Chapter 114: Stirred Emotions
Chapter 114: Stirred Emotions
“Your comprehension ability is truly astonishing. Yet your overly strong Constitution will make advancement difficult, though your ultimate achievement shall be boundless.”
Cheng Lingyu laughed, “Enough flattery. I still need answers – explain this part first.”
Having gained benefits, Cheng Lingyu began relentlessly questioning Duan Hong while reciprocating by teaching him both the Soul Cutting Technique and Di Xuan Yin.
He initially intended to share Thunder Palm and Thousand Strikes too, but Duan Hong declined.
“My path diverges from yours. I seek glory in engraved formations while you walk broader roads. Di Xuan Yin combined with formations creates supergravity fields – profoundly mysterious. The Soul Cutting Technique aids my merging with the white tiger. Thunder Palm and Thousand Strikes, though powerful, don’t serve my purpose.”
Cheng Lingyu didn’t insist, returning instead to his intense studies.
Lan Xiaozhu had monitored the three-headed spirit snake’s three-day Battle. After breaking free, the weakened creature fled with cultivators in pursuit.
“The snake’s at its weakest now – prime time for subduing it,” she noted.
Upon hearing this news, both youths halted cultivation.
“My wounds healed,” Duan Hong declared. “The white tiger I merged with shares ancient enmity with that snake. I must witness its fate.”
Cheng Lingyu grinned after consideration. “Go ahead. I’ll join after handling matters here.”
After Duan Hong vanished, Lan Xiaozhu asked, “What urgent matter?”
“Three days of fighting means dead experts.” Cheng Lingyu’s eyes glinted. “Let’s collect spoils.”
“You schemer!” Lan Xiaozhu chuckled as they raced to the transformed canyon – now littered with corpses.
“Three hundred seventy bodies here,” Cheng Lingyu counted, “plus disintegrated remains – four hundred dead at least.”
They scavenged unimpeded, gathering four hundred storage rings within incense-burning time.
Later, Lan Xiaozhu asked, “Should we pursue the snake?”
Cheng Lingyu shook his head. “That Immortal Soul’s evil nature brings backlash. Merging it breeds corruption – not my path.”
“Wise choice.” Lan Xiaozhu nodded. “With these resources, shall we cultivate?”
“Not yet.” His gaze turned playful. “Has your (Kuisui) passed?”
Blushing, she nodded. After day-long searching, they found a stream eight hundred li away. Cheng Lingyu spent days crafting a hidden formation.
Watching him work, Lan Xiaozhu’s expression shifted between tenderness and conflict, her heartbeat quickening.
Once everything was ready, Cheng Lingyu held Lan Xiaozhu’s jade hand and gazed intently into her beautiful eyes.
“Later we’ll wash off the dust. I need to talk with you.”
Lan Xiaozhu nodded softly, her eyes brimming with bashfulness.
Cheng Lingyu felt awkward too – this was genuinely his first experience.
The stream’s chill bit into their skin.
Being a cultivation practitioner, Cheng Lingyu’s hardy physique barely registered the cold.
Lan Xiaozhu’s restored appearance revealed delicate features and a petite frame that begged protection.
After washing first, Cheng Lingyu kept watch nearby, his Magic Eyes tracing Lan Xiaozhu’s watery silhouette with conflicted fascination.
Their relationship had been orchestrated by others – no instant passion, nor profound mutual understanding.
Cheng Lingyu remained devoted to Ruo Xue’s memory, her presence eternally etched in his heart.
Yet Senior Sister Caiyun’s words echoed: “Live vibrantly for Ruo Xue’s sake, don’t drown in remembrance.”
The Guishun Valley journey had deepened their bond. Though maintaining propriety, Lan Xiaozhu’s repeated willingness to sacrifice herself for his survival had moved him.
Empty promises perhaps, but her fearless resolve kindled something within him.
Love blooms in myriad forms – theirs grew through shared trials.
Their courtship felt unconventional, yet Lan Xiaozhu’s status among Yunyang’s top ten beauties, coupled with her tenderness toward him, fostered gradual merging of hearts.
These thoughts eased Cheng Lingyu’s tension.
Current circumstances left no doubt about impending developments.
In twilight’s glow, water cascaded over Lan Xiaozhu’s jade-like skin, youthful radiance shimmering through the stream.
A casual glance backward sent her soft smile arcing toward Cheng Lingyu, eyes smoldering with unspoken warmth.
Cheng Lingyu’s breath hitched. His Magic Eyes pierced the water’s veil, mapping every alluring contour despite her submerged position.
First exposure to feminine form left him flustered, primal urges warring with propriety.
Youthful impulse burned – to study, to memorize every curve.
Blushing under his heated stare, Lan Xiaozhu rose from the stream, unveiling her sacred youthful form.
This moment showcased her crowning glory – flawless beauty offered freely during life’s prime.
Cheng Lingyu’s breathing quickened. An uncanny aura enveloped him, like ancient magic stirring from slumber.
Two years his senior yet enchantingly petite, Lan Xiaozhu’s porcelain skin and delicate curves held him captive.
Light flickered. Suddenly waist-deep in water, Cheng Lingyu swept her into the formation’s concealment.
Arms encircling his neck, she whispered shyly: “Do I please you?”
“More than words,” he rasped. “But clothe yourself first. Matters require clarity.”
Donning her outer robe with downcast eyes, Lan Xiaozhu awaited his words with liquid tenderness.
Looking at Lan Xiaozhu hugging herself, the hazy temptation made Cheng Lingyu’s heart race harder.
“This moment may have come too suddenly. Neither of us was truly prepared, but our time was limited. We couldn’t delay any longer.”
Wearing confusion, Lan Xiaozhu whispered, “Why?”
“For the Cold Crystal Illusion Flower. To make this journey worthwhile.”
Cheng Lingyu’s words shocked her. “You haven’t abandoned the plan?” she asked hesitantly.
“Never,” Cheng Lingyu answered. “We still have an opportunity.”
“What opportunity? You found a way to fulfill the merging conditions for Immortal Soul?”
Cheng Lingyu chuckled. “I’ve pondered long. Only one chance exists, so we must act. First, the Cold Crystal Illusion Flower requires maiden’s sunflower blood – you’ve prepared this already.”
Blushing crimson, Lan Xiaozhu nodded. “But that alone isn’t sufficient.”
“Second, we’ll cure your chronic illness and rapidly boost your cultivation level. Third, we’ll use your sunflower blood to manifest the flower. Then you’ll channel your third stage Soul Martial strength while I support you.”
Lan Xiaozhu gaped. She’d considered countless approaches before, never imagining Cheng Lingyu had devised this solution. Though imperfect, it offered their only shot at success.
“You never cease to amaze.” Delight outweighed her surprise.
Cheng Lingyu scratched his neck awkwardly. “Desperate measures. Further delay would ruin everything.”
“I’ve… waited for this day,” Lan Xiaozhu murmured, eyes downcast. “Though confused and conflicted… I want you to know I consent freely.”
Cheng Lingyu exhaled sharply. “That eases my mind.” Her willing participation removed his lingering doubts, ensuring their union would face no resistance.
Spring’s fire ignited within the glowing formation.
Two novices tentatively explored each other, discovering pleasures unknown. When breathless cries pierced the air, Cheng Lingyu crossed life’s pivotal threshold – understanding at last what separates men from boys.
Passion’s flames burned for three days and nights. Through yin-yang dual cultivation and consumed cultivation resources, both achieved breakthroughs. Lan Xiaozhu ascended to Soul Martial’s third stage, while the Backlash Power plaguing her flowed entirely into Cheng Lingyu during their union, shattering the heavenly curse completely.