The Possession Chronicles, Volumes 1-73

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This post was last edited by www0698 on 2014-12-8 21:07.
Synopsis:

Before the age of sixteen, I had no idea what "female beauty" meant, let alone how pleasurable a woman's body could feel. Until one day, my third eye opened, and I stumbled into the bathhouse, seeing my third sister-in-law's naked body… Having tasted the forbidden fruit for the first time, Li Dan worried about whether his affair with his sister-in-law would be exposed. The news of his master's sudden death from outside the mountain threw him into a panic. Overnight, he went from being the beloved junior brother to a lone orphan of the Shenlong Sect, facing the powerful Quanzhen Sect's pursuit. Could Li Dan rescue his senior sister and restore the sect's prestige? And what incredible circumstances would his master's "Soul Separation and Possession Technique" bring him?

Part One: The Qingyang Taoist - Chapter One: The First Opening of the Third Eye?

The blood within you will one day summon you; this is an unchangeable destiny.

Before the age of sixteen, I had no idea what "female beauty" meant. I had no idea that a woman's body could feel so pleasurable to touch.

Until one day, my third eye opened, and I couldn't resist trying it out. I channeled my inner energy, allowing my gaze to bypass several doors and enter the bathhouse, where I saw my third sister-in-law's naked body.

She had just removed all her clothes and was about to step into the tub when, perhaps sensing my gaze, her hair stood on end and goosebumps rose on her skin. She suddenly stopped, instinctively looking towards the doorway. With a flick of her slender hand, a stream of energy returned my gaze and struck my eye sockets. My eyes burned with pain, and tears streamed down my face. I heard my third sister-in-law's voice drift over: "Who is it?!"

I dared not utter a sound, quickly covering my eyes to hide the heat emanating from them, while simultaneously using my earth-遁术 (earth-遁术, a technique to escape from the ground) to flee.

For a long time, my eyes were too painful to open. I thought, "Wow, that's amazing!" Luckily, my third sister-in-law hadn't attacked with her full power, or I certainly wouldn't have been able to keep my eyes.

I hid in a cave I had discovered a few days earlier, trying to slowly open my eyes. Wow! My vision was blurry, and the skin around my eyes felt thick and swollen. It must be badly swollen. Oh no, how am I going to get home tonight looking like this?

Sigh, my third sister-in-law is always the kindest to me, which is why I dared to peek at her. I never expected to end up like this by accident. I can only swallow my bitterness. How could I possibly complain to my third sister-in-law?

But afterwards, she'd probably guess that only my eldest brother, second brother, fourth sister-in-law, third sister-in-law, and I were left in the mountains. Master and third brother had gone out on business. Of those left, my eldest and second brothers were too powerful to do such a thing, and my fourth sister-in-law was a woman. So, the only one left was me.

The only consolation I could offer was that they didn't know my third eye had opened. Without that ability, how could I do anything bad?

But my eyes—sigh, I can only try to heal them with my internal energy. But before dinner, it's almost impossible to return to normal unless my third sister-in-law can help me.

My third sister-in-law—hey, her body is like this! She usually wore simple clothes and light makeup, looking delicate and frail. I never imagined that without her clothes, her breasts would be so high and firm, her waist so slender, but her hips so plump beyond my expectations. Her flesh was so white and so full; you couldn't tell at all with clothes on.

Lost in thought as I circulated my inner energy, I suddenly faintly heard my third sister-in-law's voice: "Junior Brother! --- Junior Brother!" Good heavens, things were more serious than I imagined; she had actually chased after me!

What should I do? Even if my third sister-in-law couldn't find me, if Master found out, it would be disastrous. Even if she didn't tell Master, if my third senior brother found out, his palm strike could kill me with a single blow. It's over, completely over. I huddled in the cave, my body ice-cold, ignoring my injuries.

It was just a glimpse of her body, was it really that serious? A surge of resentment rose within me towards my third sister-in-law. Damn it! All that kindness she showed me before was a lie! Feeling wronged and furious, I sat in the cave, almost bursting out to shout, "I'm right here! Do whatever you want!"

My master had taken five disciples in total, and I was the last. I didn't know if he would take any more, but so far, my senior brothers and sisters always called me "Junior Brother," as if they were certain he wouldn't.

My senior brothers and sisters were all very kind to me, perhaps because I was pretty and lively? My third sister-in-law was the kindest to me. She had been married to my third brother for less than five years and had been practicing in the Penglai Esoteric Sect. She always secretly saved the best food and toys for me, and liked to pat my head. I had a protruding bone on the back of my head, which my senior brothers often teased me about as a "rebellious bone." My third sister-in-law would say, "No! It's a clever little bump."

She would often touch my "clever little bump" and tell me interesting stories about their Penglai Esoteric Sect. Fourth Senior Sister saw this and said, "Third Senior Sister-in-law, you treat Junior Brother even better than Third Senior Brother!"

Third Senior Sister-in-law smiled and said, "Of course! He looks like my own brother, so he's my little brother."

Actually, almost all of us who practice martial arts are orphans, without siblings. For those of us with such talent, having even one child is a rare feat, as all our essence and spiritual energy will be exhausted, making it impossible to have a second child.

Sigh—does Third Senior Sister-in-law really disregard our usual sibling bond and insist on pursuing this to the end? My heart ached, and I wished I could run out and let her find me, letting her do whatever she wanted with me.

Third Senior Sister-in-law's voice grew closer. Suddenly, her figure appeared at the cave entrance, dressed in white robes with wide sleeves, backlit, making it impossible to see her expression.

I had already gone all out, not bothering to conceal the heat emanating from my body, which is why she was able to find me so quickly.

There was no need for explanation; my swollen, tearful eyes said it all. I forced back my tears, staring blankly at her, letting her do as she pleased.

Third Sister-in-law stood frozen at the cave entrance, clutching her chest. "You scared me to death! Are your eyes alright?" she said gently, her voice like a soft touch on my heart. My nose stung, and tears streamed down my face.

Third Sister-in-law exclaimed in surprise, "Heavens! I didn't know it was you! I hit you too hard! What's wrong? What's wrong?" She stepped forward, carefully wiping my eyes with her hand while gently blowing on them.

Her breath was warm and fragrant, so gentle it felt like a spring breeze on my face, making me feel languid and listless, wanting to just lie down and drift off to sleep.

I closed my eyes, tilting my head back slightly, immersed in a dreamlike, light state, unaware of my surroundings. I only felt the breath on my face growing warmer and warmer. Third Sister-in-law's face was so close to mine, so close it made me dizzy, as if another body and soul had floated away.

I gradually found it hard to breathe, and involuntarily opened my mouth to say, "Third Sister-in-law—" Before I could finish, my lips touched her soft, fleshy lips. As if losing consciousness, I couldn't control my hands and pulled her close. A warm, soft body was drawn into my arms, like holding an elusive mystery, afraid it would suddenly slip away. I held her tightly. The body in my arms was very hot, and her flesh was wriggling and struggling.

Third Sister-in-law gasped, "No—you can't do this!" She braced her hands on my chest and pushed me back a few steps.

Third Sister-in-law asked, "Are you—alright?!" My face flushed red, and I couldn't speak.

Third Sister-in-law's face was also flushed. She smoothed a strand of hair behind her ear, glanced at me with her dark eyes, and said somewhat flusteredly, "Come here—let me help you heal."

Third Sister-in-law used the Qi of the Tantric sect. Tantric Qi is the most malevolent; if it injures someone, it's difficult for anyone other than a member of their sect to heal. Today, I finally experienced it firsthand. I walked towards Third Sister-in-law, my eyes swollen, squinting into thin slits, making my careful steps quite comical.

Third Sister-in-law chuckled, "Serves you right!"

I pleaded, "Sister-in-law, I really didn't mean to! I—I just wanted to test how my eyes could bend!"

Third Sister-in-law's face suddenly flushed red, and she scolded, "Pah! You've only just opened your eyes—and you're already up to no good!"

She placed her hands on my brow bones, applying pressure with her fingertips. Two streams of Qi flowed from her soft fingertips, making the area around my eyes feel warm and pleasant. As

we drew closer, a faint fragrance wafted from her body, and my heart skipped a beat. I heard her soft voice: "Don't overthink it!" A gentle breeze emanated from my brow bone, like warm water poured over it, leaving a ticklish, melting sensation on my skin.

After a while, my third sister-in-law sighed and said, "All done." Her fingers left my brow bone, and the skin around my eyes no longer felt so tight and swollen. The breeze subsided, and my eyes gradually felt cool.

But a wave of drowsiness made it hard to open my eyes. I heard my third sister-in-law's voice: "Come on, close your eyes, you'll feel better after a rest." I felt her pull my hand and sit me on the ground. I said, "So sleepy!" In a daze, I leaned against her shoulder. After a while, she laid me flat on the ground, resting my head on her lap. One hand habitually stroked the back of my head, and I gradually drifted off to sleep.

I don't know how much time passed before I woke up. I heard my third sister-in-law humming a little tune, and my head felt a slight tickle as she played with my hair. My head rested softly on her plump thighs, and the feeling was so enjoyable that I didn't want to open my eyes. I just wanted to lie there forever.

Suddenly, my third sister-in-law stopped humming and pinched the tip of my nose with her finger. I cried out, "Oh!" My third sister-in-law chuckled, "Still pretending to be asleep?!"

I pleaded, "It's so comfortable, sister-in-law, please let me lie here a little longer."

My third sister-in-law snorted and tapped my eye with her finger. The swelling had gone down, and it looked normal. She said, "Would you dare do that again? Humph, luckily it was me. If it were your fourth sister-in-law, you would be blind!"

I giggled, "I know you love me the most, sister-in-law, so I—" My third sister-in-law slapped me on the face, "Still talking nonsense!" It wasn't a hard slap, but it felt good.

