Vol. 1 - Ch. 31 - Transformation

Chapter 31: Transformation

Yuan Huan's hand stopped just a hair away from her throat, not actually touching her slender neck. Ji Yaoge did not flinch; she even tilted her chin slightly, exposing her neck even more, like a prey willingly walking into a trap.

The proximity of their skin, even without contact, allowed them to feel each other’s warmth. It was a sensitive kind of itch.

Ji Yaoge's neck itched slightly, like a hair brushing against it. This old man, whom she thought was declining, was far stronger than she had expected. He had hidden his strength well, but the control he showed in that strike wasn't something a Foundation Establishment cultivator could achieve. Had he not altered his move, she wouldn't have been able to withstand even a single blow.

For several breaths, they stared at each other, and Ji Yaoge kept smiling. It was a submissive smile, a juvenile’s way of appeasing a senior. However, Yuan Huan disliked it, not just its falseness, but its certainty.

Certain that he wouldn’t actually harm her.

If he wanted to kill her, he wouldn’t have diverted his attack.

Ji Yaoge believed this, so she had no fear. "Elder Yuan, I wasn't playing. I just wanted to see if this disguise could fool anyone..."

Yuan Huan’s right eye darkened—he had been used as a test subject after doing experiments his whole life?

"Of course, with Elder Yuan's cultivation, this minor trick couldn't escape your notice," Ji Yaoge flattered him, "I just felt a bit of Xiao Wuheng's presence from Ren Zhongping. I don't know if I learned it correctly, so I needed someone’s assessment. What do you think, Elder Yuan?"

Her cultivation was not advanced, and she couldn’t fully understand Ren Zhongping's memories, only the outlines, combined with Gao Badou's words, led to her current disguise. She was unsure if it truly resembled Xiao Wuheng and couldn't test it on Ren Zhongping. She hoped Yuan Huan might take her to meet his master to get her answers.

"Dog." Yuan Huan disliked the respect and humility in her eyes as he withdrew his hand and walked past her.

No claws, no fangs, no might—just a little dog barking.

He didn’t even care to guide her.

"Then please, Elder Yuan, tell me how to paint this big tiger properly?" She had understood his meaning, mocking her for being dog-like in her imitation.

"The coldness in Xiao Wuheng stems from the ghostly energy and dark arts he practices, his lethality from years spent on the edge of death, and his commanding presence from ruling half the ghost realm. But you..." Yuan Huan smirked, the wrinkles at his eyes unmoving, "Your coldness is like that of subterranean creatures, your so-called ferocity is mere survival, not true killer instinct. As for presence, do you think a monkey king leading his tribe compares to someone commanding half the ghost realm?"

Comparing Xiao Wuheng to subterranean creatures or savage predators was laughable. If Xiao Wuheng knew, he might throw Ji Yaoge into the ghost realm’s blood pool and not be satisfied.

Calling her a dog was kind, sparing her dignity.

The pointed criticism made Ji Yaoge blush—the auras she had studied came from absorbing beast spirit bones over the years.

Luckily, she was humble enough to be thick-skinned.

"Elder Yuan, have you met Xiao Wuheng?" Ji Yaoge asked, following his pace.

"I have," Yuan Huan said more than usual, quickening his steps, regretting his verbosity.

"Oh..." Ji Yaoge quickened her pace, "Then do you know how to mimic those auras?"

"Have you ever hated someone? Killed someone? Felt utter despair when your beliefs were shattered? Ever wanted to take revenge on the world in your darkest moments? Ever looked down on everything from the clouds, controlling all? That’s Xiao Wuheng," he retorted.

If mere imagination could replicate Xiao Wuheng, why would he need her at all?

His tone carried a teacher’s patience. Ji Yaoge pondered his words, slowing down. They had fallen far behind, but she had no intention to catch up.

Despair from shattered faith, a desire to avenge the world in extreme pain?

She had experienced it, but had forgotten or suppressed it...

——

"Bai Yun, take this dagger and kill him...

Kill him and devour his inner core to gain his talent.

Good child, don’t be afraid. He’s a demon. Killing him will rid the world of evil.

In a dark tower, chains clattered on the ground as a voice whispered.

But he’s my father.

Your father chose to become a demon. There’s no cure. He must die, hurry...

Clang—

The blood-stained dagger fell, waking the sleeping person.

Ji Yaoge’s eyes snapped open.

She rarely remembered the events from over five centuries ago.

In her teens, there had been a man who conjured stars, moons, summer flowers, and winter snow with his hands, using the simplest tricks to make her happy.

What happened after that?

She couldn’t recall his face or voice.

——

After her conversation with Yuan Huan, Ji Yaoge locked herself in the stone chamber Xiao Bai had arranged for her, not coming out for three days. Bai Yan worried but avoided disturbing her during such periods of contemplation, having developed mutual understanding over the years. Her seclusion likely indicated difficulties with her plans, causing unease.

During this time, Bai Yan ceased teasing Xiao Bai, and the once lively cave turned quiet again. Xiao Bai continued her chores—tending the herb garden, grinding medicines, feeding the beasts—but occasionally glanced toward the cave entrance.

As Yuan Huan emerged from the cave, he saw two distracted individuals.

Ji Yaoge’s presence was strong, even with fewer words.

“Didn’t she say she’s here to take care of Ren Zhongping? Leaving him to go mad in the cave?” Yuan Huan was looking for Ji Yaoge.

