Vol. 1 - Ch. 43 - The Morning Sun

Ji Yaoge instructed Bai Yan to take Yuan Huan and the wooden girl back to the cave residence first. She then followed Ye Long and Yue Xiao to the Ju'an Hall. Whether it was the events at Shigong Ridge or today's incident, they needed to report to Lady Ying Shuang.

All the way, she walked at the back, while Ye Long and Yue Xiao walked ahead, bickering as they went. The bickering wasn't serious; mostly, it was Yue Xiao complaining and Ye Long listening. Ji Yaoge couldn't help but smile as she listened. Nearly two hundred years had passed since their old grudges, and though the misunderstandings remained unexplained, the resentment had gradually faded. They still argued, but the sharp edges had been smoothed out, and they lived on, bickering and playing.

Suddenly, the two in front stopped walking. Yue Xiao turned around and grabbed Ji Yaoge's hand, staring at her intently. "Yaoge, I think you've become more beautiful!"

Ji Yaoge touched her face. "Really? I still look the same, don't I?"

"No, you really look prettier. It's strange... I can't quite put my finger on it." Yue Xiao, who loved to dress up and had a keen eye for beauty, couldn't pinpoint exactly what had changed about Ji Yaoge. After thinking for a while, she still couldn't figure it out. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed Ye Long also staring at Ji Yaoge's face. She raised an eyebrow and squeezed between them, blocking Ye Long's gaze. "What are you looking at? Is it that good?"

"..." Ye Long, who was inexplicably scolded, felt quite innocent—if it weren't for Yue Xiao's comment, she wouldn't have been curious. She didn't see any difference; it was still the same face.

Yue Xiao was about to scold her again, but Ji Yaoge held her hand. "Alright, stop picking on Senior Sister Ye Long. She's been putting up with you for so many years. I think it's time for you to temper your fiery temper a bit."

"Did you hear that?" Ye Long glared at Yue Xiao.

Yue Xiao was furious, poking Ji Yaoge's forehead. "You ungrateful thing, who was it that stood up for you against Gu Xingzhi from Wanren Mountain?"

"You dare bring that up?" Ye Long's face darkened instantly.

"Ah?" Yue Xiao's eyes darted around. "My chest hurts, the injury hasn't healed, it hurts..." She immediately clutched her chest and walked away.

Ji Yaoge couldn't help but laugh. For so many years, she had always been the mediator between these two.

If one day she left here, she thought she would miss them.

——

Ju'an Hall had been restored to its original state after the great battle 198 years ago. Lady Ying Shuang sat behind the curtain to see them. Ji Yaoge and Ye Long reported the events inside the hall, but Lady Ying Shuang seemed distracted, her brows furrowed with worry. Even the serious matter of offending the three sects was lightly brushed aside.

As they left Ju'an Hall, Ji Yaoge asked in confusion, "Is Lady Ying Shuang facing some difficult problem recently?"

Although Ye Long was close to Lady Ying Shuang, she didn't know either. "Senior Brother Yan sent a letter recently. After reading it, Lady Ying Shuang has been like this. We don't know what happened."

Speaking of Chixiu Palace's Senior Brother Yan Xun, he was a mysterious figure. Ji Yaoge had been here for nearly two hundred years and had only seen him twice, both times briefly, without even exchanging words. He always met Lady Ying Shuang upon his return, ignoring everyone else.

"Senior Brother Yan has been with Lady Ying Shuang for a long time, right?" Ji Yaoge asked as they walked.

"Indeed," Yue Xiao answered instead. "When we became Lady Ying Shuang's disciples, Senior Brother Yan had already been with her for a long time. It's said that he followed them when the Master was still alive. Strictly speaking, Senior Brother Yan should be considered the Master's disciple. After the Master passed away, Senior Brother Yan stayed with Lady Ying Shuang."

The Master... was he the man in the portrait hanging in Ju'an Hall?

"What kind of person was the Master? I've never heard Lady Ying Shuang or anyone mention him," Ji Yaoge asked curiously.

Ye Long, who had just reached the old locust tree, turned and shook her head. "None of us have seen the Master, and Lady Ying Shuang never talks about him. It's said that the Master originally built a cave here alone.

After saving Lady Ying Shuang and becoming her Dao companion, he expanded the cave into Chixiu Palace. The Master and Lady Ying Shuang were deeply in love, known as a famous dual cultivation couple in Tiyu State.

The Master was exceptionally talented, with outstanding cultivation, even the Mountain Lord of Tiyu State treated him with respect. In those days, Chixiu Palace was much more prestigious, with hundreds of disciples, almost like a small sect in the famous mountains and rivers.

The Master and Lady Ying Shuang's dream was to lead Chixiu Palace's disciples into orthodoxy, shedding worldly prejudices, and becoming a truly great sect. Unfortunately, the Master passed away too soon, leaving Lady Ying Shuang to support it alone.

Now, the sect is in decline, and talents are scarce." She sighed. "These are things I heard from a few old cultivators in Tiyu State. Now, most of those old cultivators are gone, either dead or left."

It's quite lamentable. Although they had never seen Chixiu Palace's most prosperous era, they could vaguely feel its past glory from the descriptions of others. Taking an unremarkable seductive sect and gradually growing it into a respected, orthodox sect admired by the world, passed down for generations—what an ambitious dream!

"So the Master..."

Anticipating Ji Yaoge's question, Yue Xiao replied directly, "The Master died of old age, succumbing to the Five Decays of Heaven and Man."

This was the only version known throughout Tiyu State and Chixiu Palace. The Five Decays of Heaven and Man were the end of the long path of cultivation for all cultivators.

"It seems the Master was an extraordinary person. By the way, why don't we have any of the Master's techniques in our sect?" Ji Yaoge continued to ask.

"Why are you so full of questions today?" Yue Xiao pinched her cheek, but Ji Yaoge dodged.

Ji Yaoge indeed seemed unusually curious today.

"I've been in the sect for so many years and never heard about our sect's history. Since we're talking about it, I'm curious."

"As for the techniques, how would we know? Maybe they're all with Lady Ying Shuang. Haven't you noticed that the 'Twelve Immortal Demon Dance,' although created by Lady Ying Shuang, was perfected with the Master's guidance? Otherwise, how could it be so powerful? Imagine how formidable the Master was. His techniques wouldn't be easily revealed," Yue Xiao said dismissively.

Ji Yaoge wanted to inquire further, but Ye Long waved her hand. "Enough of this. Yue Xiao, come with me to heal your injuries."

"I don't need your fake kindness. Wee~ Byeee" Yue Xiao rubbed her chest and ran away from the shadow of the old locust tree.

Ji Yaoge gave up her thoughts and watched Ye Long and Yue Xiao bicker as they walked away.

——

Bai Yan's cave residence wasn't far from Ji Yaoge's. Now, Yuan Huan and the wooden girl were staying there. His cave was larger than Ji Yaoge's, newly built, with five stone chambers inside. Despite Bai Yan's carefree and flirtatious nature, his cave was tastefully decorated, with lotus seats, jade beds, stone tables, paintings, and a channel with lotus plants and playful fish, making it very comfortable.

He gave the largest stone chamber to Yuan Huan and took the wooden girl to play by the stone bridge over the stream. The wooden girl was sullen, staring at her reflection in the water, ignoring Bai Yan's attempts to cheer her up.

As he was worrying, the small koi in the water suddenly leaped one after another, splashing water all over the wooden girl. She exclaimed in surprise and glared at Bai Yan. Bai Yan flashed a bright smile. "What's wrong? Who made you unhappy?"

The wooden girl leaned back on the stone railing. "No one." She was just angry at herself—Gu Xingzhi and Ji Yaoge both seemed like strangers. Despite spending two hundred years on Wanren Mountain, in the end, only she was left reminiscing.

Knock, knock—

Bai Yan tapped her arm—the wooden girl had undergone an illusion, looking like a real person, but her body was still wood when touched.

"Little wooden girl, I'm really curious about your origins. How did you end up hiding in a piece of wood?"

"Little wooden girl, little wooden girl, I have a name, you know?" The wooden girl was annoyed. She wanted to say, "Ask your senior sister about my origins," but was interrupted by someone entering from outside and swallowed her words.

Ji Yaoge had arrived.

"Where is he?" she asked Bai Yan.

Bai Yan glanced at the inner chamber. "Meditating inside." Apart from Yuan Huan, there was no one else she would ask about.

Ji Yaoge nodded and glanced at the wooden girl. They exchanged no words, and she went straight into the inner chamber.

——

Yuan Huan had already opened his eyes when he heard her footsteps. Sure enough, the fiery red cloak appeared at the entrance, like a flickering flame.

"Immortal Yuan," she greeted, standing at the entrance and bowing.

The stone chamber was quite large. Yuan Huan sat cross-legged on a lotus stone, with the twilight from the skylight casting a faint glow, making him look like a deity. This made Ji Yaoge suddenly feel cautious, so she greeted him properly.

He responded with a "come in," and Ji Yaoge stepped into the stone chamber. The distance shortened, the deity became reachable, and his features became lively.

"I've discovered some clues and came to discuss them with you."

Yuan Huan showed some interest. "Oh? You just returned, and you're already so quick."

"Of course. I promised to investigate the Linghai matter for you. If I don't act quickly, I fear you'll leave me behind." Ji Yaoge spoke with deliberate flattery.

He rarely laughed, but her flattery made him smile, though it was brief, enough for Ji Yaoge to see his relaxed expression.

"Go ahead, what did you find?"

"Ren Zhongping mentioned that the artifact to open Linghai was originally hidden in the Ghost Domain, likely stolen to Wanhua and guarded there. He also found a connection between Lady Ying Shuang's 'Immortal Demon Dance' and the Burning Passion Technique of the Chiying Clan. So I asked a few senior sisters about the sect's history." Ji Yaoge paused, seeing Yuan Huan listening attentively, and then detailed what she had learned.

Finally, she analyzed, "I initially suspected Lady Ying Shuang might be connected to the Chiying Clan, but she comes from Qingxuan Palace in the Western Ridge. She has maintained contact with her fellow disciples there over the years, so her background is traceable. She can't be from the Ghost Domain. Now it seems, Lady Ying Shuang's Dao companion might be from the Chiying Clan."

"According to you, the artifact might be in Lady Ying Shuang's possession?" Yuan Huan asked.

"It's possible. I plan to find time to investigate Ju'an Hall. What do you think?"

"With your cultivation, you plan to sneak into Lady Ying Shuang's cave?" Yuan Huan raised an eyebrow.

"Don't worry, I'll do it without alerting anyone and ruining your plans." Ji Yaoge bit her lip, her eyes showing a hint of unspoken pride.

Yuan Huan stepped down from the lotus platform and walked to her, lowering his voice. "It seems you have other secrets?" He didn't intend to delve deeper. "Very well, I'll leave this matter to you. I need to leave for two days."

"Where are you going?" Ji Yaoge asked directly, realizing it was inappropriate after she spoke.

Fortunately, Yuan Huan didn't mind. He pondered, "To find the entrance to Linghai. The artifact alone is useless without the entrance, and the map of the entrance is with Xiao Wuheng."

"You're going to find Xiao Wuheng?" Ji Yaoge exclaimed.

"Even if I find him, he won't give it to me. But Xiao Wuheng should be on his way, or perhaps already in Tiyu State." Yuan Huan waved his hand, and a map appeared before him. No, it was more like a miniature mountain range, spread out in the air. The terrain, vegetation, mountain gates, and palaces were all vividly depicted, a scaled-down version of Tiyu State, which he could observe from any angle with a wave of his hand.

Seeing Ji Yaoge's astonished expression, Yuan Huan smiled proudly. "I don't need a map. The terrain of Tiyu State is in my grasp. From the mountain ranges, vegetation growth, spiritual energy changes, and celestial phenomena... Never mind, why explain so much to you?"

"No, no, Immortal Yuan, please explain. I want to know." Ji Yaoge quickly said. She finally understood why so many powerful beings in Wanhua regarded Yuan Huan differently. Such skills weren't achieved through simple cultivation alone.

"Even if I explain in depth, you wouldn't understand! Simply put, Linghai is born from the essence of heaven and earth, and a large forbidden formation requires the spiritual energy of heaven and earth to be set up. If Linghai is indeed hidden beneath Tiyu State and bound by a forbidden formation, the terrain of Tiyu State would be affected. This effect would manifest in the ways I mentioned earlier." Yuan Huan's eyes sparkled as he stared at the intricate map, his brows relaxed.

Ji Yaoge thought, this man truly loved what he practiced. Whenever he talked about these things, he seemed like a different person.

Like the cold moon, suddenly transforming into the radiant morning sun—the youngest sun.

"I've already calculated that there is indeed a massive spiritual field buried beneath Tiyu State, bound by a forbidden formation. This formation is extremely complex. I've spent three hundred years here, locking down several entrances to the formation, but I'm still not certain. However, this formation activates once every thousand years, and it should be in three months. The spiritual energy has already started to leak, making it the best time to confirm the entrance."

He paused, looking at Ji Yaoge's rare expression of dumbfounded amazement, feeling particularly pleased.

He kindly reminded her, "As the entrance opening approaches, Tiyu State will become very lively. Xiao Wuheng is coming, the three sects are coming, and there may be unexpected people, all with cultivation levels comparable to mine, or even higher. If Chixiu Palace is indeed involved, it won't be peaceful. Be careful not to lose your life and gain nothing."

"Fortune favors the bold. Cultivation defies the heavens, and I've already seen through life and death. I don't care." Ji Yaoge raised her chin, showing the courage of a newborn calf unafraid of tigers, meeting his gaze.

Yuan Huan only commented, "Your courage is commendable."

Ji Yaoge then remembered another matter. "By the way, what did Ren Zhongping mean by 'soul cleansing and body replacement'? What exactly is hidden in Linghai?"

Linghai was a broad concept, and no one knew what was inside.

"Back then, countless ancient powerful beings perished in the fight for Linghai, and countless treasures were buried with it. Whether it's celestial artifacts, elixirs, or heavenly materials, it's a treasure trove every cultivator dreams of. That's one reason. The second reason is the extremely pure spiritual energy contained in Linghai. A single drop can equal a hundred years of cultivation for a cultivator. Cultivating there is a huge temptation for any cultivator. As for soul cleansing and body replacement..."

His expression suddenly became serious. "Soul cleansing and body replacement are for the cultivators of the Ghost Domain. The Ghost Domain is different from Wanhua. The spiritual energy there contains the Nine Nether Yin, which affects the bodies of those who cultivate and live there, making them unable to adapt to Wanhua's environment.

Except for a few highly cultivated individuals, ordinary cultivators would go mad and die if they left the Ghost Domain for too long. That's why the Ghost Domain has always lost more than won in battles with Wanhua.

They only plunder resources and have never occupied any land in Wanhua. It's not that they don't dare, but they can't."

"So... Linghai can solve this problem?" Ji Yaoge's brows furrowed as she listened.

"Yes, the pure spiritual energy in Linghai can cleanse the body and purify the Yin, freeing them from its influence." Yuan Huan nodded.

Ji Yaoge continued, "So, Xiao Wuheng is determined to obtain Linghai because if he gets it, he will gain the support of all the cultivators in the Ghost Domain. He will then be able to rule the Ghost Domain unchallenged. And if the cultivators of the Ghost Domain can undergo soul cleansing and body replacement, Wanhua will become their ultimate target—Xiao Wuheng's ambition is great..."

The Ghost Domain was filled with ruthless cultivators, known for their brutal methods. If they invaded Wanhua in large numbers, it would be the most terrifying disaster in Wanhua's history—widespread devastation and suffering.

She had seen far enough, and Yuan Huan didn't need to say more.

"Immortal Yuan, forgive my boldness, but may I ask, why are you fighting for Linghai?" Ji Yaoge suddenly wanted to know.

Was it for the public good or personal gain?

Yuan Huan gave her an unexpected answer. "For interest." He was simply interested in the restrictions and Linghai here and wanted to study them.

It wasn't a noble reason, but it was honest enough.

Ji Yaoge laughed; this was his style.

"It's getting late. Why are you still here? Aren't you worried about being late?" He sat back on the lotus seat, asking casually.

Late? Ji Yaoge was puzzled.

"The invitation from Wanren Mountain," he added.

Ji Yaoge realized—he was referring to Gu Xingzhi's private invitation.

"How did you know?"

Yuan Huan didn't answer, his insightful gaze saying, "Do you think you can hide your little tricks from me?"

Ji Yaoge smiled awkwardly, looking at the skylight. The twilight had long turned to frost moon. After a long conversation, she had been here for a while and indeed needed to go.

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