I didn't say anything, keeping my eyes closed and a smile on my lips. She chuckled softly, "Heh, little rascal, you even have a third eye, not bad."

I turned my head, tilting it to the side, my face pressed against her leg. The alluring flesh of her thigh emanated from my face, and I intoxicatedly pressed my head further towards her abdomen. She grabbed my head and whispered, "What are you doing?!" Her face held a half-smile.

I murmured through my nose, "Mmm—your legs feel so comfortable, I want to sleep for a while." My tone was slightly coquettish as I took the opportunity to bury my face between her legs. There was a faint, indescribable, dizzying scent between them.

She shifted her lower body slightly but didn't say anything. I was overjoyed. My face was against her thigh, and I deliberately parted my lips slightly, my lips, through her thin pants, as if kissing her thigh. Her leg trembled slightly, and the hand that had been resting on the back of my neck involuntarily slid down to my back, the gentle touch feeling incredibly comfortable.

I shifted my head slightly, my breath spraying between her legs. My third sister-in-law groaned softly and pulled my head up, saying, "No—you should get up."

I struggled, "No!" and fell back onto her lap, this time even more frantic, rubbing my face and nose against her body.

My third sister-in-law's hands were on my ears, grabbing and pinching, as she gasped, "Junior brother—okay—stop it—get up."

I suddenly sat up. Her mouth was half-open, her face flushed as if drunk, her eyes looking at me with a hazy, indistinct look.

I decisively pressed my lips to her trembling lips. She made a half-groan, unable to react in time, and my lips were sealed. I desperately sucked on her lips, her breath carrying a familiar scent that drove me even crazier.

A voice screamed in my head, "That's right! She's my third sister-in-law! My third sister-in-law, like a real sister!" My

third sister-in-law and I fell to the ground together. I struggled and tore at her, thrashing about. A moment later, my heart pounded as I saw a large patch of snow-white skin exposed on my third sister-in-law's chest; half of her breasts, like a cloud, bulged out from under her clothes, as if her nipples would burst out at the slightest touch. Her clothes were disheveled, almost coming undone without anyone untying them, her trousers bulging, revealing a glimpse of her white abs.

My third sister-in-law lay on the ground, panting, her usual gentle and kind demeanor now so alluring. I pounced on her, kissing her face wildly and aimlessly—her nose, mouth, eyes, cheeks, chin, ears—picking up a strand of hair and spitting it out. Third Sister-in-law shook her head, dodging left and right, saying, "No—no—don't!"

I pressed my lips against her soft lips, and she made several "mmm" sounds, her teeth slightly parted. It was like a little fish slipping into my mouth, slippery and sliding straight in. The moment my tongue touched her, a tingling, electric current rose from my spine, reached my brain, and surged down to my lower abdomen, causing my lower body to suddenly swell and harden, pressing against Third Sister-in-law's lower abdomen, an indescribable feeling of pleasure and bliss.

I was dizzy, my hands frantically trying to pull off Third Sister-in-law's pants, panting heavily. I had no clear purpose, I just wanted to take off her pants, the faster the better, the more naked the better! Suddenly, Third Sister-in-law's pants fell down, revealing a thick patch of dark hair below her abdomen. I was stunned, stopped what I was doing, and stared intently. Third Sister-in-law twisted her waist, and her pants slipped down a little more, revealing a red and white fleshy cleft, like another incredible mouth, staring back at me from below.

My third sister-in-law straightened up, her trembling hands clutching at my belt. I suddenly snapped out of it, quickly pulling down my pants. A previously unseen member of my genitals stood erect in a furious rage. In a hazy state, a consciousness stirred within me. I knelt down and began thrusting wildly towards my third sister-in-law's crotch. I used too much force, and my member bent, causing me to recoil in pain. Sweating profusely, I cried out in a tearful voice, "Sister-in-law, help me! Please help me!"

My third sister-in-law's small hand grasped it, guiding it between her legs. My member touched a moist, soft spot and sank in, feeling as if my entire body was melting, like slipping on a rainy day. I quickly pulled out, but my third sister-in-law's hand pulled it back down at her waist. The pleasure was so intense it made me want to scream. I cried out, "Ah!" At the same time, I heard my third sister-in-law groan, her back arching.

I began thrusting and pumping wildly, feeling as pleasurable as a toddler running around in the air. It wasn't very tight down there; the sticky root rubbed against the fleshy walls, going in and out. Third Sister-in-law was screaming in agony, her back arching repeatedly, twisting and writhing wildly, her legs clenching tightly every now and then, crying out, "Ah—ah—no—ah!"

Suddenly, I realized something, stopped, and took a deep breath. Sure enough, the sticky root swelled up, filling her vaginal opening. Taking another breath, the shaft seemed to tear her vulva apart; the mound above her genitals visibly bulged. Third Sister-in-law cried out, "Ah—Junior Brother, no—no!—it hurts!" I thrust in again, the tip of my glans feeling like it was being bitten by a small mouth, reaching its limit.

This time, the thrusting wasn't as smooth as before. Entering, it pushed aside many folds of flesh; pulling out, it created a wave of flesh, each thrust hitting the spot firmly. The nectar couldn't flow out; it was trapped inside the hole by the stem, squeezing and pulling, like wading barefoot in mud, making a series of "squeak-squeak" sounds.

Third Sister-in-law's breasts were half-covered, her waist twisted, she bit her lip, and then spat it out, accompanied by muffled moans of "Hmm... Ah!" Her face turned this way and that, never still for a moment, her hair disheveled and covering her red face.

I was overcome with passion and began to thrust, again and again, the heavy impacts of my lower abdominal muscles slapping against her thighs with a "smack, smack" sound. My third sister-in-law trembled violently with each thrust, unable to speak.

She cried out, "Ah! I—I can't take it anymore!" Her body arched high, her head limply dragging on the ground. My first ejaculation spurted out, my penis still taut. Then, with rapid thrusting, spurts of semen erupted again before I gradually softened, collapsing weakly onto her. I felt my soul soaring, my spirit floating on clouds, a current flowing through my body like soaking in warm water. I knew my power had increased by another ten percent. My

third sister-in-law's face was below me, her eyes half-open, half-closed, shyly turned to one side. I gently kissed her; the blush on her face deepened, but she no longer flinched. I was overjoyed; I hadn't expected that after just one night of lovemaking, my third sister-in-law would become so gentle and alluring.

I moved aside, lying beside her, my fingertips teasing her nipples. As my third sister-in-law spoke, her breasts trembled: "You bad boy!"

I pinched her nipple tighter, and she let out a soft "ooh," burying her face in my neck. I said, "You're so beautiful. How come I never noticed before?"

My third sister-in-law blushed and glanced at me: "You used to be so good."

I tightened my grip again: "So you're saying I'm not good now?"

My third sister-in-law let out a soft "oh": "That's right, you've become bad now!"

I laughed: "Then wouldn't my third brother have become bad long ago?" As soon as I said that, both of us suddenly fell silent. Heavens, if my third brother found out about this, he would unleash his palm lightning, and both my third sister-in-law and I would be reduced to ashes. My

third sister-in-law got up, straightened her clothes, and said, "It's getting late, I'll go back first. Your eyes are better now, you—" Suddenly her face turned slightly red, and she hesitated.

I nodded, understanding. "I'll be careful not to let my senior brothers and sisters know, but—what if I miss you?"

My third sister-in-law turned half her body away shyly and whispered, "No—I—I'm your sister-in-law."

I moved closer and whispered in her ear, "Good sister, I'll use my earth-遁术 (earth-遁术 is a type of magic used in martial arts) to go to your room."

She blushed and said, "That won't work—he—he can sense your presence when he comes back. I'll go see you instead." Her voice trailed off at the end, too shy to look up.

I was overjoyed and said, "Good sister—you're so kind!" She slowly floated away, her voice echoing, "I'm going." She vanished in a flash, using the land-based flying technique of our Divine Dragon Sect.

　 Part One: Qingyang Feathered Warriors, Part Two: Dual Cultivation Method. I circulated my energy for a while and stepped out of the cave. Outside, golden light shone brightly, and the clouds were splendid. I leaped to the top of a tree and saw the ancient trees of Qingyang Mountain, uneven and stretching endlessly. Looking out, it resembled a vast ocean, its waves undulating.

To the east, clouds billowed, shimmering on the water, merging with the

colorful sunset clouds to form the tranquil Mirror Lake. To the south, lower and more submerged, amidst the trees, smaller Mirror Lake appeared as irregular fragments, reflecting the light, with our Divine Dragon Sect's residence faintly visible, hidden among them. I gathered my energy and leaped, treading on leaves and brushing against branches, the wind whistling in my ears, soaring from high to low with unstoppable force, already passing several mountain peaks. My inner energy surged, showing no signs of waning. I was both surprised and delighted. I slowed my pace, moving freely and effortlessly, much more relaxed than before. Could it be that my lovemaking with my third sister-in-law had such a significant boost to my power?

My God! Does this mean I can soon begin practicing the teleportation technique I've always dreamed of? This is wonderful!

My heart swelled with joy, and I slowed my pace, leisurely ascending to the treetops. My body rose and fell with the flow, admiring the beautiful scenery of Qingyang Mountain along the way. It felt like a small boat drifting on gentle ripples, an indescribable sense of freedom and ease.

Qingyang Mountain, named after the ancient Qingyang tree, is located beside Mirror Lake, north of Tianmu Mountain. The ancient Qingyang tree is tall and straight, with lush foliage, its trunk reaching hundreds of meters in height. Standing beneath it feels like being in a grand palace, cool and refreshing, free from the worry of wind and rain. When I'm not practicing, I often hide among its branches to sit or lie down and rest, where no one can find me.

My master, after completing his training at Longhu Mountain and traveling extensively, took my eldest brother and settled in seclusion on Qingyang Mountain. Over the years, he went out and successively took in my second and third brothers, my sister, and me, and then rarely left the mountain. Hehe, such a wonderful place—if it were me, of course I wouldn't want to go out either!

This time, for some reason, Master suddenly brought my third senior brother to visit Master Lu at Xiaohan Mountain. Could it be that he went to propose marriage for my second senior brother? Master Lu's two female disciples—Senior Sister Wuyin and Junior Sister Wushuang—are both very beautiful. Master Lu brought them here two years ago. At that time, my second senior brother and Senior Sister Wuyin, because their cultivation methods were similar, often sparred together.

Master and Master Lu both belong to a branch of the Longhu Mountain Taoism. The Longhu Sect Taoists are much better than those smelly Quanzhen Sect Taoists. Their disciples not only don't abstain from meat and alcohol, but they can also marry and have children. And we disciples, who only cultivate and haven't formally joined the Taoist sect, are even more free. People generally call us "Yushi," which sounds much better than "Bull-nose Taoists."

I strolled leisurely along, and before I knew it, Xiaojing Lake came into view. I stopped and walked towards the lakeside, passing several flower bushes and shrubs, until I reached the Shenlong Gate residence. The kitchen was very simple, a small wooden hut with a small outdoor shed under which sat a long wooden table and several stone benches. My eldest brother was already sitting there.

I called out, "Eldest Brother!" and bowed. He

nodded. I was about to sit down when I suddenly remembered, "Where are Second Brother and the others?"

My eldest brother smiled and glanced at the lake outside the shed. With a "splash," a head popped out of the water, and then Second Brother slowly rose, gracefully walking across the surface. The water vapor evaporating from his body enveloped his flowing robes, making him appear ethereal and exceptionally elegant.

I said enviously, "Second Senior Brother, when will you teach me the Water Escape Technique?"

Second Senior Brother smiled and said, "If you're not afraid of Master's wrath, I can teach you."

Of our fellow disciples, the eldest brother practices Metal Escape, the second senior brother Water Escape, the third senior brother Fire Escape, the senior sister Wood Escape, and I Earth Escape. Master has strictly forbade us to teach each other privately, or we'll be severely punished.

I knew Second Senior Brother definitely wouldn't dare teach me the Water Escape Technique; begging was useless, it was just empty talk. Second Senior Brother approached, bowed to the eldest senior brother, and sat down at the lower end.

Third Senior Sister-in-law came out of the kitchen, bringing vegetarian dishes, nodded to the two senior brothers, and glanced at me. A thought struck me. After her bath, Third Senior Sister-in-law's face was clear and beautiful. With each step, her waist swayed gently, her hips appearing and disappearing beneath her clothes—a subtle and simple charm of a young woman. How come I hadn't noticed it before?

I was about to follow her into the kitchen when I suddenly felt uneasy. Having been intimate with my third sister-in-law earlier that day, I felt a little guilty. So I told my two senior brothers, "I'll go call my senior sister!" and vanished instantly. Hmph, I had to make my second senior brother jealous first.

The east side of the lake is associated with wood, and my senior sister lived there. I appeared in front of her wooden house on the east side of the lake. Her door was closed. I called out, "Senior sister!" No one answered. I thought, "Could she have run off into the woods?" I couldn't resist trying out the newly learned Eye-Opening Technique. I gathered my inner energy and peered through the window, and was suddenly startled: a large patch of clothes lay spread on the bed, and my senior sister's head was resting on it, her eyes closed.

I cried out urgently, "Senior sister!" My heart pounded. Had my senior sister gone mad and her body burned away?

The head that was lying in the clothes suddenly opened its eyes and even spoke: "What are you yelling for?!" Then the head and the empty clothes slowly rose up. Then arms stretched out from the clothes, legs grew out, and finally the breasts bulged out. The senior sister jumped off the bed as if nothing had happened.

I breathed a sigh of relief and called out from outside, "You startled me! Were you practicing your soft kung fu again?"

My senior sister's eyes were bright as she glanced outside. "When did you open your eyes? You were actually peeping at people practicing."

I smiled smugly, "At noon, I finally gained the Heavenly Eye!"

My senior sister slowly walked through the wooden door and came out. She practiced the Wood Escape Technique, so these wooden door panels were practically nothing to her. My senior sister gave me a brief look and continued walking towards the kitchen. I followed behind and asked, "Senior sister, what kind of kung fu were you practicing just now?" My

senior sister replied coldly, "Invisibility Technique."

I opened my mouth, but ultimately didn't speak.

My senior sister smiled, "So you've learned your lesson this time and won't bother me to teach you the Invisibility Technique anymore?"

I was overjoyed, "Senior sister is willing to teach me?!"

My senior sister snorted and didn't say anything, continuing on her way.

I said in annoyance, "You still won't teach me! You're just making fun of me."

My senior sister laughed, "Even if I were willing to teach you, are you skilled enough? You're overestimating yourself!"

I chuckled, "That's hard to say, just watch!" I pushed out with both hands, and the ground suddenly rose up, forming a mound of earth that blocked my senior sister's path.

My senior sister smiled slightly, "

Showing off your skills before an expert!" She pushed with her hand, but couldn't budge it. My face flushed red, and I gasped for breath, "How about that?!" I used all my strength to hold it in place.

My senior sister shouted, "Open!" The mound of earth collapsed with a "boom."

I hung my head in dejection. My senior sister's Five Elements Wood Technique was exactly the nemesis of my Five Elements Earth Technique, and her cultivation was more profound than mine. Although my skill had improved by one level, I was still no match for her.

My senior sister gave me a surprised look: "Not bad, I used eighty percent of my true energy to knock down your earthen barrier."

I wilted like a frostbitten eggplant: "But you still knocked it down."

My senior sister laughed: "Of course! You think you can compare with my meager skills?!"

I snorted and didn't say anything. My

senior sister muttered to herself: "But, learning the invisibility technique shouldn't be a problem now, right?"

I exclaimed in surprise: "Senior sister?!"

My senior sister smiled, and I was stunned. Her skin was like snow, and she was usually as cold as ice, but just now, her smile was like the moon breaking through the clouds, the frost melting, indescribably beautiful.

I turned my head away, but secretly circulated my energy, my gaze returning to her face, never tiring of looking at her. Her face was slightly red, adding to her beauty. Suddenly, I heard a low voice, as soft as a mosquito's buzz in my ear: "What are you looking at!"

I was startled and quickly looked away, my heart pounding. My senior sister walked on silently, as if she hadn't noticed.

I finally calmed down and smiled, "Good senior sister, let's start teaching me the invisibility technique tomorrow."

Senior sister said, "That depends on whether you're obedient from now on!"

I quickly swore, "I will definitely listen to senior sister." Actually, the sect rules are very strict, and the order of seniority is very clear; I should listen to her anyway.

In the blink of an eye, we arrived at the dining room. Senior sister didn't answer me anymore, bowed to the eldest brother, second brother, and third sister-in-law, and sat down next to her.

I sat at the last seat, and everyone began to eat. The dishes were simple, but the red and green colors were distinct, and they looked fresh and delicious.

The eldest brother used to be a novice serving our master. Before the third sister-in-law married into the sect, he was the one who cooked. After she arrived, she took over. The third sister-in-law's cooking was much more refined and delicious than the eldest brother's. Sometimes, when the third sister-in-law was unwell, the eldest brother would cook, and I found it difficult to eat.

We generally didn't talk while eating, emphasizing chewing slowly and thoroughly to fully absorb the natural essence of the grains, fruits, and vegetables. For a moment, all was quiet, save for the faint sounds of swallowing and chewing, the loudest of which was mine.

Third Sister-in-law swallowed softly, almost without a sound. Dressed in a plain dress, she sat above Senior Sister, her head bowed, her small mouth slightly open. Seeing my lustful thoughts, she secretly activated her Heavenly Eye, carefully skirting around Senior Sister to peek under her skirt. She caught a glimpse of a white leg. Sister-in-law squeezed her leg together, coughed, and choked on a grain of rice, her face turning slightly red. My Heavenly Eye naturally withdrew.

After a while, the meal ended, and we remained seated. This was the most relaxed time for us brothers, chatting about everything under the sun.

Suddenly, Second Brother looked up at the sky and asked, "Eldest Brother, is that our sect's messenger crane?" Senior Sister and I looked in the same direction, but saw nothing. We heard Eldest Brother say, "No, it looks like a phoenix-tailed eagle from the Quanzhen Sect." After a while, I finally saw a black dot on the horizon, flying high from the direction of Mount Tianmu.

Second Senior Brother frowned and said, "Recently, the phoenix-tailed eagles of the Quanzhen Sect have been frequently appearing in the south. It seems the news that the Northern School of Taoism intends to invade the south is true. I'm afraid Master's recent trip down the mountain is also related to this."

Eldest Senior Brother said, "Second Junior Brother, it's not appropriate for us disciples to speculate on Master's intentions. Master will tell us

what's going on." Second Senior Brother hurriedly said, "What Senior Brother says is true."

I said, "Let's intercept them and see what the message is, then we'll know, right?" With the combined efforts of us brothers, we should be able to intercept the phoenix-tailed eagles. Eldest

Senior Brother and Second Senior Brother shouted in unison, "No!" Senior Sister rolled her eyes at me, as if to say that I loved to cause trouble.

Eldest Senior Brother slowly said, "The Quanzhen Sect has become very powerful in recent years. We must not provoke them lightly. Intercepting messengers is a major taboo in Taoism!"

Seeing how nervous my senior brothers were, I thought, "Is the Quanzhen Sect really that scary?" Eldest Senior Brother, with his round eyes and long beard, still stared at me with concern.

Second Senior Brother laughed, "Junior Brother has never left the mountain gate. The factions within the Daoist sect are complex, and he knows nothing about them. It's not his fault."

Eldest Senior Brother said gently, "You'll have to be careful in the future."

I felt quite bored, so I stood up, stacked the bowls and chopsticks, and said, "Sister-in-law, let me help you clear the dishes." Of course, I had ulterior motives.

Third Senior Sister-in-law laughed, "Put it down! Do you know how? Don't make things worse."

Senior Sister said, "Junior Brother opened his Heavenly Eye today and is in a good mood!"

I didn't answer, but cheerfully carried the bowls and chopsticks to the kitchen, thinking to myself, "He opened not only his Heavenly Eye, but also his physical eye!"

After Senior Brother and Senior Sister left, Third Senior Sister-in-law brought in the remaining dishes and placed them in a basin. I sneakily approached her. Third Senior Sister-in-law bent down to wash the dishes, and suddenly lifted her heel lightly, kicking me: "What were you doing while we were eating?" I saw that the back of her ears turned slightly red.

I chuckled softly, "I just caught a glimpse of your fair, beautiful legs."

Third Sister-in-law bit her lower lip, "You're getting bolder and bolder, aren't you afraid your senior brother will find out?" She continued washing her hands.

I laughed, "Who told you to be so beautiful, Sister-in-law?"

Third Sister-in-law blushed and remained silent. Looking at her slender, alluring back from behind, I reached out and gently touched her slightly upturned buttocks.

Third Sister-in-law whispered, "So nagging!" Her voice was sweet and seductive, like someone stealing something while trying to hide it.

My lower body instantly hardened, but I dared not linger here. So I whispered, "Good sister, step back a little, let me see your legs."

Third Sister-in-law's face flushed crimson, and she cursed, "Pah!" Her cheeks were as red as if painted with rouge.

My heart was itching with desire as I watched from behind. After a while, I saw her legs move, opening slightly. I quickly used my inner energy to look, and her two white legs soared upwards, like two opposing, fleshy pillars, narrowing as they went up, like a sliver of sky. Before I could even see the color at the top, her legs suddenly closed again.

I cried out anxiously, "Good sister, please!"

But my third sister-in-law was only concerned with washing the dishes and clearing away the food, refusing to reveal even a glimpse of her beauty. Helpless, I could only say, "Good sister, I'll go now, I'll wait for you tonight."

My third sister-in-law whispered, "No! That won't do."

I lingered for a while longer, staring at her face, until she nodded slightly, before excitedly returning to my room to wait.

As I sat in my room, savoring the moments I'd shared with my third sister-in-law that day, I suddenly remembered my master mentioning that dual cultivation between men and women was a secret technique of the Southern School of Taoism. If practiced properly, it could rapidly increase one's power. The feeling of perfect harmony I experienced after our lovemaking—could this be a sign of successful dual cultivation? It was a pity I hadn't received detailed guidance from my master before, only vaguely remembering things like maintaining a "clear mind," etc. I must ask my master for instruction someday. But I'm not yet married; what reason could I possibly give my master?

Lost in thought, I realized it was getting dark. I used my earth-遁术 (earth-遁术, a technique of escaping into the ground) to open a passage and bring my third sister-in-law in. She appeared in my room and immediately sealed off the surrounding area to prevent outsiders from hearing or noticing anything inside.

Turning around, I saw my third sister-in-law standing with her back to me, facing the lamp, brushing the dust off her clothes. I heard her whisper, "It's filthy, covered in dirt!"

I chuckled, "Good sister, let me help you." I stretched out my hands and ran them over her body, gathering all the dust from her clothes.

My third sister-in-law didn't know what to do next. She sat quietly on the side of the bed, looking at the oil lamp, her face slightly flushed, and didn't speak.

I sat behind her and turned her around. She lowered her eyes shyly, still not daring to look at me. I was overjoyed. My sister-in-law was no longer the one who treated me like a little brother; she was more like my newlywed wife, her shyness indescribable. In that instant, I felt like I had grown up a lot, and all I wanted to do was tease and tease this shy woman in front of me.

I reached out and touched her chin. She smiled and turned her head. I followed, my head capturing her lips. Our lips lightly touched, and we grew increasingly excited, embracing each other. I laid her down on the bed and began to undress her.

My third sister-in-law lay there, her breasts heaving, letting me turn and tease her body. I removed her outer dress, revealing a bright red bodice and a silk undergarment. Her body displayed a strange harmony, both petite and delicate, yet also full and alluring.

My eyes burned with desire. I quickly stripped off my own clothes, climbed onto the bed, and the instant my thigh touched hers, the indescribable, captivating sensation causing us both to cry out.

I controlled myself, carefully avoiding direct contact, maintaining a small distance, keeping my mind clear, savoring the breathtaking allure of that close proximity.

I first touched her trembling nipple, then withdrew my hand, gliding it across her thigh before moving away again. At that moment, I was more like a curious child, playing with my sister's body. It was like picking a tempting fruit, placing it before me, but not immediately eating it, savoring the sweetness of the fruit about to enter my mouth.

She panted, her face upturned, occasionally glancing at me. The heat emanating from her body seemed to possess an invisible force, drawing me to her. My breath lightly touched hers, and I whispered in her ear, "Good sister!"

She let out a soft moan, turning her body around. I hugged her tightly, and like a sudden volcanic eruption, I became wildly frenzied. With a flick of my wrist, her bodice flew off; with a tug, her undergarments were pulled off. At that moment, I couldn't care less about being "clear-headed"; I only wanted to crush and mash my beloved third sister-in-law's delicate body. My erection, enraged, poked and prodded at her soft flesh, as if trying to pierce a hole in it. Suddenly, it landed in her small hand, throbbing violently.

She held my vital parts, and I gasped for breath, straddling her, staring intently at her. Her slender hands gently caressed me, and I shuddered, my body slumping down, my face and nose pressed against her trembling breasts. Dizzy and disoriented, I opened my mouth and began to suckle, while her small hands moved lightly below.

From her breasts down, I kissed my way down to her abdomen, my body arching high. Her hands released my penis. I stepped back, finally reaching her thick, dark pubic hair, moist and warm, incredibly plump and soft. My

fingers tugged at her pubic hair, the skin along the hair rising and falling back down. My third sister-in-law's waist arched with it, letting out a soft moan. Further down, there was a clean, soft patch of tender flesh, plump and clustered, parted, the flesh a slightly different color from the rest of her skin, tender and white, sticky with fluid. My God! Is this a woman's genitals? Is my senior sister like this too?

Curious, I rummaged through it, wanting to see it clearly and memorize it deeply, ignoring my third sister-in-law's closed legs and writhing waist. Driven by curiosity, I stuck out my tongue and licked it, but to my surprise, she reacted violently, her waist arching sharply and her legs thrashing.

Seeing her unable to bear my licking, I intensified my tongue's movements, teasing and stirring. My third sister-in-law cried out repeatedly, her whole body writhing like a tiny insect, her legs twitching. The more I licked, the wetter she became, the more it flowed down between her legs. Hearing her soft cry, "Ah—no—little brother—no!" my erection trembled, unbearably itchy, wanting only to find a place to rub against.

I sat up, circulated my inner energy twice, and held it heavily in my hands. I pushed apart her tender white thighs, aimed at her delicate spot, and thrust hard. With a "plop," juices splattered. Half of my inner energy went in, with the shaft still outside. My third sister-in-law screamed, pushing against my abdomen: "No! It's too big!"

Because I mainly cultivate the "transformation" of the Daoist school, while my third brother mainly cultivates "strength," he cannot transform his inner energy like me. Therefore, my third sister-in-law had never accommodated an abnormally large inner energy after transformation before, no wonder she couldn't bear it.

I slightly withdrew my energy, making it smaller. My third sister-in-law loosened her grip, and with a "sizzle," I squeezed my inner energy in, starting to thrust heavily, making a "tsk tsk" sound. After hundreds of thrusts, my third sister-in-law moaned softly, her hands grabbing wildly at her waist. Gradually, her body became softer and softer, like mud mixed with water, limp in a ball.

Suddenly, it felt as if a current of energy, mixed with water, flowed out from my third sister-in-law's body, flowing into my body through my penis. I was startled and quickly stopped moving. But the current of energy didn't stop; it traveled from my penis to my back, up my spine, and then quickly spread throughout my body, feeling warm and very pleasant. I thought to myself, could this be the practice of dual cultivation?

But I've never practiced it before and don't know the methods or secrets.

I couldn't care less about that now, and I quickened my thrusting, but my penis didn't ejaculate at all. I pulled out and caught my breath. My third sister-in-law turned over restlessly, revealing her snow-white buttocks to me. My lust was suddenly aroused, and I thrust into her from behind. It felt tight and comforting. I thrust and pumped for a long time until my third sister-in-law suddenly squeezed her legs together tightly, letting out a muffled "hmm," her body convulsing. Another gush of fluid flowed from her. I finally couldn't control myself and ejaculated profusely. A stream of energy flowed from my body, endlessly, entering my third sister-in-law's body and flowing back, circulating throughout her body. My eyes filled with tears, a cool and refreshing feeling washed over me, my soul soaring to the heavens, my spirit wandering between heaven and earth.

Part One: The Qingyang Taoist, Chapter Three: The Tragic Change in the Sect. I don't know how much time had passed, but I felt my genitals gradually contracting, as if about to slip out of her opening.

Opening my eyes, I suddenly saw my third sister-in-law's entire body, crystal clear like jade. A faint halo of light shone brightly, then disappeared again. My master said that those with profound cultivation in the Tantric sect had bodies like white jade, completely transparent, surrounded by a halo of light, appearing like immortals. This was the sign of their attainment of the elixir, and it seemed to be true.

After our lovemaking, not only did my skills improve, but my third sister-in-law also benefited greatly. How wonderful it was that such a pleasurable method of cultivation existed! I secretly resolved to master dual cultivation. Alas, I wondered when my master would return?

My third sister-in-law shifted slightly, and my penis slipped out of her opening, limply resting on her thigh. She glanced at me, her face flushed and rosy after our lovemaking, indescribably delicate and alluring. I pressed my lips to her back, then whispered in her ear, "Good sister, I'm so happy!"

Her eyes were fixed on me, lost in thought. Suddenly, she smiled to herself, gently kicking her toes, a shy satisfaction overflowing from her.

I was filled with boundless joy, my fingers tracing patterns on her body. A moment later, my penis stirred, springing up on her leg. She glanced back at me, seemingly surprised and shy. I couldn't resist, turning her body around and pressing myself against hers. I reinserted my penis, moving slowly and gently until I ejaculated again. We lingered for a long time before I put her back. I

slept until dawn. The magic that had imprisoned my breath gradually dissipated. Hearing the chirping of birds outside, I sprang to my feet, my face flushed and my energy abundant. I felt an urge to do some somersaults to release my pent-up energy. After washing up, I tried to use my land-based flight technique. My body rose slowly from the ground, crossed the Little Mirror Lake, and floated towards the woods. My clothes fluttered, and the morning breeze caressed my face—it was indescribably pleasant.

I landed on a tall tree and looked down. The Little Mirror Lake reflected the trees, appearing clear and dark green, like a pool of clear wine. Several wooden houses were scattered along the lake, connected by winding paths. The morning mist swirled, the dew was cool, and there was not a soul in sight. Occasionally, a bird would fly across the lake, its dark shadow tracing a graceful arc before disappearing into the forest. This was Qingyang Mountain, the place where I grew up. In that instant, I was suddenly moved by an inexplicable emotion, standing atop a tree, speechless for a long time.

My master said that I was a farm boy, and that he happened to pass by and took me away. He didn't say whether he had asked about my biological parents, nor where I was from, only that for a cultivator, the less one knows about worldly ties, the better. Over the years, I rarely thought about my origins, always regarding my master and fellow disciples as my family, growing up freely in the mountains year after year.

From the age of three, I began practicing breathing exercises and Taoist soft kung fu. By the age of seven, every inch of my skin could contract freely, and a bead would roll around me from my toes to my forehead. I would lie quietly, using the contraction and expansion of my skin to make the bead travel all over my body. The Shenlong Sect called this "Rolling Bead Kung Fu." By the age of ten, I could fold my body up, my hands, feet, shoulders, and torso all together, sometimes like a meat pie, sometimes like a ball of flesh.

My master said that human potential is limitless. Through the cultivation of essence, qi, and spirit, one can cultivate the inner elixir, and then one can multiply and transform infinitely, transcending birth and death, and roaming freely between heaven and earth. Unfortunately, he could only teach me some minor techniques such as the Five Elements, invisibility, and teleportation. To glimpse the Great Dao, one must rely on my own cultivation and opportunities. Nowadays, there are many Taoist sects in the world, and they are fiercely competing. It is probably impossible to cultivate in peace. At this point, my master sighed, a rare occurrence, and remained silent.

For the first time, I knew that even my master had worries, though I didn't know what he was worried about. After his speech that time, he taught me a "Soul Separation and Possession Technique," saying that in case of disaster and the destruction of the physical body, the primordial spirit could escape, preserving a sliver of life and being reborn in another's body.

Thinking of this, I suddenly had a bad feeling. I looked to the sky and called out in my heart, "Master! Where are you?!" A chilling, desolate feeling seeped into my body. I rushed up the treetops, my heart filled with unbearable sorrow and bitterness. Had something happened to my master?

I saw my senior sister in the forest. She was facing west, tears streaming down her face. My heart trembled, and I slowly lowered myself, asking in surprise, "Senior sister?!"

Her face was ashen: "Something happened to Master!"

My heart sank. My senior sister's premonition was the same as mine! The two returned to their lodgings and saw their eldest brother, second brother, and third sister-in-law sitting together in the distance. Clinging to a sliver of hope, they approached step by step. Seeing the sorrowful and solemn expressions on their faces, they knew their hope was utterly shattered. They cried out in anguish, "Master!!!" Their vision blurred

, and they almost collapsed. The eldest brother said, "Master has passed away. Something is bound to happen here. Everyone, quickly pack your things, just in case!"

He glanced around at everyone and saw that they were still standing there, motionless. He shouted, "Go now!"

Dazed, they returned to their room and packed their belongings. On the corner of the table, they saw a bead with a yellowish crystal. It was the Divine Dragon Bead that Master had given them to practice "Rolling Bead Kung Fu." Although it was no longer useful, they couldn't help but reach out and take it, tears welling up in their eyes.

The group reunited. The eldest disciple stood by the table, pointing to a bundle on it, and said, "This is the sect's secret manual that Master gave me before he left. Master said that if anything unexpected happened, it should be distributed among the disciples for safekeeping, so that it would not be lost. When we reunite in the future, we can bring glory to our Divine Dragon Sect!"

After speaking, he took out the scrolls inside, recited the name of the manual, and handed it to someone. I felt a pang of sadness, not even hearing what scroll was given to me, and I quickly hid it close to my body.

The waters of Little Mirror Lake remained unchanged, but there was a chill in the air. After we brothers finished distributing the scrolls, we stood silently by the lake for a moment, just about to set off.

Suddenly, we saw several figures rushing from afar on the high peaks of Qingyang Mountain. The eldest disciple said, "It's Third Brother—Uncle Lu and the others!"

The third brother and the others landed, all panting and looking disheveled. Third Sister-in-law cried out, "Du Lang! You—" She rushed forward to support her. Her third brother had a deep sword wound, several inches deep, slashing from his left shoulder to his waist; he had narrowly escaped being disemboweled.

His face was ashen, and he choked out, "Master is—."

Eldest Brother nodded sadly, "Everyone knows. Third Brother, please rest."

Uncle-Master Lu's clothes were torn and disheveled, as if burned, revealing a large patch of charred flesh on his shoulder. His expression was grave: "I'm afraid there won't be time to rest. The Quanzhen demons and their lackeys from the Great Dao Sect and Qingwei Sect will be chasing after us. You must come with me to Mount Tianmu immediately for refuge!"

Behind him stood Senior Sister Wuyin and Junior Sister Wushuang, their clothes and hair disheveled, their faces ashen, but their injuries appeared less severe. Second Brother only focused on Senior Sister Wuyin with concern, unable to comfort her.

The eldest brother said, "Yes! I will obey your orders, Uncle Lu."

Uncle Lu said, "Second nephew Zheng Yong and fifth nephew Li Dan, escort Wuyin and Wushuang ahead. Fourth nephew Chen Yao, third nephew Du Keng and his wife Bian Wu'er will stay in the middle. Eldest nephew Liu Yuanheng and I will cover the rear. Now go!"

Before he finished speaking, a voice suddenly rang out: "You lewd Taoist, trying to slip away? No way!" The voice was extremely shrill and piercing. Immediately, the open space in front of the shed suddenly split open, and six or seven Taoists appeared on the ground, of varying heights and with strange appearances. One of them, a young female Taoist, looked to be no more than twenty years old, with a beautiful face, and looked at me coldly. Uncle

Lu's expression changed drastically, and he shouted, "Set up the Five Elements Formation! Wu'er, Wuyin, and Wushuang, follow behind me!"

We all responded in unison, "Yes!"

The eldest sister was in the east, the third brother in the south, the eldest brother in the west, the second brother in the north, and I was in the middle. The Five Elements Formation was quickly set up, and Uncle Lu and the others protected the third brother.

The Five Elements Formation is the sacred treasure of the Divine Dragon Sect. My five fellow disciples and I have practiced it diligently, utilizing the ancient and ever-changing principles of the Five Elements. Compared to individual efforts, our formation is infinitely variable and far more powerful. Even our master couldn't withstand it.

Those Quanzhen Taoists seemed confident of victory, coldly watching us take our positions and set up the formation without interfering. Six or seven of them could all use the Five Elements Earth Escape Technique, indicating their cultivation was far from shallow. Even more formidable was the precision with which they landed, perfectly accurate—a feat only those with profound skill could achieve. Earth Escape Technique varies depending on individual skill; even I, who can only shrink the earth a hundred times, still miss my target by a considerable margin.

The leading Quanzhen Taoist priest, holding a whisk, had high cheekbones and spoke in a shrill voice: "Lu Mianchang! What good is your stubborn resistance? Hand over the *Yuanqi Jing* to our sect, and we may spare your lives."

Master Lu laughed wildly, "Yun Zhenzi, you are shameless! The *Yuanqi Jing* was entrusted to my brother and me by Master Haiqiong. When did it become the property of your Quanzhen sect?"

A thin, yellow-bearded Taoist priest said, "Master Haiqiong was a senior of our Qingwei sect. The *Yuanqi Jing* naturally belongs to our sect. Now that our sect has merged into Quanzhen..." "The True Teachings, it's said to be the property of the Quanzhen Sect, that's absolutely true."

Uncle Lu sneered disdainfully, "Hmph, you Qingwei betrayed the Southern Sect and joined the Quanzhen Sect, shameless of yourselves, fine, but you even helped the Quanzhen Sect to seize our sect's property, what face do you have to speak to me?"

The thin-faced, yellow-bearded Taoist blushed, "You lecherous Taoist, you're courting death! Senior Brother Yunzhen, just send them away, so they won't be so stubborn!"

Yunzhenzi smiled without speaking, swept his whisk, and the sound of wind and thunder appeared, as if in a show of force, but he didn't make any move, it was unknown what he was waiting for.

Suddenly, Second Senior Brother exclaimed "Eek!", and saw more than a dozen figures rushing over from the heights of Qingyang Mountain. It turned out they still had reinforcements, which was why they were hesitant to move.

At this moment, we knew that there would definitely be no peaceful resolution today, we looked at each other in silence, Third Senior Sister glanced at me, lowered her head, and gently stroked the hand on Third Senior Brother's arm. I heard my senior uncle Lu's voice instructing me to split up and escape as soon as the Five Elements Formation was broken. Then my senior sister's voice came, incessantly. I glanced at her, and she paused, saying, "Don't get distracted. Remember this, it's the incantation for invisibility." She continued reciting it. I felt both amused and saddened. Looking into my senior sister's clear, watery eyes, I suddenly felt a surge of hot blood, a determination to protect her at all costs.

The dozen or so figures were close in the blink of an eye. Yun Zhenzi suddenly shouted, "Water!" With a sweep of his whisk, the surface of Little Mirror Lake suddenly rose, condensing into a huge, thin sheet of ice. It shattered abruptly, accompanied by a gust of wind and a hissing sound. Thousands of ice shards shot towards us with extreme force. My

second senior brother pushed out his palms, his sleeves hanging low, and shouted, "Go!" The ice shards all melted into water, which was suddenly slowed down by my senior uncle Lu's flick of his robe, falling lightly to the ground like snowflakes.

I secretly cast a spell, and the ground where the Quanzhen Taoists stood suddenly sank. I thought some of them would be thrown into disarray, but instead, they all remained standing, their feet dangling in the air, their figures unchanged.

Yun Zhenzi sneered, "A mere trick, yet you dare to show off!"

A tall Taoist priest with a white beard and red face appeared behind him, saying, "I'll deal with them." His wide robe billowed out, and a cold wind swept over them. In an instant, Wushuang's face turned pale and her lips turned blue, unable to bear the bone-chilling cold. Uncle Lu extended a hand to help her.

Third Senior Brother struck out with a palm, thunderous roar, and a ball of flame mixed with black smoke swept towards the Quanzhen Taoists, activating the Five Elements Formation. I hastily used my earth-moving magic, causing the ground in front of the shed to shake and dust to billow. My senior sister uprooted trees from the lakeside, sending them flying like arrows to block our path. My second senior brother channeled a torrent of water, surging towards them. Amidst this, my eldest senior brother's Five Elements Needles, as thin as black hair, rained down, shooting out in a flurry. My Uncle Lu's palms suddenly grew more than ten feet long,

waiting for an opportunity to launch a sneak attack. A chorus of curses erupted, and several Taoists were already injured. Suddenly, a golden light flashed before my eyes, and a halo of light burst open, the clouds parted, and the sun shone brightly. Several Taoists appeared and pounced on us. The dozen or so Taoists who had come down from the top of Qingyang Mountain also scattered in all directions, each with their own unique style. The two sides clashed fiercely.

I was in the center, receiving the least amount of damage, and moved nimbly, sending reinforcements from all sides. I saw those Taoists in green robes, wielding sharp swords, their figures rising and falling swiftly, flitting about like bats, striking and retreating, retreating and advancing again.

I heard my third senior brother groan, struck by Yun Zhenzi's dust-tail, blood splattering from his shoulder. I rushed forward to take

the blow for him; it was bone-chillingly cold. It was the white-bearded, red-faced Taoist priest. His limbs were almost frozen, his dantian was cold, and he was momentarily unable to move. My third senior sister-in-law blocked a sword thrust at me, exclaiming, "Junior brother!" Her eyes flashed, mostly white, her concern indescribable. I gave a bitter smile, retreated to the middle, and rested my energy. It seemed they saw my third senior brother was seriously injured, so they focused their attack on the south-facing Li Huo. Soon,

my senior sister, second senior brother, and Wushuang junior sister were all injured, the disparity in strength becoming increasingly clear. Suddenly, my eldest senior brother unleashed his power, his body shifting with the formation, releasing countless Five Elements Golden Needles. I heard shouts of "Ouch!" and "Damn it!" as several Taoist priests fell. Iron swords pierced my eldest senior brother's body, producing a continuous "clanging" sound. At the same time, an enemy Taoist released a ball of eerie blue fire, which caught up with the eldest brother's back, followed by a burnt smell.

Ignoring the incoming sword, the second brother countered with both palms, striking the eldest brother's back, extinguishing the fire with a layer of frost. He himself was immediately struck on the shoulder, but the eldest brother forced the Taoist away with a palm strike and supported the second brother.

The battle was now in disarray. Master Lu shouted, "Remember what I just said!" His figure instantly grew several times larger, bursting through the roof. His hands, larger than palm fans, rapidly extended, his palm shadows filling the air. Yun Zhenzi shrieked, "Sacrifice yourself!—Everyone be careful!" Several Taoists were struck in the chest by Master Lu, spitting out blood. Simultaneously, countless sword tips pierced Master Lu's arms and hands, but he didn't utter a sound. His palms unleashed their power, striking several more Taoists, forcing the Quanzhen Taoists back several steps. Uncle-Master Lu shouted, "What are you waiting for?!"

I used my earth-遁术 (earth-遁术 is a technique that allows one to escape into the ground) to open a passage and guide everyone. Third Senior Brother couldn't move, so he pushed Third Senior Sister-in-law. I then pulled her into the passage. Third Senior Sister-in-law cried out in anguish, "Du Lang!────!" Her body had already disappeared into the ground. I carried Eldest Senior Brother and the others several feet ahead, when suddenly I felt a chill. The soil was frozen harder than iron, and I couldn't move forward.

I vaguely heard Third Senior Brother shout wildly. The soil ahead was loose and warm, so I led everyone forward hastily. I heard Third Senior Brother scream half a time, and then there was silence.

My power could only carry everyone a few more feet before I couldn't hold on any longer and resurfaced. In the distance, I saw Eldest Senior Brother and Third Senior Brother holding off a group of Taoists, while the majority were chasing after us.

The eldest brother sighed and shouted, "Scattered!"

We scattered, with my senior sister following behind me. I saw my third sister-in-law still staring back blankly, so I quickly tugged at her. The three of us struggled to use our land-based leaping techniques and ran into the forest.

Part One: Qingyang Feathered Warriors, Chapter Four: The Giant Serpent of Qingyang Mountain. The ancient trees of Qingyang Mountain provided dense shade. Entering the forest, the chill was bone-deep. The ground was covered with a thick layer of decaying leaves, and stepping on it felt like walking on mud.

We had all practiced soft skills. If we could hide in a concealed place, shrinking like insects, and then use magic to confine ourselves, we might be able to escape our pursuit. Although my senior sister had not yet mastered the invisibility technique, using it to hide was a piece of cake. We immediately rushed into the depths of the forest with all our might. Suddenly, the dead leaves in front of us rustled, and several Taoist priests appeared from the ground, chuckling coldly. The female Taoist priest had her hand on the hilt of her sword, her willow-leaf eyebrows raised coldly, her spirit soaring, and she possessed an indescribable cold and beautiful charm. The wide Taoist robe fluttered in the wind, making her figure appear even more petite and alluring. The hem hung down, revealing black shoes and white socks, tied with thin ribbons. Her delicate feet seemed incongruous with her Taoist identity.

The female Taoist glared at me fiercely, her voice clear and bright, and shouted, "You lecherous scoundrel, die!" A sword flew out, and her face, filled with anger, only added to her beauty.

My third sister-in-law swayed and stepped forward to block the sword for me, saying, "Zhao Yanfei! I've seen you before."

The female Taoist who called out Zhao Yanfei's name paled, her eyebrows furrowing slightly: "Su Nu Jin?! You're from the Tantric sect?" Just now, my third sister-in-law's flick had caused the incoming sword to bend and deflect, the energy traveling up the sword and into Zhao Yanfei's sleeve, causing the sleeve to ripple as if a small mouse was scurrying inside.

Third Sister-in-law's voice was soft: "Back then, when Master Sun met my master in Penglai, you were young, but you were so pretty and charming that my master took a liking to you and you stayed for a few days."

Zhao Yanfei seemed to remember something and asked, "Are you—Sister Qiong? Or—Sister Wu?"

A shallow dimple appeared on Third Sister-in-law's cheek as she smiled calmly and said softly, "Bian Wu'er."

Zhao Yanfei was stunned. A pale-faced Taoist beside her said, "Since you are from the Tantric sect, we won't make things too difficult for you, but the lecherous disciples of the Divine Dragon Sect cannot be let go."

Third Sister-in-law smiled sadly, "My husband is dead, what good is clinging to life? But they are both still young, and belong to the same Taoist lineage. Do you really intend to exterminate them all?!" A beam of light shone on her gentle face, making her look pitiful and moving.

For a moment, I felt like an orphan begging for pity, feeling extremely uncomfortable, and was about to speak. The male Taoist priest frowned, glanced at me, and said, "This boy has such a lecherous look in his eyes; he'll surely bring disaster to the world in the future. He must not be allowed to live!"

Third Sister-in-law turned and slowly walked towards me, her eyes shimmering with a gentle light. With her back to the group of Taoists, she softly said, "He's just a child." She straightened my collar as she did so, and I felt a thin booklet appear in my arms.

Third Sister-in-law's slender hand brushed across my forehead, as if to tidy my disheveled hair. Suddenly, she bent forward and retreated, bumping into Zhao Yanfei. Zhao Yanfei shouted, "What are you doing?!" and struck out with his palm. Third Sister-in-law ignored him, taking the blow head-on. In a flash, she had already seized a vital point on Zhao Yanfei's back, blood trickling from the corner of her mouth. She said, "I'm sorry!"

Several Taoists cried out in alarm. Zhao Yanfei raised his face slightly, snorted, and his face showed a look of angry arrogance. The male Taoist priest who had spoken earlier cried out urgently, "Don't hurt my junior sister!" His concern was palpable.

Third Sister-in-law turned to my senior sister and me, saying, "Hurry up and go!"

My mind was in turmoil, and I stammered, "Sister-in-law, you—"

My body moved against my will, pulled away by my senior sister. Third Sister-in-law gazed at me intently, her eyes overflowing with undisguised affection. A pang of pain shot through me; I hated my own weak skills, unable to protect her. Shame and resentment welled in my eyes, and tears threatened to spill. We

grew further and further apart until even a glimpse of Third Sister-in-law's pale yellow robe disappeared from sight. My vision blurred, and I turned back, running silently with my senior sister. My chest churned, burning with rage, and I secretly vowed that one day I would wipe out all the Quanzhen Taoists to avenge our sect's deep-seated hatred!

After crossing several small hills, my senior sister suddenly pulled me tightly into a giant tree, climbing several meters up its trunk before stopping. We heard a faint rustling of clothing in the distance; more Quanzhen Taoists were chasing after us.

It was pitch black inside the tree; we couldn't see anything. My senior sister and I pressed ourselves together, holding our breath. After a while, the Quanzhen Taoists moved on, gradually disappearing into the distance. I choked out, "Sister-in-law, she—" My

senior sister transmitted her voice, comforting me softly, "The Tantric sect holds a transcendent position; even the Quanzhen sect wouldn't dare provoke them easily. Sister-in-law is a member of the Tantric sect; her life is safe." She paused, then added, "You're so concerned about sister-in-law?!" Her voice seemed to carry a hint of mockery.

My face burned, and I dared not speak. My senior sister sighed softly, and a fragrant orchid scent wafted onto my face. Her body softened, and I immediately felt the soft, fleshy touch of her skin.

My senior sister shifted her body slightly. The space was cramped, preventing her from leaving my body, but this only added to the alluring sensation of skin-to-skin friction. She immediately dared not move again.

Her hair was disheveled, a few strands falling onto my neck, tickling me unbearably. I shifted my neck slightly, feeling a cool sensation on my lips and nose, likely from her skin, which startled me and made me freeze.

Suddenly, the back of my hand, nestled beside her waist, felt warm and damp from something dripping down. I exclaimed in surprise, "Senior sister?!" Following the bloody drip upwards, I touched a soft, bouncy mound of flesh and quickly withdrew. My senior sister let out a soft "humph." Neither of us spoke in the darkness, only feeling each other's heavy breathing. An extremely stimulating, ambiguous atmosphere enveloped us, making us dizzy and slightly sweet, yet reluctant to part.

A moment later, my senior sister's hand suddenly and quietly touched my back. My heart skipped a beat, and my blood surged. I wondered what she was going to do when I felt a heat in my back. A surge of true energy flowed into my body from my senior sister's palm. I cried out, "Senior sister, no!" The energy surged up, and I couldn't open my mouth to speak.

I was anxious and was about to break free when a damp, rotten smell suddenly wafted up from the base of the tree, filling my nostrils. My senior sister exclaimed, "Oh no!" and pulled me off the tree.

Just as I struggled to my feet, the giant tree where we had been hiding suddenly exploded. A gust of air knocked my senior sister and me off our feet. It was like the sky and earth were collapsing. Wood chips flew everywhere, and the tall tree trunk crashed down on other trees with a loud "whoosh." A huge snake's head emerged from the crack, its red tongue flicking. The snake's body kept emerging from the base of the tree, coiling around us several meters away. After a while, it finally revealed its entire body. The snake's body was as thick as a wooden barrel and probably several meters long.

My senior sister trembled, nestled in my arms, clearly terrified. Suddenly, a surge of unprecedented courage rose within me. I half-embraced her, watching the giant snake's movements, knowing it must be a thousand-year-old monster. I remained vigilant, but dared not make a move. In the distance, I saw several Quanzhen Taoist priests rushing towards us, and I inwardly groaned. The three arriving priests were Yun Zhenzi, a Qingwei sect priest, and the white-bearded, red-faced high-ranking Taoist—all highly skilled practitioners. Escape seemed even more unlikely.

The giant snake circled my senior sister and me once, then suddenly turned to meet the Quanzhen Taoist priests. The Quanzhen priests seemed stunned as well. Yun Zhenzi raised his hand, took a step back, and shouted in a shrill voice, "Everyone be careful!"

My senior sister and I exchanged a glance and quietly moved aside. The thin Taoist priest from the Qingwei Sect shouted, "Where do you think you're going?!" He leaped up, trying to overtake the giant snake, but the snake suddenly raised its body, its long red tongue flashing. For some reason, the Qingwei Taoist priest cried out "Ah!" and fell backward.

Yun Zhenzi shouted, "Evil-Slaying Sword!" A sword flew out from behind him, its yellowish light flashing erratically, slashing at the giant snake. The snake's body swayed and twisted, dodging with ease. The tall Taoist priest with white beard and red face also shouted, "I'll lend you a hand!" His Taoist robe billowed, and even though my senior sister and I were far away, we could feel the cold wind hitting our faces and chilling us to the bone. His cultivation technique was deeply imbued with the extreme cold of the Arctic, perhaps the nemesis of that giant snake. Sure enough, the snake's body was frozen, and its movements immediately became less agile than before.

My senior sister and I, riding on the backs of two Taoist priests, fought against the giant snake. We quickly turned and fled, running sideways. There were several high-ranking Buddhist monks on Mount Tianmu who might be able to protect us and save us from this predicament.

As we walked, my senior sister glanced at me, her face slightly flushed. "Junior brother, you were very brave just now." I felt a sweetness and pride. Just now, when my senior sister leaned against me, she was a little shorter than me, not at all like a senior sister, but more like a delicate and helpless girl.

My senior sister asked, "Where are we going now?" She was actually asking for my opinion. I felt both excited and proud, but also a little hesitant. I said, "How about going to Mount Tianmu?"

My senior sister nodded gently, without any objection. I called out, "Okay! Follow me!" and led the way towards the South Peak, with my senior sister following behind.

As we approached the summit, the trees became shorter and shorter, until finally they were just shrubs and weeds. The giant Qingyang Tree was nowhere to be seen. The ground was a mixture of soil and rocks, with strangely shaped boulders scattered here and there on the mountaintop. The wind was strong on the mountaintop, making clothes flutter and linger for a long time.

Suddenly, I heard my senior sister whisper, "Someone's here!" A green shadow flickered among the low trees to my right, and Zhao Yanfei and several other Taoist priests had caught up again. I was startled—where was my sister-in-law?

Zhao Yanfei shouted, "You lecherous scoundrel, don't run!" Hearing this, I ran even faster. After

running for a while, I suddenly stopped, grinning, "Where's my sister-in-law?"

Zhao Yanfei snorted, her face showing anger, and I was secretly delighted.

I smiled at my senior sister, sat down, and said, "I'm tired, let's rest." Before my bottom even touched the ground, I suddenly lunged forward and disappeared into a patch of earth in front of me.

Hearing Zhao Yanfei's angry shout, she lunged at my hiding place. I didn't flee as soon as I was buried in the ground. As soon as she entered, I grabbed her, but I was a little too early, only managing to hold her lower body; her upper body remained on the ground.

Zhao Yanfei screamed and thrust her sword into the ground. I, buried in the ground, moved nimbly, while she, pinned to the ground by her lower body, was awkwardly restrained. My face landed squarely on her buttocks, and I bit down hard. Zhao Yanfei cried out in pain. Hearing her clear, sweet voice, I came to my senses, realizing I had bitten a female Taoist's buttocks, and a strange, indescribable sensation washed over me.

She struggled incessantly, her buttocks rubbing against my face. Her buttocks were round, soft, and supple, exuding a subtle feminine aura. I couldn't resist biting again, but this time I didn't use much force, only biting the soft flesh between her buttocks. Zhao Yanfei became even more panicked, almost crying out, shouting, "Pervert! Pervert!" while repeatedly thrusting her sword into the ground, which I dodged each time. On the ground, only the shouts and curses of the Taoist priests could be heard.

Suddenly, my senior sister shouted, "Watch out!" I felt a chill on my side, followed by a burning pain. I had been stabbed by a Taoist priest who had secretly burrowed into the ground. Unable to bear the pain, I leaped out of the ground and fled with my senior sister towards the cliff top. The Taoist priests immediately gave chase.

Just as we were about to reach the top, a phoenix-tailed eagle flew overhead. A Taoist priest let out a whistle, and the eagle circled low. At the priest's shout, it swooped down on us. As it drew near, its wings blotted out the sky, stirring up dust.

Its sharp, sinewy talons were aimed at our faces. I shouted, "Beast!" I struck with my palm, the force hitting the eagle's body like hitting rotten cotton. With a "thud," the eagle was sent flying high. The phoenix-tailed eagle seemed unfazed, swooping down again. By this time, the Taoist priests were even closer.

I was anxious and at a loss when suddenly a thought struck me. I shouted, "Senior Sister! Leap onto the eagle's back!" The phoenix-tailed eagle was only a few feet off the ground, just within the reach of any land-based flight technique.

I leaped up and pounced on the eagle. Just as I touched its wing, the eagle was startled and flew away from the cliff top. My body was suspended in mid-air, with misty clouds below, thousands of feet above me. I felt dizzy and my palms were sweating. I could hear my senior sister calling out in alarm.

Zhao Yanfei must have been extremely angry with me. Her long sword flew out, drawing an arc of light, and shot towards me. I was already trembling with fear, but in my haste, I grabbed the eagle's wing for leverage, flipped over, and landed on its back. I saw a gap in the clouds below, bottomless. A chill ran down my spine, and I broke out in a cold sweat.

Shouts and cries echoed from the cliff top. My senior sister was already entangled by several Taoist priests. I gripped the eagle's head, trying to guide her, but I couldn't control it as I wished. It just circled endlessly on the cliff top. My senior sister cried out, "Junior brother! Go quickly!" She forced one of the Taoist priests away with a palm strike, then suddenly turned and plunged into a clump of weeds, disappearing in an instant. The Taoist priests darted about wildly in the open space. A little further away, the weeds rustled, and one of the Taoist priests exclaimed, "There she is!" and gave chase.

I was filled with mixed emotions, happy that my senior sister had mastered the art of invisibility, yet worried that she might not be able to escape the pursuit. Finally, I felt a little relieved, manipulated the eagle's wings, and rode away.

My senior sister had mastered the art of invisibility; if she had escaped alone from the beginning, it shouldn't have been difficult. Yet she had stayed with me all along, all to protect me. A wave of unbearable sorrow washed over me.

My master had said that I had the highest talent among his disciples. But I've always been playful and restless since childhood, unwilling to practice martial arts properly. I've never taken the tedious and boring cultivation of body and qi seriously, only thinking that whatever magic looked fun, I wanted to learn. Today, a great change has occurred. First, my senior uncle and third senior brother held off the enemy, and then my third senior sister-in-law sacrificed herself to protect me. Now that I think about it, wasn't my senior sister's intention the same? I'm the most useless person. Not only can I not help, but I can't even survive on my own, and I've only dragged others

down. I lay on the eagle's back, my heart surging with emotion, filled with shame and pain. Below, the Mirror Lake rippled, wisps of smoke drifted, and Qingyang Mountain, surrounded by the lake, looked like a lonely island floating on the water, drifting further and further away from me. My Qingyang Mountain! A place I've never left before, but today I'm forced to flee, not knowing where to go.

The eagle flew south, over Tianmu Mountain, the mountain range flat and continuous, gradually lowering, and after passing through countless ravines and hills, I began to see circles of farmland, and scattered signs of human habitation. The further south we flew, the denser the population became, with crisscrossing rivers and verdant mountains, and the air grew warmer.

A mix of bewilderment and excitement filled me; the farther I went, the better. Occasionally, I would land on a hilltop to check my wounds, rest briefly, and then continue south. By this time, I was more adept at controlling the phoenix-tailed eagle, and riding on its back felt like floating on air. I don't know how much time had passed, but

suddenly we arrived at a place where fields crisscrossed, houses clustered together, and the road stretched out like a thin line. Passing dozens more places to the south, darkness fell, and I could only occasionally see lights below. A moment later, in the distance, I saw countless lights, like stars scattered across the night sky. The phoenix-tailed eagle flew directly towards them, over city walls, courtyards, small bridges, tall buildings, and many houses. As we got closer to the ground, I could hear the cacophony of voices below. After crossing a lake, I suddenly heard a whistling sound. The phoenix-tailed eagle followed the sound as if summoned. Could there be a Taoist priest here? Startled, I quickly folded my wings and circled above a courtyard. Another whistling sound came, seemingly urging me on. Afraid of attracting attention, I leaped off the eagle's back and landed on a rooftop. Seeing a garden ahead, I gathered my strength and ran towards it.

(Next chapter: The Female Taoist, hehe────) Gu Yong's Note:

Time flies. Since I started posting on Devil's Island this February, I have posted over 40 articles of various kinds. The support and encouragement from all my readers has always been my motivation for writing. Thank you all!

Because my work "The Possession Chronicles" has been signed with Shangyan Publishing House, it will no longer be posted on various forums. I apologize to the readers who have supported me for so long. However, during the writing of "The Possession Chronicles," I will still try to post some short stories and continue to complete other serialized works.

This chapter of "The Immortal Sword Successor" remains colorless, but the upcoming possession phase is expected to be the golden age of the sex scenes. The story will construct a sensual backdrop similar to the abundance of beauties in "Dream of the Red Chamber" (the Jia family mansion, the imperial palace, and the Taoist temple) to make the sex scenes more natural and alluring.

Because I spent several days collecting materials and rewriting, I'm unsure if the transition from previous chapters is smooth and natural, or if the character "Zuo Xiaoqiong" is vivid enough. I'd like to hear your feedback.

Finally, I must apologize; this chapter's conception differs slightly from the original plan. I wanted to add a sex scene at the end as a reward for readers who enjoy the story, but the plot simply doesn't allow it yet—sob! (I'll have to repay the readers with other articles.) Part One: The Qingyang Taoist, Chapter Five: The Sword Immortal's Successor. Passing by a courtyard, it seemed to be the home of a wealthy family. The roof had upturned eaves and corners, and the building was rectangular, facing the lake. At the western end, it turned a right angle, with several more houses connected to the wall, enclosing a spacious courtyard. In the courtyard, there was a pond, a rockery, and winding railings. Lanterns were scattered and cleverly hung at various corners, half-hidden, adding a warm and elegant atmosphere to the entire courtyard. To the west was what appeared to be a kitchen, and a strange fragrance wafted in on the breeze. Today, my sect had been ambushed, and I had been fleeing since morning without a drop of water. Upon smelling it, I suddenly

felt an unbearable hunger in my stomach. I gathered my inner energy and looked towards the kitchen. I saw steam rising from the earthenware pots on the stove, and the fragrance must be coming from there. The room was lit by firelight, but it was empty. I was secretly delighted, leaped into the courtyard, and used the space to hide myself as I approached the kitchen. Suddenly, a loud noise erupted, and someone shouted, "Thief!" Clang, clang, clang—gongs rang out, and many people rushed out of the houses, carrying lanterns, knives, and clubs, searching in all directions. I cursed my bad luck; my first attempt to steal a meal had been discovered.

But the people, though scattered, were not chaotic; they searched separately. Seeing that some were closing in on my hiding place, I quickly shrank into a cave in the artificial hill. At the same time, I wondered why these people appeared simultaneously upon hearing the gongs, without any panic, as if they had been prepared. Could the Quanzhen Taoist priests be so powerful, possessing predictive abilities, knowing I would enter the courtyard to steal food?

Just as they were wondering what was happening, a short figure suddenly appeared from the kitchen and leaped over the wall. The people shouted, "There he is!" "I saw him!" "A thief!" "He jumped over the wall and ran away!" Several people leaped up and chased after him over the wall. Those who did not know how to use light-footed skills poured out from the gate and chased after him around the wall. The shouts gradually faded away, and the courtyard became quiet.

I emerged from my hiding place, amused. How could these people, with such weak martial arts skills, catch a thief? It turned out there was another thief here, perhaps a habitual one. No wonder they seemed on guard, causing me to be suspicious and giving me a false alarm!

I immediately relaxed, slipped into the kitchen, wrapped myself in a damp cloth, picked up the earthenware pot, and leaped onto the roof. I saw the group that had caught the thief earlier, their lights flashing, chasing north. So I gathered my strength and headed west, towards the garden I had first seen.

The garden was large, dark and silent, without a single light or sound, like a long-abandoned garden. I looked through each house in the courtyard, and indeed, there wasn't a soul in sight.

There was a pavilion in the garden, surrounded by water on all sides, with winding railings connecting them. The pavilion had a table and benches—a perfect spot. I placed the earthenware pot on the stone table in the pavilion, my stomach rumbling. I couldn't resist lifting the lid; steam rose, and a wonderful fragrance wafted out.

Without chopsticks, I had to reach into the jar with my hand, pick up something that looked like a chicken leg, and open my mouth to bite it. Suddenly, I felt a sharp pain on the back of my hand, and the chicken leg fell back into the jar. I heard a child's voice: "Hey! How dare you steal my food!"

I was startled and stepped back to protect myself. I saw that a child had appeared in the pavilion sometime during the day. The child had his hair tied in a bun, a round little face, and squinting, thick-lidded eyes, staring at me. I looked around and turned back: "Was that you?!"

The child, dressed as a Taoist priest, brandished a stick in his hand: "Of course it's me! Who else is here besides me?" His voice had a feminine quality. Upon closer inspection, I saw that he had fair skin, and although he was a bit plump, he was still very pretty. He was a girl, no more than twelve or thirteen years old.

I was filled with doubt and surprise: "Are you a Taoist priest?!" I hadn't noticed him sneaking into the pavilion at all.

The little girl frowned and said, "Of course not! Hey, you're talking weirdly, and you stole my food. You're definitely not a good person!"

I said apologetically, "Is this yours? Is that your house?" pointing to the large house we had just seen.

She frowned and said, "That's where I eat. This is my home."

I said, "Oh! Sorry to bother you. Why are you alone at your house?"

She said, "You're so long-winded! I'm just staying here temporarily. Humph, I waited all day for the lotus seed and black chicken stew to be cooked, but you disturbed it, and I got chased for ages!"

I suddenly realized, "Oh—!" I pointed at her with my mouth wide open, and after a long while, I laughed out loud, "You're the thief from earlier?!" Without any politeness, I sat down and chuckled, "I got this. If you're hungry, I can share some with you, but you have to be polite. Stop talking about 'yours' and 'mine' all the time."

She glared at me, "Hey! Can you keep your voice down?! I just saved your life, you know that?" Her domineering manner was actually quite cute.

I lazily stretched out my arms and legs, saying, "When did you save my life again? You're talking nonsense."

She pointed to the earthenware pot and said, "If I hadn't hit you just now, wouldn't you have eaten it already?"

I nodded and said, "Yes."

She said, "Don't you know it might be poisoned?" I thought about it, and she was right. Since those people knew someone would come to steal the food and were prepared, they might have already poisoned the soup.

I said with a bitter face, "We're doomed, we'll both go hungry." The pot smelled delicious, but we couldn't eat it, which was really annoying.

Then I saw the little girl curl her lip in disdain, take out a pair of chopsticks from her bosom, pick up a piece of meat from the pot, and put it in her mouth.

I cried out in alarm, "Hey, be careful, it might be poisoned!" