for months, reaching the Post-Heaven Realm.

And she didn’t stop there.

Clear Mouth, Sharp Ears, Sensitive Nose, Bright Eyes, Spiritual Insight…

After an unknown amount of time, when Luo Xue slowly opened her eyes, she could vaguely see a vast, boundless ocean.

She was about to complete the Spiritual Insight stage, achieve introspection of her spirit, and step into the Innate Realm.

“…This is also called ‘Barely There’?”

Luo Xue had originally thought that “Barely There” cultivation aptitude would be similar to Li Zining and the others, but it turned out to be vastly different.

Although she didn’t know how many days she had been cultivating, it definitely wasn’t months.

Just as Luo Xue was feeling emotional, a familiar aura suddenly came from afar, triggering her senses.

After a moment of recollection, Luo Xue’s heart tightened.

“No, this is…”

The mysterious formation that had caused Li Zining so much pain.

“Could it be that someone else has reached the Innate Realm? Could it be… Xiao Yao?”

No matter what, once the mysterious formation was activated, it meant Daoist Ziyang’s plan was in motion again.

And if it was Xiao Yao…

Luo Xue didn’t want to imagine it.

“I can’t let this happen.” Luo Xue took a deep breath. “Let’s go and see.”

Chapter 23: Xuanyin Phoenix Transformation Scripture, True Phoenix Successor

“Ah!”

Luo Xue stumbled backward. The last few times this had happened, it was because of Daoist Ziyang.

But this time, after she regained her composure, Daoist Ziyang wasn’t there.

Luo Xue looked around, remaining vigilant for a while before finally relaxing.

It seemed to be just a hallucination caused by her nervousness.

However, when Luo Xue looked at the coffin in the inner room again, shock filled her eyes.

“It’s gone?”

The incredibly beautiful woman who had been sitting on the coffin had vanished.

Not only that, but Luo Xue’s vision also felt strangely off.

She took a few steps forward, nervously observing her surroundings, wary of the beautiful woman’s reappearance.

However, despite her vigilance, nothing happened.

“What… is going on?”

Lost in thought, Luo Xue naturally sat down on the coffin.

She inadvertently looked up and saw the beautiful woman again—in the bronze mirror on the dressing table!

Luo Xue was startled again and quickly stood up.

The woman in the mirror also looked surprised and stood up as well.

…Wait?

Luo Xue extended her hand, looking down at it, then looked up at the reflection in the mirror.

“I… have become her?”

Indeed, these slender, delicate fingers weren’t something a ten-year-old girl should have.

And at this moment, Luo Xue finally understood why her vision felt so strange.

Because she was too tall.

Luo Xue herself was only about 1.3 meters tall, but the beautiful woman, presumably True Person Phoenix Yin, was a full 1.7 meters.

So what was going on?

“Did I possess her?”

“No, that’s not right… Did she possess me?”

“That’s not right either…”

This didn’t make sense…

Luo Xue tried to summon the system panel, but nothing appeared.

This was the first time since she came to this world that she couldn’t bring up the panel.

It seemed she had truly replaced the beautiful woman… or perhaps, the beautiful woman had replaced her.

Luo Xue took a deep breath and looked at the coffin below.

In this situation… what would be inside the coffin?

It couldn’t be any stranger than her current situation. Luo Xue didn’t hesitate for long and made up her mind.

Perhaps it was due to the strength of this body, or perhaps the coffin lid wasn’t properly secured, but with a slight effort, Luo Xue lifted the lid.

…Just as Luo Xue had expected.

A small girl, whose appearance resembled someone badly burned, lay inside the coffin, her hands resting on her abdomen, her expression peaceful.

The only difference from Luo Xue’s memory was that the little girl’s hair was a dull grayish-white.

“Seeing myself lying in a coffin… isn’t this a bit early for me?”

Luo Xue’s heart trembled, but her hand reached out uncontrollably.

But before she could touch her, the girl in the coffin suddenly opened her eyes.

…A pair of eerie vertical pupils.

The girl stared intently at Luo Xue, a hint of amusement appearing on her lips.

“A good child.”

…

Luo Xue abruptly opened her eyes, only to find her back soaked in cold sweat.

She looked up and found that her vision had returned to its normal height, and her position was the same as when she had bowed earlier.

But the beautiful woman was still gone from the coffin.

Luo Xue hurriedly approached the dressing table mirror. The reflection she saw was the same as the little girl in the coffin.

She summoned the system, and this time, the red text easily appeared before her.

However…

[Survival Points: 120]

How did she get 50 more points?

Luo Xue immediately checked the record and was instantly covered in cold sweat again.

[Experienced Dangerous Event: Trapped in Soul Transformation Cultivator’s Illusion Formation]

What the hell, a Soul Transformation expert?

True Person Phoenix Yin was at the Soul Transformation stage?

Wasn’t this a bit too much?

And… wasn’t her disciple only at Foundation Establishment?

After Foundation Establishment, one had to go through Core Formation and Nascent Soul before reaching Soul Transformation!

Even in top immortal sects, Soul Transformation experts were at the level of Grand Elders, all of them old monsters in secluded cultivation.

Knowing that the heart-stopping experience just now was caused by a formation left by a Soul Transformation expert…

Luo Xue could only be thankful that the other party had no ill intentions. If it had been some kind of test, she would probably be dead.

Who would have thought that a mortal could reach this place?

But… why would a Soul Transformation cultivator have a disciple who couldn’t even break through to Foundation Establishment?

And then be refined into a Xuanyin Gu Seed by that disciple after death?

There were too many suspicious points.

But now, Luo Xue could only bury all of this in her heart.

“Right, if I hadn’t entered the coffin, what would be inside now?”

Luo Xue slapped her forehead and looked at the coffin below.

Although she had opened it once before, seeing herself lying inside still gave her some psychological trauma.

After overcoming it slightly, Luo Xue lifted the coffin lid again.

…Now she was sure the coffin wasn’t nailed shut.

Luo Xue looked inside the coffin and breathed a sigh of relief.

“Phew… I’m definitely not in there.”

This time, what replaced Luo Xue inside the coffin was a purple jade slip.

Luo Xue picked up the jade slip. Although she didn’t have any cultivation, she knew how to access the information within.

With a thought, everything imprinted within the jade slip flowed into Luo Xue’s mind.

“It seems to be the inheritance of the Xuanyin Phoenix Transformation Scripture?” A strange expression appeared on Luo Xue’s face. “So that’s how it is…”

Daoist Ziyang was wrong, completely wrong.

The Xuanyin Phoenix Transformation Scripture could indeed only be cultivated by a pure Yin constitution, meaning men were absolutely impossible.

But besides “Xuanyin,” the more important part was “Phoenix Transformation.”

…It required the blood essence of an Ancient True Phoenix.

According to the jade slip, Ancient True Phoenixes were already extinct, and their blood essence was incredibly rare.

The reason this purple jade slip could be called an inheritance was because it contained a drop of Ancient True Phoenix blood essence.

And it was very likely the last drop in the world.

“Should I… give it to Xiao Yao?”

This thought crossed Luo Xue’s mind.

She wasn’t interested in this scripture anyway.

But soon, Luo Xue discovered that the jade slip cracked after being accessed.

“This…”

Before Luo Xue could react, a drop of purple glowing blood slowly floated out from the cracked jade slip, entwined with formation runes, seemingly sealed.

The True Phoenix blood essence drifted and directly entered Luo Xue’s skin.

“Damn! So impatient!”

Luo Xue felt a chill emanating from her bones and shuddered.

She stumbled back and sat down on the floor, a feeling of bursting spreading through her body.

“I don’t even have a bit of cultivation… How can I withstand this…”

Luo Xue wanted to cry, but then she remembered that she now had enough survival points to upgrade her cultivation aptitude.

At this critical moment, Luo Xue immediately opened the panel and added the points to her cultivation aptitude.

Instantly, the words “Almost None” disappeared, and the red text began to slowly change.

Chapter 22: Another Courtyard in the Depths

Within the Xuanyin Puppet Refining Formation.

Luo Xue struggled to stand up. She could sense that even the panel had its limits.

Although her poison resistance had reached 100, with this concentration of Yin Breath Poison… without any cultivation base, she was still inevitably affected.

Luo Xue scratched her head, unintentionally pulling out several strands of hair.

Looking closely, they had a grayish-white tinge.

If she didn’t have poison resistance… Luo Xue would probably have turned into a dried corpse the moment she was thrown into the formation. How terrifying.

Luo Xue was startled and quickly left the formation.

Fortunately, the Xuanyin Puppet Refining Formation didn’t have any trapping effects, because Daoist Ziyang hadn’t anticipated that anyone could move freely in such a high concentration of Yin Breath Poison.

Even he wouldn’t dare to touch it casually; ordinary cultivators would need at least Core Formation cultivation to stay inside the formation for a short time.

The level of Yin Breath Poison Luo Xue had encountered before could be easily neutralized even by Daoist Ziyang, so he didn’t think Luo Xue could escape the formation.

But now, even if Luo Xue escaped the formation, she couldn’t escape this place.

Although Daoist Ziyang was unlikely to come and check before the Yin Puppet was refined, Luo Xue couldn’t leave this area either.

If she was discovered to be able to leave… the next concentration of Yin Breath Poison would likely be beyond even the system panel’s ability to save her.

And now…

Luo Xue roughly sensed the surrounding environment. The concentration of Yin Breath Poison was about one-tenth of that within the formation, completely within acceptable limits.

“Since I can’t leave, I can only go deeper… Otherwise, I’m just waiting to die.”

Luo Xue took a deep breath and moved towards the direction where the concentration of Yin Breath Poison was higher.

The dim surroundings were devoid of any light, a sky of dark clouds hanging oppressively low, and sinister, withered trees stretching out in all directions. The eerie environment was chilling.

But Luo Xue felt strangely accustomed to it, not because she had been here before, but because she had experienced similar environments.

The calamities in the apocalyptic world… were mostly like this, and many people died each time they occurred.

After going deeper, when the concentration of Yin Breath Poison reached about one-third of that within the formation, she could no longer see anything resembling a living creature.

Not just the withered trees, even the rocks had been eroded by this concentration of Yin Breath Poison, completely turning into Yin Ash and scattering. The bare surroundings were desolate.

“Could there be nothing inside?”

Luo Xue felt her scalp tingle, but she didn’t dare to scratch her head, afraid of pulling out all her hair, as her current physical condition was uncertain.

But now, whether there was anything in the depths of Mount Ziyang or not, Luo Xue could only continue deeper.

Going back was a dead end.

Just as Luo Xue was starting to feel hungry, a bright light suddenly appeared in the increasingly dark environment, looking like a dazzling firefly from afar.

“What?”

Luo Xue immediately perked up, holding her breath and walking towards the light.

The concentration of Yin Breath Poison here was almost the same as within the formation. Every breath Luo Xue took was like pouring ice water into her lungs, chilling her to the bone.

However, it wasn’t unbearable yet.

It was just her hair…

Thinking of this, Luo Xue’s face fell.

When Luo Xue finally approached the light, shock filled her face.

“How… another identical courtyard?”

Indeed, the light came from a courtyard. This courtyard, in both style and size, was exactly the same as the other two outside.

“Is this the only courtyard Daoist Ziyang knows how to build?”

Luo Xue twitched her lips, then walked over.

Strangely, in this place with such a high concentration of Yin Breath Poison, green grass grew around the courtyard, with a few cherry blossoms dotted among them.

How… how was this possible?

Even the sinister withered trees, born from the Yin Breath Poison, couldn’t withstand such intensity. How could these ordinary-looking flowers and grass exist?

Luo Xue swallowed, resisting the urge to pull up the grass and examine it.

“So, the situation inside the courtyard…”

Luo Xue looked towards the courtyard, her expression darkening.

If the outer courtyard was for them, the “seeds,” and the inner courtyard was for Daoist Ziyang, then… what about this one in the depths of Mount Ziyang?

Could it be the residence of Daoist Ziyang’s master, “True Person Phoenix Yin,” whom he had mentioned many times?

…It wasn’t impossible.

Having come this far, Luo Xue had to enter this courtyard.

She mustered her courage and gently pushed open the courtyard gate.

Everything in this courtyard was very familiar to Luo Xue.

The places they usually lived in were side rooms. The main house in that courtyard was covered in thick dust, seemingly unoccupied for a long time.

But in this courtyard deep within Mount Ziyang, the situation was reversed.

Luo Xue’s gaze swept over the several side rooms, all dark and gloomy, while the main house was clean and tidy, even the faintly lit lanterns looked newer.

But there was no light inside, and she didn’t know if anyone was there.

“If there is, it should be a dead person… Didn’t he say True Person Phoenix Yin’s remains had been refined into a Gu Seed?”

Being able to refine his master into a Gu Seed, Daoist Ziyang was truly a unique individual.

Luo Xue walked over and reached out to push open the door of the main house, a place she had never entered even in the outside world.

—It was an ordinary bedroom.

That was Luo Xue’s first impression.

The room was divided into two parts. At the entrance was a tea table and two small stools.

Luo Xue stepped into the main house and looked towards the inner room. She could see a neatly made bed and a dressing table with a bronze mirror on the other side.

It was more spacious than the side rooms, but that was all. The room lacked decorations, a simplicity unlike the worldly image of an immortal.

However, the moment Luo Xue stepped into the inner room, she gasped, her breath catching in her throat.

She immediately wanted to flee the room, but for some reason, she couldn’t move her legs.

Because… right between the bed and the dressing table, a coffin sat on the ground.

The coffin itself wasn’t unusual; Luo Xue had seen plenty of coffins. The problem was… a woman was sitting on top of it!

The woman was incredibly beautiful, her simple white clothes unable to conceal her stunning appearance.

But her eyes were closed, as if in deep sleep, or perhaps eternal rest.

In this place, in this atmosphere… If Luo Xue couldn’t guess who this woman was, she would be a fool.

“Greetings… True Person Phoenix Yin.”

Luo Xue wasn’t sure about the proper etiquette for meeting an immortal in this world, so she simply bowed her head.

But a long time passed, and no sound came.

Luo Xue secretly raised her head, trying to assess the situation.

But at that moment, a pair of eerie vertical pupils filled her vision.

***

Zhenren (Chinese: 真人; ‘true/ upright/ genuine person’ or ‘person of truth’).

In Daoism, a god or deified mortal

Chapter 21: Xuanyin Puppet Refining

Daoist Ziyang wasn’t ignorant of the world of cultivation.

He had seen countless geniuses from immortal sects, some of whom even reached the Spirit Condensation Realm with a single thought.

But most of these geniuses had consumed countless cultivation resources and accumulated years of foundation to achieve such results, the sheer quantity astonishing even to Core Formation cultivators.

Not to mention the Dao Insights of Foundation Establishment cultivators, even Core Formation and Nascent Soul cultivators provided them.

But without massive amounts of cultivation resources… Daoist Ziyang doubted whether any of those so-called geniuses could compare to Su Yiyao.

Just then, the door opened, and Su Yiyao walked out, her beautiful eyes meeting Daoist Ziyang’s gaze.

“Master,” Su Yiyao asked softly, her voice measured, “After reaching the Innate Realm, how should I cultivate?”

Being stared at by those eyes, Daoist Ziyang, for some reason, took a few steps back.

But he quickly recovered, thinking to himself how could he be intimidated by a little Innate Realm brat, and resumed his usual demeanor.

“Come with me…”

Daoist Ziyang paused mid-sentence.

He had originally intended to take Su Yiyao, like Li Zining, to attempt merging with the Xuanyin Gu Seed, but on second thought, it wasn’t safe enough.

Recently, the Xuanyin Body girls he had found, who had reached the Innate Realm, had all failed.

One reason was aptitude, the other was cultivation level.

Insufficient aptitude, insufficient cultivation.

Daoist Ziyang had considered letting them advance further in the Innate Realm before merging with the Xuanyin Gu Seed.

But the problem was, each stage after the Innate Realm was profound and mysterious, relying mostly on personal comprehension.

Cultivating the Soul, Forging the Body, Strengthening the Mind, and Refining the Spirit, each step was extremely difficult. For ordinary cultivators, without external aids, it would take years, sometimes even decades.

Unless Daoist Ziyang could find Nascent Soul Dao Insights for them to use.

But if he had those, he wouldn’t be stuck at the Foundation Establishment Realm, hiding from his enemies for decades.

And the longer he spent nurturing disciples, the more variables there would be. For the sake of his grand plan, he could only choose the safest course of action.

Therefore, Daoist Ziyang couldn’t wait.

But now it was different.

Su Yiyao… had reached the Innate Realm overnight.

Seeing Daoist Ziyang’s prolonged silence, Su Yiyao repeated her question, her tone colder.

“Master, after reaching the Innate Realm, how should I cultivate?”

“Cultivate, oh… right, you can cultivate.”

Daoist Ziyang composed himself, hesitated for a moment, then took out a jade slip and carefully handed it to Su Yiyao.

“Su Yiyao, cultivate this scripture first. The matter of formal initiation will have to be delayed for a while.”

This time, Daoist Ziyang didn’t dare to casually hand it to a maid, because what he took out was the true inheritance of the Xuanyin Phoenix Transformation Scripture.

This was the jade slip he had received from his Master, True Person Phoenix Yin.

As for the possibility of Su Yiyao successfully cultivating the Xuanyin Phoenix Transformation Scripture…

Daoist Ziyang would only be happier. The chances of successfully merging with the Xuanyin Gu Seed would increase significantly.

But unfortunately, it was impossible.

The inheritance of the Xuanyin Phoenix Transformation Scripture was incomplete, the technique flawed.

Otherwise, Daoist Ziyang wouldn’t have needed to refine True Person Phoenix Yin’s remains into the Xuanyin Gu Seed.

Su Yiyao took the jade slip and casually placed it in her sleeve, then said directly,

“I also need pills.”

She knew very well that Daoist Ziyang would agree.

Because Ah Chou had told her that Daoist Ziyang wanted them to cultivate as quickly as possible, so he couldn’t refuse.

Huang Xinya, who was standing beside them, finally couldn’t stand it anymore and jumped out, saying,

“Su Yiyao! Who do you think you are, how dare you speak to Master like…”

“Alright.”

Before Huang Xinya could finish, Daoist Ziyang nodded and took out a box, handing it to Su Yiyao.

“There are five inside. If it’s not enough, tell me.”

Daoist Ziyang saw Su Yiyao’s attitude, but he didn’t care. He didn’t care what Su Yiyao was planning.

Daoist Ziyang only needed one result, and that was for Su Yiyao to successfully merge with the Xuanyin Gu Seed. Besides that, even if Su Yiyao insulted him to his face, it wouldn’t matter.

Because of his strength, Daoist Ziyang wasn’t worried about any accidents. His Foundation Establishment cultivation was his absolute guarantee.

“I look forward… to you reaching the Spirit Condensation Realm with this scripture.”

Daoist Ziyang smiled faintly and turned to leave, ignoring Huang Xinya and Yu Yiling.

In his eyes, they had already lost their value.

Mortals with no value… were like ants.

…

In the darkness, Luo Xue slowly opened her eyes.

“This… is the Xuanyin Puppet Refining Formation?”

She looked at the formation runes slowly appearing around her, her expression turning serious.

After the dust settled last night, Luo Xue had been taken by Daoist Ziyang to the depths of Mount Ziyang, even deeper than the location of the Foundation Establishment battle.

The concentration of Yin Breath Poison here was so high that it was suffocating. Luo Xue could feel a slight dampness just by touching her skin.

…It was Yin Breath Poison so concentrated that it had condensed into liquid.

And around Luo Xue was the formation laid down by Daoist Ziyang.

This time, Luo Xue understood the function of the formation: it was gathering the surrounding Yin Breath Poison.

Even if Luo Xue didn’t know Daoist Ziyang’s puppet refining methods, she could roughly guess what he was planning.

Luo Xue opened the panel, and bright red text appeared:

[Survival Status: Gu Seed Implantation]

“Poison me to death with Yin Breath Poison, then control my body with the Gu Seed?”

So Yin Puppets were just an extra step of being poisoned to death…

Unfortunately for him, Luo Xue wasn’t afraid of Yin Breath Poison.

The red text on the panel flickered, and Luo Xue directly raised her Yin Poison Resistance to 100.

Instantly, the slightly cold environment around her became much milder, allowing her to breathe.

Luo Xue also spent 10 survival points to improve her survival status, directly removing the Gu Seed Implantation.

“Done.”

Luo Xue clapped her hands, completely solving the problem of Daoist Ziyang’s puppet refining.

But it cost her a whole 70 survival points. The points she had painstakingly accumulated were almost all gone.

Luo Xue couldn’t help but feel a bit distressed.

“It seems I only have 20 survival points left, far from being able to get rid of ‘Almost None’…”

As she spoke, Luo Xue opened the survival point panel and was instantly stunned.

“Eh, 70 points?”

She quickly opened the transaction record to see what was going on.

[Experienced Dangerous Event: Escaped Foundation Establishment Battle]
[Survival Points: +50]

Well, the situation back then was indeed very dangerous.

Zhang San and Li Si were genuine Foundation Establishment cultivators, not to mention Daoist Ziyang.

If neither side had paid attention to her, she wouldn’t have been able to escape.

For a mortal, such a feat was indeed worth fifty points!

However…

“Still not enough, 30 points short.”

Luo Xue was a bit troubled. She at least wanted to upgrade her aptitude, otherwise, she wouldn’t even be able to step onto the immortal path.

Relying solely on attribute points was quite risky…

Chapter 20: Innate Overnight

If Luo Xue knew about Su Yiyao’s peculiar train of thought, she would have been speechless.

Daoist Ziyang was hoping that the seeds under his care would sprout and grow quickly, until they could merge with the Xuanyin Gu Seed, allowing him to transform and cultivate the Xuanyin Phoenix Transformation Scripture.

Su Yiyao’s actions were actually fulfilling Daoist Ziyang’s wish.

But now, Luo Xue just sat on the raft, waiting for her inevitable end.

Soon, a tall, thin figure appeared before Luo Xue. She looked up and saw a soft, smiling face.

“Good evening, Chief Eunuch.” Luo Xue raised an eyebrow.

“Chief… Chief Eunuch?”

Daoist Ziyang was taken aback, not understanding what Luo Xue meant.

“It means the head eunuch.”

Luo Xue explained.

“And what is a eunuch?”

Daoist Ziyang wasn’t in a hurry and asked with interest.

“Simply put, it’s a castrated man.” Luo Xue paused, then added, fearing Daoist Ziyang still wouldn’t understand, “Someone without a manhood.”

“So you’re mocking me?”

Daoist Ziyang wasn’t angry. He simply looked Luo Xue up and down, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes.

What surprised him was that back in the depths of Mount Ziyang, Luo Xue’s meridians had been completely severed, and she couldn’t even move.

But now, she was completely healed, full of energy.

Fully recovered in such a short time…

Coupled with her previous ability to withstand the Yin Breath Poison as a mortal…

“This little mouse has quite a few secrets…”

Daoist Ziyang’s interest grew. After all, once Luo Xue was refined into a Yin Puppet, all of this would belong to him.

Yin Puppets were different from ordinary puppets. They retained their souls and memories, and would also be controlled by Daoist Ziyang.

As for Luo Xue’s mockery, Daoist Ziyang didn’t care much.

“I lost, there’s nothing more to say.” Luo Xue shrugged. “Daoist Ziyang, aren’t you going to refine me into a Yin Puppet? Go ahead.”

“Aren’t you afraid?”

Daoist Ziyang asked back. He couldn’t understand Luo Xue at all.

He had already confirmed that Luo Xue’s bone age was indeed no more than ten years old.

And there were no traces of other cultivators on her, she was completely a mortal.

Yet this mortal had almost ruined his decades-long plan.

“If I were afraid, would you not capture me and refine me into a Yin Puppet?” Luo Xue looked away.

“I still would.”

“Then what’s the difference?”

Daoist Ziyang was silent for a moment, the smile on his face fading slightly.

“You sharp-tongued little wretch.”

Luo Xue didn’t say anything more.

“But it doesn’t matter, I’m not worried, and I won’t kill you.”

Daoist Ziyang flicked his sleeve and turned around.

“After I refine you into a Yin Puppet…” He turned his head slightly. “Even if you want to die, I won’t let you.”

Daoist Ziyang was very interested in the secret of how Luo Xue could withstand the Yin Breath Poison and instantly recover from serious injuries, but he wasn’t in a hurry.

Everything… could wait until the matter of the Xuanyin Gu Seed was settled.

…

Dawn broke.

After last night’s battle, Daoist Ziyang’s strength had been greatly reduced.

Zhang San and Li Si were also Foundation Establishment cultivators, although they had reached this realm by seizing the cultivation of multiple cauldrons using the Heaven-Seizing Evil Art. Their strength was real, but their future cultivation progress would be limited.

They knew very well that the Heaven-Seizing Evil Art had its limits. If they couldn’t find a peerless genius as a cauldron, their immortal path would end there.

That was why they had taken this risk.

Unfortunately…

Although Daoist Ziyang was at the same Foundation Establishment Realm as them, as a disciple of True Person Phoenix Yin, his strength was vastly different from ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivators.

Even under the pressure of the Spirit Locking Formation, Daoist Ziyang had still managed to kill the two of them by relying on the formation inscribed on his body.

Of course, Zhang San and Li Si’s attack wasn’t completely ineffective.

Daoist Ziyang’s injuries were severe. His cultivation had dropped significantly, even damaging his foundation, falling from the peak of Foundation Establishment to the mid-stage, and it was still declining.

More importantly, his most important trump card, the formation inscribed on his body, had been destroyed. It would take him years to fully recover.

During this time, Daoist Ziyang couldn’t afford to scheme any further; just being able to recover from his injuries would be good enough. Therefore, he could only be forced into hiding.

“It’s too late to find another batch of seeds now.” Daoist Ziyang looked at the Xuanyin Gu Seed in his hand, his eyes turning fierce. “It seems, Master, your disciple can only… take the most desperate path.”

At this moment, Daoist Ziyang had imprisoned Luo Xue in the Yin Breath Puppet Refining Formation and returned to the courtyard where Su Yiyao and the others were staying.

He wanted to see if there was still a chance.

As soon as he entered the courtyard, Daoist Ziyang saw Huang Xinya and Yu Yiling standing blankly in front of a room.

Daoist Ziyang frowned slightly. He remembered that this was Luo Xue’s residence.

And… there was another girl living inside.

“Su Yiyao…”

Daoist Ziyang narrowed his eyes.

He had already noticed that Su Yiyao hadn’t been cultivating seriously recently, which was why her progress was so slow.

But it didn’t matter, because Su Yiyao had the worst aptitude in the test, even worse than Luo Xue.

So Daoist Ziyang didn’t have much hope for her.

But the problem was…

Her consumption of Dao Insights was abnormal.

Dao Insights were a very precious cultivation resource, extremely beneficial for comprehending the Dao and cultivating.

They were usually emitted by ancient treasures or special objects, and were very rare.

Daoist Ziyang happened to have a few Soul Calming Incenses. The Dao Insights emitted when they were burned were beneficial even to Foundation Establishment cultivators.

He had originally planned to use them to attempt breaking through to the Core Formation Realm, but due to the urgency of the situation, he had been forced to use them on these girls who hadn’t even reached the Innate Realm.

Such precious items, Daoist Ziyang naturally kept track of their consumption.

But Su Yiyao… her Dao Insight consumption was three to four times that of the others, yet her cultivation speed was far slower. It pained Daoist Ziyang so much that he almost wanted to take them back.

So, what was going on?

Daoist Ziyang took a few steps forward, and Huang Xinya and Yu Yiling noticed him and hurriedly bowed.

“Greetings, Master!”

“What’s wrong?”

Daoist Ziyang looked towards the room, his gaze pausing slightly.

Huang Xinya and Yu Yiling exchanged glances, then bowed again.

“Su Yiyao… has entered the Innate Realm.”

Daoist Ziyang: “???”

Innate Realm?

Wasn’t she at Sensitive Nose yesterday?

Even Daoist Ziyang was stunned.

Between Sensitive Nose and the Innate Realm, there were still two minor realms, Bright Eyes and Spiritual Insight, and the threshold of a major realm!

All crossed in just one night?

How… was that possible?!

But after carefully sensing, Daoist Ziyang’s face was filled with unconcealed surprise.

“She really… has reached the Innate Realm…”

Chapter 19: Xiao Yao Wants to Cultivate Diligently!

It had failed.

All of this was doomed to fail from the very beginning.

Whether it was the Cloud Wanderer or the seemingly endless, calm waters around Mount Ziyang, it was all an illusion.

Beyond the true Mount Ziyang lay a hellish landscape.

Even Foundation Establishment cultivators would likely find it difficult to cross such a terrifying poisonous swamp alone, let alone ordinary people.

Su Yiyao, who hadn’t reached the Innate Realm, was no different from an ordinary person in a sense.

“Months of planning, ultimately ending in failure…”

Luo Xue took a deep breath and turned to look at Su Yiyao.

“You go back first, Xiao Yao.”

“We’re… not leaving?”

Su Yiyao tilted her head, asking with confusion.

“The time is not right.”

Luo Xue smiled gently and rubbed her hair.

The battle on Daoist Ziyang’s side had probably ended. Whether Zhang San and Li Si’s attack had succeeded or Daoist Ziyang had managed to kill them, they wouldn’t let Luo Xue go.

Because Luo Xue already knew the truth.

Keeping her alive would be a disaster.

Therefore, Luo Xue didn’t want to implicate Su Yiyao.

Without Luo Xue’s involvement, at least until she reached the Innate Realm, Su Yiyao would likely be safe.

“Let’s live for as long as we can.”

Thinking of this, Luo Xue pushed Su Yiyao away and sat alone on the raft.

“But, Ah Chou, you…”

Su Yiyao hesitated, vaguely feeling that Ah Chou was planning something.

Perhaps… she wouldn’t see Ah Chou again.

When this thought crossed her mind, Su Yiyao felt an inexplicable unease.

“Be obedient and go back.” Luo Xue had calmed down. She looked directly into Su Yiyao’s beautiful eyes and said seriously, “You promised, Xiao Yao, you would be obedient.”

“But…”

“Be obedient.”

Luo Xue repeated softly.

“Mmm…”

Su Yiyao reluctantly nodded, moving her feet towards the courtyard.

She looked back at her beloved Ah Chou with reluctance, only to see Ah Chou looking up at the sky, lost in thought.

…

In the quiet night, Su Yiyao walked back to the courtyard, feeling lost.

Looking up, she saw the other two little girls looking at her coldly.

“Oh, weren’t you running away with that ugly freak? How dare you come back?”

Huang Xinya was the first to speak, her face full of mockery.

“That ugly freak can’t even cultivate, she’s a complete waste. She angered Master, why would you follow her?”

Yu Yiling said hypocritically, but the ridicule in her eyes couldn’t be hidden.

Su Yiyao just glanced at them and walked past, returning to her room step by step.

“That girl… how dare she ignore us…”

Huang Xinya’s face flushed red with anger as she glared at Su Yiyao’s room.

Yu Yiling glanced at her and sneered,

“Let her be proud for a few days. From now on, she’ll be forever separated from the immortal path—with her aptitude, it will be difficult for her to even reach the Innate Realm.”

“Whose aptitude?”

Just then, a familiar yet somewhat strange voice rang out, startling Yu Yiling and Huang Xinya.

Turning around, they saw the thin figure they had been longing to see standing not far away, his snake-like pupils filling their vision.

“It’s… it’s Master! Master is back!” Huang Xinya and Yu Yiling hurriedly bowed respectfully. “Greetings, Master!”

Daoist Ziyang was silent for a moment, his snake-like pupils and oppressive aura instantly dissipating, his tone returning to its usual gentleness.

“Rise.”

“Yes, Master.”

The two girls stood up and saw that Daoist Ziyang’s face was pale, and a strong smell of blood lingered around him.

“Master, what’s wrong?”

Yu Yiling asked nervously.

Daoist Ziyang looked deeply at her, making her heart pound, before slowly speaking,

“I’ve been slightly injured.”

“It’s that ugly freak!” Huang Xinya suddenly exclaimed. “Master, could it be that ugly freak who injured you?”

“Hm?”

Daoist Ziyang was taken aback. How did this little girl come to that conclusion?

How could a dignified Foundation Establishment cultivator be injured by a mortal?

“We saw her sneaking back just now, then she packed her things and ran away. Look, in that direction.”

Yu Yiling hurriedly spoke first, even pointing the direction for Daoist Ziyang.

Huang Xinya, who hadn’t managed to speak, glared at Yu Yiling, as if saying, “How dare you steal my words.”

“…That way?”

Daoist Ziyang looked in the direction Yu Yiling pointed, his eyes narrowing.

“Did she say anything?”

Daoist Ziyang asked softly.

“She said… she seemed to say that you were going to kill her?” Huang Xinya finally managed to speak. “Yes, that’s right!”

“Nothing else?”

“No.”

The two girls shook their heads.

The weight in Daoist Ziyang’s heart lifted, and he looked at Yu Yiling and Huang Xinya approvingly.

He had thought that after Luo Xue escaped, she would definitely tell everyone everything, and then this batch of seeds would be ruined.

But unexpectedly, she hadn’t said anything…

“That little mouse is quite sensible, just wanting to escape from here… Heh, wishful thinking.” Daoist Ziyang smiled inwardly. “I suppose she has already seen the true scene outside Mount Ziyang?”

“You two go and rest. I’ll bring her back and punish her.” Daoist Ziyang looked gently at the two little girls, their faces beaming with the desire for praise. “Afterward, I will help you reach the Innate Realm as soon as possible.”

“Thank you, Master!”

Hearing this, Huang Xinya and Yu Yiling immediately beamed, bowing repeatedly before happily returning to their rooms to sleep.

Daoist Ziyang stood there for a while, then, as if realizing something, he smiled again.

“Interesting.”

He turned and left, not using any immortal techniques, but walking step by step in the direction Luo Xue had gone.

Su Yiyao, watching all of this from the window of her room, dejectedly walked back to her bed.

Her heart was in turmoil, feeling that something bad was about to happen to Ah Chou.

But Su Yiyao didn’t know what to do, what she could do to help Ah Chou.

She wasn’t stupid, nor was she someone who only followed Luo Xue around.

The fear she had felt when she woke up in the carriage and witnessed the truth, the long loneliness, hadn’t broken her spirit.

But if she acted rashly now, she might harm Ah Chou and implicate herself as well.

“No… I must save Ah Chou…”

Su Yiyao sat on the bed, slowly closing her eyes, recalling everything Luo Xue had told her over and over again.

Innate Realm… Xuanyin Gu Seed… Puppets… Natal Magical Treasure…

“I want to cultivate!”

Su Yiyao suddenly opened her eyes, her expression resolute.

Actually, Su Yiyao didn’t quite understand everything Luo Xue had said.

She didn’t understand, even after careful consideration, her mind was still a mess.

So Su Yiyao’s thought process was simple: to save Ah Chou, she had to defeat Daoist Ziyang.

If the Innate Realm wasn’t enough, then Spirit Condensation, Foundation Establishment…

Su Yiyao clenched her fists.

In any case, Xiao Yao had to cultivate diligently!

Chapter 18: Illusion of Despair

Escaping Mount Ziyang was something Luo Xue had been planning all along.

In terms of importance, it even outweighed investigating Daoist Ziyang’s secret and the truth behind everything.

After all, only by surviving could there be a future.

So, during these past few months, Luo Xue had often left the courtyard to observe the surrounding terrain, especially the water they had arrived on.

Mount Ziyang was less a mountain and more an island.

It was surrounded by water in all directions, a boundless expanse with no end in sight.

However, on their way here, Luo Xue had secretly memorized the route and the location where the Cloud Wanderer had docked.

And during her free time, Luo Xue had used the available materials to build a small raft.

The small raft could at least carry two children away from Mount Ziyang. As for how far they could go, it was all up to fate.

…In any case, it was much better than staying in this deadly place.

There was also good news: during their time on the Cloud Wanderer, Luo Xue had never seen any waves on the water, so they didn’t have to worry about capsizing.

The distance between the courtyard and the water’s edge wasn’t far. It only took Luo Xue and Su Yiyao about ten minutes at full speed.

Soon, the shimmering reflection of the moonlight on the water illuminated their faces.

Luo Xue breathed a sigh of relief and looked back. Flames still seemed to be rising in the distance; the fierce cultivator duel hadn’t ended yet.

“Foundation Establishment cultivators…”

Luo Xue’s eyes narrowed. Foundation Establishment cultivators were powerful, but not invincible. It was just that they weren’t strong enough yet.

One day… they would return.

“Let’s go.”

Luo Xue took Su Yiyao’s hand and ran to a large rock, pulling a small raft out from underneath it.

Calling it a small raft was an overstatement; it was just a few logs tied together with ropes.

However, these logs were rather peculiar, incredibly light, even Luo Xue could barely push them.

With Luo Xue and Su Yiyao working together, they quickly pushed the raft to the water’s edge.

But just as Luo Xue was about to push the raft into the water, something strange happened.

“Ah, Ah Chou…”

Su Yiyao suddenly stopped, looking up at Luo Xue with a puzzled expression.

“What’s wrong, Xiao Yao?”

Luo Xue was slightly taken aback.

“Look, the raft seems to be… broken?”

Su Yiyao pointed to the front of the raft and whispered.

Luo Xue had been pushing the raft from behind, so she hadn’t noticed the situation at the front.

Looking at it now, a hint of shock appeared in Luo Xue’s eyes.

No, it wasn’t broken…

It was… disappearing.

About a tenth of the front of the raft had vanished, the cross-section almost reaching the point where the ropes were tied.

“What’s going on?”

Luo Xue stood up, intending to go and take a closer look.

But before she could take two steps, Su Yiyao’s panicked scream rang out,

“Ah! Ah Chou, you… you…”

“What’s wrong with me?”

Luo Xue turned around.

“You’re… also… broken…”

Su Yiyao covered her mouth, looking at Luo Xue with worry and panic.

Luo Xue turned her head, her pupils constricting.

She clearly saw that her left arm had also disappeared.

But the problem was, Luo Xue could still feel the presence of her left arm. She made a fist; there was nothing unusual.

Wait!

Just then, Luo Xue realized something. She took a few steps back and looked at her left arm again.

Sure enough, it reappeared.

Luo Xue’s expression turned serious as she looked up at the water.

Seeing this, Su Yiyao gasped slightly. Luo Xue’s sudden abnormality had frightened her.

“Perhaps I know what’s going on…”

Luo Xue took a deep breath and walked forward step by step.

As Su Yiyao watched in horror, Luo Xue’s body gradually dissipated.

“Ah Chou!”

Su Yiyao’s heart pounded, and she immediately rushed forward, trying to grab Luo Xue, who was about to disappear completely.

“No, don’t…”

“I’m fine.” Luo Xue’s calm voice rang out. She steadied the stumbling Su Yiyao and covered her eyes with her hand. “Don’t look, Xiao Yao. Go back.”

“Ah Chou…”

“I’m fine.”

Luo Xue gently pushed Su Yiyao back.

At the same time, she turned and walked back, her vanished form reappearing.

“What’s wrong?” Su Yiyao, still shaken, looked at the silent Luo Xue. “Ah Chou, just now… what happened?”

“…We can’t leave.”

Luo Xue whispered, her expression grave.

She turned her head slightly. In her vision, the boundless water surface was exceptionally calm, reflecting the starry night sky, creating a breathtaking view.

But a few steps away, it was completely different.

“The entire Mount Ziyang… is enveloped in an illusion…”

Luo Xue closed her eyes in despair.

This illusion made everyone believe that Mount Ziyang was located in a paradise-like wonderland.

In reality… Mount Ziyang was surrounded by a poisonous swamp filled with death and decay.

The beautiful starry sky was real, but beneath it, an endless miasma of foul air hung over the stinking swamp, bubbling constantly and emitting an even more pungent stench.

Terrifying swamp beasts roamed freely, and the remains of creatures corroded by the poison were everywhere.

To protect the ten-year-old Xiao Yao, Luo Xue couldn’t bear to let her see such a horrific scene, so she immediately retreated back into the protection of the illusion.

And, what was worse…

If this was the case, then this small raft wouldn’t be able to carry them on their escape.

They had failed before they even began.

Luo Xue opened her eyes and looked into the distance.

At some point, all movement had ceased.

The night… returned to silence.

…

“Truly worthy… of being True Person Phoenix Yin’s successor disciple. A mere Foundation Establishment cultivator… even bound by the Spirit Locking Formation, can still fight one against two and defeat us.”

Zhang San gasped heavily, insects constantly crawling out of his severed arm. These were the Gu insects Daoist Ziyang had planted earlier.

On the other side, Li Si lay on the ground, eyes bulging, his body surrounded by countless iron shavings. His Natal Magical Treasure had been destroyed.

Daoist Ziyang wasn’t much better off. The formation runes inscribed on his body were tattered.

Countless gruesome wounds almost tore his body apart, and his messy, long hair was matted with blood.

His eyes were bloodshot, and he looked like a crazed demon.

The Xuanyin Gu Seed floated in mid-air beside him, slowly revolving.

“If not… for these useless trash… unable to even bear a sliver of my Master’s power, how could it have taken so much effort for me to deal with you two little insects?”

Daoist Ziyang stumbled towards Zhang San, his eyes filled with murderous intent.

“Die!”

Sword light flashed, and a head fell to the ground, the Natal Magical Treasure shattering.

“I… am a cut above you!”

Daoist Ziyang grinned ferociously, then slowly turned his gaze towards the distance, his expression even more sinister.

“Now, it’s time to deal with that little mouse…”

Chapter 17: Escape

The courtyard gate wasn’t closed; it was still half-open.

Dim lanterns illuminated the night within the courtyard, and the rooms were brightly lit, with faint shadows of small figures visible.

Two stiff-faced puppet maids stood guard in front of Luo Xue’s room, not moving an inch.

Everything was exactly as it had been when Luo Xue left.

“As expected…”

Seeing this, Luo Xue felt much more at ease.

The puppet maids hadn’t changed at all due to the situation with Daoist Ziyang, which meant there was no spiritual or soul connection between the puppets and him.

In other words, they were more like objects.

Although… they were once living people.

Luo Xue recalled everything that had just happened, and Daoist Ziyang’s mad ramblings, a flicker of pity in her eyes.

But she also knew that these maids had actually died a long, long time ago, not even their souls remaining.

There was… no point in saving them.

Of course, Luo Xue hadn’t rushed back to lament this, but to take Su Yiyao away from this dangerous place immediately.

Daoist Ziyang’s plot had been completely exposed. If they didn’t leave now, Li Zining’s fate would be their future.

As for Yu Yiling and Huang Xinya…

Luo Xue knew very well that no matter how she explained it, they would never believe her.

Especially since this matter involved Daoist Ziyang. Before witnessing the truth with their own eyes, Yu Yiling and Huang Xinya’s trust in the immortal who had bestowed upon them immortal destiny would naturally far outweigh their trust in Luo Xue.

She wanted to save them, but she could only save those who could be saved.

“Xiao Yao…”

Luo Xue quickly stepped into the room, and Su Yiyao immediately awoke from her meditation.

The moment she opened her eyes and saw Luo Xue covered in blood, her expression turned to panic.

“Ah Chou, you… what happened to you?”

Luo Xue’s clothes were tattered, her body covered in blood, not to mention the dried blood around her seven orifices. She looked truly frightening.

“I’m fine.” Luo Xue casually wiped away the blood, gesturing for Su Yiyao not to worry, then said in a serious tone, “We have to leave Mount Ziyang immediately!”

“But, but…”

Su Yiyao panicked. She knew Ah Chou had been investigating Daoist Ziyang’s plot, the truth behind everything from the dim carriage to Mount Ziyang.

But she didn’t expect a crisis to arrive so soon.

“Daoist Ziyang is being held up and won’t be back for a while. Now is our best chance!”

Luo Xue spoke quickly, then bent down and pulled out two cloth backpacks from under the bed. Inside were enough rations for seven days.

Luo Xue had been preparing these things, waiting for the moment when Daoist Ziyang would lower his guard or be preoccupied.

The chance to escape was fleeting; there wouldn’t be much time for her to pack.

Seeing Luo Xue’s agile movements, not looking like someone who had been seriously injured, Su Yiyao calmed down a bit, but then became nervous again.

“Ah Chou, did you see Daoist Ziyang… doing something?”

“I’ll tell you later.”

Luo Xue quickly changed into a spare set of clothes, washed her face, then took Su Yiyao’s hand and walked out.

But before they could take a few steps out of the courtyard, Huang Xinya’s voice came from behind,

“…Where are you going?”

Turning around, they saw Huang Xinya and Yu Yiling standing behind them.

Luo Xue was already used to their disdainful and scornful gazes.

“It seems the noise I made when I came back also alerted them…”

Luo Xue thought to herself. Since that was the case, she might as well tell them the truth.

But whether they believed it or not…

“Daoist Ziyang is going to kill us all. You should run too.” Luo Xue whispered, then turned and left.

She didn’t have much time and couldn’t afford to waste it arguing with these two little girls. A single warning was her limit.

Su Yiyao naturally followed closely behind Luo Xue. They hurried away, their figures quickly disappearing into the night.

Only Yu Yiling and Huang Xinya remained, their faces filled with disbelief, unable to react for a long time.

It was understandable. Unlike Luo Xue and Su Yiyao, who were always wary, the other three girls regarded Daoist Ziyang as their most respected master.

Otherwise, Li Zining wouldn’t have been able to believe until the very end that her master would kill her, thinking it was because she hadn’t cultivated diligently enough.

Now, with Luo Xue’s abrupt words, they naturally wouldn’t believe her, only finding it absurd.

“What a joke, Master wants to kill us?” Yu Yiling sneered. “I’m afraid they’ve gone mad from their cultivation!”

“After all, they’re just two pieces of trash, forever unable to enter the immortal path, and they’ll never earn Master’s favor.” Huang Xinya said disdainfully. “Unlike us, once we enter Spiritual Insight and reach the Post-Heaven Realm, we can become Master’s official disciples.”

“Then… we will be true immortals.”

Thinking of this, both of them smiled.

“However, they seem to be trying to escape?” Yu Yiling frowned slightly. “Why would they run away?”

“Perhaps they did something wrong and angered Master?” Huang Xinya said uncertainly. “Thinking about it carefully, it’s certainly possible…”

“No wonder they said Master wants to kill them.”

Looking in the direction Luo Xue and Su Yiyao had disappeared, disgust flashed in Yu Yiling’s eyes.

“If that’s the case… then let’s remember the direction they went, and when Master returns, we’ll tell him everything!” Huang Xinya suddenly brightened, clapping her hands.

How could she be so clever!

This way, Master might even praise her, and perhaps even reward her with an immortal pill…

Hearing this, Yu Yiling’s expression changed slightly, annoyed that she hadn’t thought of this herself.

However, since Huang Xinya had already said it…

“As soon as Master returns, I’ll be the first to tell him!”

Yu Yiling secretly made up her mind, then smiled and complimented Huang Xinya,

“Sister Xinya is so wise, you’re absolutely right.”

“Naturally.”

Huang Xinya puffed up with pride.

…

“Li Zining… is dead?”

Su Yiyao murmured softly.

“Yes, a gruesome death. Daoist Ziyang even ripped out her heart.” Luo Xue said, then hesitated for a moment. “Oh right, this blood on me is from her.”

She couldn’t possibly say she had the ability to instantly heal, could she?

Besides… even if she said it, it would be difficult to explain in a short time.

“As long as Ah Chou is fine.”

Su Yiyao turned slightly to look at Luo Xue’s scarred face, a happy smile appearing on her lips as she tightened her grip on Luo Xue’s hand.

“Fortunately, those two trafficker guards who were refined into puppets suddenly appeared. It turns out it was a trap set by other cultivators. They fought with Daoist Ziyang, and I had the chance to escape.”

Luo Xue sighed. Her mind was in turmoil, but she didn’t notice the look in Su Yiyao’s eyes.

A look that seemed to hold a hint of innocent affection.

Meanwhile, they had almost reached the water’s edge.

Chapter 16: Foundation Establishment Duel, Danger Approaches

In reality, Daoist Ziyang’s situation was similar to Zhang San and Li Si’s.

However, he was even more obsessed, directly refining his master’s remains into his Natal Magical Treasure.

Such a powerful Natal Magical Treasure, combined with the peerless Dao technique contained within, required an exceptionally rare cauldron to host it.

Daoist Ziyang had already searched for countless cauldrons, his numerous attempts resulting in countless failures, and even now, he hadn’t succeeded.

And the time he had left… was running out.

“Don’t be so angry. We just happened to run into you and followed you out of curiosity.”

Zhang San chuckled, looking at Daoist Ziyang with mocking eyes.

“I didn’t expect that True Person Phoenix Yin would have a successor…”

The two traffickers Daoist Ziyang had found were indeed ordinary, but after accepting the task, they were refined into cauldrons by the current Zhang San and Li Si using the Heaven-Seizing Evil Art.

Everything that happened afterward was beyond Daoist Ziyang’s control.

The biggest mistake Daoist Ziyang made was bringing the puppet Zhang San and Li Si back to Mount Ziyang.

Otherwise, he wouldn’t have been exposed.

While they were confronting each other, Luo Xue, who had been tossed aside, slowly opened her eyes.

Although several figures appeared in her blurry vision, Luo Xue was too weak to pay attention.

She gasped for air, struggling to sit up.

The formation Zhang San and Li Si had set up only affected cultivators’ spiritual energy and had no effect on ordinary people.

Furthermore, with the presence of other cultivators, Daoist Ziyang had already forgotten about Luo Xue, and Zhang San and Li Si weren’t interested in an ordinary person who couldn’t cultivate.

Luo Xue keenly sensed this. She pressed her hand against her chest, trying to move her stiff and aching limbs.

Just then, the panel system sent a notification.

[Completed Dangerous Event: Discovered Foundation Establishment Cultivator’s Life-or-Death Secret]
[Survival Points +100]

A whole hundred survival points, more than three times the previous reward.

After all, compared to the last time, the danger level of this event was also several times higher.

More importantly, Luo Xue had obtained Daoist Ziyang’s most important secret.

The truth behind this sudden encounter with immortal destiny.

After receiving the survival points, Luo Xue didn’t hesitate. She immediately opened the complex version of the panel and selected an option.

[Survival Status: Critical]

Although a hundred survival points were just enough to raise her cultivation aptitude by one level, it wouldn’t improve her current situation.

The most urgent matter was to escape the scene of the battle between Daoist Ziyang and the other cultivators.

And… she had to take Xiao Yao away from this dangerous place as soon as possible.

[Improving Survival Status: -10]
[Survival Status: Good]

Instantly, a gentle warmth flowed through Luo Xue’s body.

Her severely damaged seven orifices slowly healed, her five senses returned, her stiff limbs relaxed, and even her strength was replenished.

Although her outward appearance was still terrible, Luo Xue’s body was now completely healed.

All her injuries, even old hidden ones, were completely healed at this moment.

“Worthy of the 10 survival points that allowed me to withstand a wave of Yin Breath Poison…”

However, poison resistance was permanent, while healing injuries was a one-time effect.

But Luo Xue didn’t have time to feel distressed about this consumption. After all, besides those 10 points, she had earned 90.

It was just too risky…

“Leave immediately!”

Seeing that Daoist Ziyang and Zhang San and Li Si were about to fight, Luo Xue naturally didn’t have the leisure to watch immortals duel.

So, after confirming that none of them were paying attention to her, Luo Xue turned and ran.

Luo Xue’s movements naturally didn’t escape the notice of the cultivators, but now, they had no time to care about the actions of a mere mortal.

In a cultivator duel, life and death were decided in an instant.

For this battle, Zhang San and Li Si had made ample preparations, taking Daoist Ziyang by surprise and setting up a formation in advance.

Moreover, Daoist Ziyang’s Heaven-Seizing Evil Art wasn’t complete yet, and he could only rely on his own cultivation to deal with them, so he was at a disadvantage no matter what.

Before the fight even began, Daoist Ziyang was already on the losing side.

However…

“Since you know I am a disciple of True Person Phoenix Yin,” Daoist Ziyang suddenly grinned, “then you should know even better what True Person Phoenix Yin… my Master, was famous for throughout the world.”

“…Formations.”

Zhang San and Li Si’s eyes flickered, finally losing their mocking expressions and becoming serious.

“You have some knowledge,” Daoist Ziyang sneered, walking towards them while tearing his clothes. “I know you have already destroyed the surrounding formations, but you didn’t expect…”

“My strongest formation… is on my body!”

As his voice fell, Daoist Ziyang ripped off all his clothes, revealing his bronze-colored body covered in snake-like runes.

At the same time, Zhang San and Li Si were startled to find a pair of eerie snake pupils appearing in their vision, unable to escape no matter what they did.

The battle of immortals began.

…

The earth shook behind her, flames shooting into the sky, and she could vaguely see fragments of the courtyard.

Luo Xue glanced back during her escape, but these few glances were enough to make her heart tremble.

“This power… not as strong as a nuclear bomb, but at least on the level of a fuel-air bomb…”

Luo Xue’s understanding of cultivators came mostly from books. This was the first time she had witnessed a cultivator duel firsthand.

Just the aftershocks of the battle were enough to tear apart the surrounding forest.

If Luo Xue hadn’t run fast enough and been caught in the aftershocks, she probably wouldn’t even have the chance to use her survival points to heal her injuries.

And this was just a Foundation Establishment cultivator.

According to the books, Foundation Establishment cultivators were only at the level of inner disciples in immortal sects.

There were also deacons, elders, and the like, who were thousands of times stronger than Foundation Establishment cultivators.

“The path of immortality… is so terrifying…”

Before coming to the Immortal Martial World, Luo Xue had thought that cultivation involved everyone wearing the same white robes, spending their days doing nothing… or rather, cultivating, on immortal mountains shrouded in mist.

And their main task was to fall in love, especially the classic pairing of immortals and demon lords…

Now it seemed that when immortals and demon lords met, it was considered polite if they didn’t blow each other’s ancestral graves to smithereens.

“Those TV dramas are misleading!”

In the end, Luo Xue could only come to this conclusion.

Lost in her thoughts, Luo Xue had already approached the courtyard where Su Yiyao and the others were staying.

From afar, the courtyard at night was still quiet and peaceful.

It seemed that the commotion in the distance hadn’t affected this place at all.

Chapter 15: Puppets Reappear, Heaven-Seizing Evil Art

Sever… severed his manhood?

This time, Luo Xue was truly stunned.

So, Daoist Ziyang was… a eunuch?

“Quite funny, isn’t it?”

Daoist Ziyang’s smile became even more unsettling. At this moment, Luo Xue no longer existed in his eyes. He stared at the Xuanyin Gu Seed, whispering,

“Yes, how foolish I was… to actually try to cultivate a technique meant only for pure Yin constitutions. Even more ridiculous, it was only after many years that I learned the truth…”

His forcibly twisted body had gradually shaped Daoist Ziyang’s erratic personality.

“But I’m not resigned… I’m not resigned…”

At this point, bloody tears streamed down Daoist Ziyang’s face.

“I’m not resigned to handing over such a heaven-defying technique to someone else…”

Daoist Ziyang suddenly knelt down, kowtowing repeatedly to the Xuanyin Gu Seed.

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry… Master…”

“Please forgive your disciple… Your disciple had no other choice but to refine your remains into a Gu Seed…”

“But please rest assured, Master, your disciple will definitely find a Xuanyin Body that can absorb the Gu Seed!”

“Your disciple will use the best cauldron to refine you into the strongest magical treasure, ultimately becoming my Natal Magical Treasure…”

“That way, with the help of my Natal Magical Treasure, I can cultivate your technique!”

These words sent chills down Luo Xue’s spine. What kind of twisted personality would refine their master’s remains into a Gu Seed just to cultivate their inheritance?

Was it Daoist Ziyang’s obsession, or the cruelty… of this Immortal Martial World?

He was insane.

Not now, but… a long, long time ago.

Perhaps, the moment Daoist Ziyang decided to refine his master’s remains, he had already descended into madness.

Suddenly, Daoist Ziyang regained his composure, waving his sleeve and storing the Xuanyin Gu Seed.

He looked coldly at Luo Xue, as if everything that had just happened was an illusion.

“So… you lowly wretch, you are not worthy of carrying my Master!”

Daoist Ziyang reached out, grabbing Luo Xue out of thin air, intending to take her away from the courtyard and refine her into a Yin Puppet.

Luo Xue still clearly remembered the process of the two traffickers being refined into puppets.

From Daoist Ziyang’s words, it seemed that the pain of being refined into a Yin Puppet… was far worse than being devoured by insects.

However, in the next instant, Daoist Ziyang’s expression changed slightly.

“…Who?”

He flung Luo Xue away, and she stumbled and rolled next to Li Zining’s corpse.

Daoist Ziyang’s expression turned serious. He even summoned the flying sword he wore at his waist, which had never left its sheath.

Suddenly, the situation took a new turn.

Luo Xue, lying on the ground, struggled to raise her head, her blurry vision making out Daoist Ziyang’s constantly shifting figure, as if he was wary of something.

“Clap, clap, clap…”

Just then, several crisp claps echoed in the air.

“Splendid, truly splendid. I didn’t expect the Immortal Master would show such an unsightly state because of a mere mortal.”

A tall and a short, a fat and a thin figure appeared from the side, looking at Daoist Ziyang with smiles.

When Daoist Ziyang saw who it was, his pupils constricted sharply.

“Impossible!”

The newcomers… were Zhang San and Li Si, whom he had personally refined into puppets!

But how could they have regained their consciousness after becoming puppets?

The reason Daoist Ziyang was so confident in his puppets was because they were no longer human.

Yin Puppets still retained their original souls, imprisoned and tormented, but the souls of ordinary puppets were destroyed during the refining process.

The insects would devour all the flesh and blood within the body, then fill it themselves. All that remained of the puppet’s past was their skeleton and skin.

And the insects were mindless, only controlled by Daoist Ziyang.

Now… what was going on?

“Surprised?”

Zhang San raised an eyebrow. He glanced at Luo Xue, who seemed to have fallen unconscious, and continued,

“You really don’t have any brains… You fool who calls yourself a successor of the Phoenix Yin True Person.”

“Could it be…”

Daoist Ziyang followed Zhang San’s gaze and looked at Luo Xue, his heart skipping a beat.

Could this mortal be bait set by other cultivators?

Was all of this within their plan?

“Don’t misunderstand, her appearance was also unexpected for us.” Li Si crossed his arms, his voice rumbling. “However, this ugly little girl did help us a little.”

“While you were immersed in mourning your Master, the Phoenix Yin True Person, didn’t you notice the changes in the surrounding spiritual energy?” A stiff smile appeared on Zhang San’s ashen face. “At this moment, the great formation is complete.”

Daoist Ziyang focused his attention and finally saw a large formation that had been set up around them without him noticing, with the courtyard as its core.

A hastily set up formation naturally wouldn’t have much destructive power. This formation was mainly to restrict Daoist Ziyang.

As long as he was within the formation’s range, the circulation of Daoist Ziyang’s spiritual power would become sluggish and difficult.

For a cultivator who relied on spiritual power, his strength was now less than a tenth of what it was.

But at this moment, Daoist Ziyang’s biggest question was how Zhang San and Li Si had regained their consciousness.

And how had they evaded his detection?

Although mocked by Zhang San and Li Si as a brainless fool, Daoist Ziyang wasn’t stupid at all.

He hadn’t just randomly chosen a few traffickers and asked them to find girls born in the yin year, yin month, and yin day.

A bit cunning but not too much, easily blinded by greed, ordinary mortals…

Only those who met these requirements would Daoist Ziyang appear before as an Immortal Master, tempting them with immortal destiny.

It was certain that the previous Zhang San and Li Si were indeed ordinary mortals.

When exactly…

Just then, Daoist Ziyang’s gaze fell on their weapons.

A long sword and a long saber, both emitting a sinister glow.

Suddenly, it dawned on him.

“I can’t believe it… It’s actually the Heaven-Seizing Evil Art! I actually overlooked this!”

Daoist Ziyang burst into laughter, his expression once again turning manic.

“I also didn’t expect that in this world, there would be other evil cultivators like me, who have obtained this long-lost, sinister technique!”

Using another’s body as a cauldron to refine a Natal Magical Treasure.

This technique could utilize the cauldron’s aptitude to cultivate specific Dao techniques.

But because it went against the natural order, it was always considered an evil art by immortal sects.

Zhang San and Li Si had been used as cauldrons by two evil cultivators to refine Natal Magical Treasures, and their Natal Magical Treasures were those two weapons.

It could be said that these two weapons were the true Zhang San and Li Si, their true bodies.