With Ji Yaoge secluded, no one took Ren Zhongping out, and his madness resurfaced. He was currently smashing walls in his stone chamber.

“Senior Brother Ren recognizes me somewhat. I’ll go calm him down,” Bai Yan volunteered, running into the cave.

Xiao Bai waited until Bai Yan left before approaching Yuan Huan, her tone irritated, “What did you say to her that made her lock herself up? Bai Yan and I saw you talking to her the other day.”

Yuan Huan felt he had been too lenient with this spirit, now daring to question him.

“Ask her yourself.”

Xiao Bai mumbled “I won’t,” but quickly added, “Could you help her?”

Yuan Huan narrowed his eyes, and she explained, “If you help her, she can solve your problem faster and leave sooner, sparing my constant worry.”

“Leave?” Yuan Huan chuckled, “You haven’t understood yourself.” Ji Yaoge’s probing wasn’t just to uncover secrets; she likely intended to stay and investigate further, trying to latch onto ‘his master.’

Xiao Bai wanted to retort, but a polite “Elder Yuan” interrupted, revealing Ji Yaoge.

Though slightly worn, her eyes were spirited and bright, her smile sincere, showing eight white teeth. She walked up, saluting, “Your words were enlightening, Elder Yuan, for which I’m deeply grateful. However, I lack experience and cannot reach the state you described. After pondering, I came up with a few ideas and seek your guidance.”

“Speak.” Yuan Huan replied, walking ahead.

“We aim to mimic Xiao Wuheng’s aura, not become him. The art of enchantment relies on deception, blending reality and illusion, achievable through experience or perception. With your extensive knowledge, Elder Yuan, are there any creatures in Tiyu State whose aura resembles Xiao Wuheng’s, so I may perceive it directly?”

Finding such a creature would allow her to kill and use its spirit bones to forge the aura.

Yuan Huan paused, her words striking a chord. “Xiao Wuheng practices the Great Extinction Art from the ghost realm, requiring training in the coldest, darkest places. Using the blood of a Qinghe Nialdragon simmered with ice flames might be close, combined with the Eight Directions Ghost Summoning Talisman…” He muttered, then felt her eyes glued to him and stopped.

Ji Yaoge’s curious eyes locked onto him.

“Why don’t you continue, Elder Yuan?” Her eyes gleamed with mischief.

“….” Yuan Huan realized he'd fallen into her trap.

He was about to speak when a faint tremor from below caught his attention. His brow furrowed. Ji Yaoge noticed his change, asking, “Elder Yuan, what’s happening?”

Yuan Huan suddenly clutched his left eye under the eyepatch, his previously calm expression turning grim.

“Transformation period... Why is it early?” he muttered.

Ji Yaoge couldn’t understand but sensed something was wrong. The ground's tremors intensified, and within a few breaths, even pebbles bounced as if a thousand horses approached. Both Bai Yan and Xiao Bai rushed out from inside.

“What’s that?” Bai Yan pointed to the horizon.

A dark mass, like clouds of birds, rushed towards them from afar. Strange beast howls echoed across Shigong Ridge, converging on the hanging stone cave like a sudden tide.

Yuan Huan only glanced before racing back into the cave. Gold light leaked from under his eyepatch. His white hair started tinting green from the top, while wrinkled skin seemed to shed and rejuvenate.

His quick departure left the others unaware.

The cave's three-locked door shut as he entered, layer by layer. Ji Yaoge and Bai Yan barely registered the scene before Yuan Huan vanished.

“Something’s wrong.” Xiao Bai looked worried.

“What’s happening?” Ji Yaoge asked.

Xiao Bai, disregarding her fear for once, explained, “He’s injured. Every hundred years it attacks, drawing all nearby beasts to devour him. It’s early—we’re not ready.”

Ji Yaoge frowned at this strange injury.

Xiao Bai knew little more, having heard the wound came from battling Xiao Wuheng, who cursed him with a myriad beast venom. When active, the venom released a scent attracting beasts within a hundred miles. She didn’t know how Yuan Huan suppressed or removed it, only that it flared every century. This year was only the 198th.

“No countermeasures?” Ji Yaoge saw the surrounding beasts, their presence forcing her heartbeat to quicken.

Under her steady gaze, Xiao Bai calmed, considering briefly before grabbing Ji Yaoge’s wrist, pulling her towards the entrance, “Your cultivation is highest. Go help protect him while Brother Bai and I guard outside.”

“You have no cultivation. Staying outside is dangerous.” Bai Yan joined them at the cave entrance, recognizing the beasts, “I should stay outside while you two go in.”

Xiao Bai shook her head, reassuring with a determined look, “Don’t worry, they won’t attack me.” Saying so, she looked at Ji Yaoge.

Ji Yaoge didn’t probe further, surprised.

The first cave gate opened under Xiao Bai’s command, “Their target is Brother Yuan. You must protect him. If he survives, we’ll be safe; otherwise, none of us will make it.” She decisively shut the gate behind Ji Yaoge.

“Come on, Brother Bai.” Xiao Bai drew a small command flag from her pocket.

The flag unfurled with a boom, dust flying, turning the mountain’s rocks into countless stone figures.

Xiao Bai stood by the flag, her innocence gone.

“Brother Bai, protect me! I am the formation’s core.”

For a moment, Bai Yan mistook her for… Ji Yaoge.

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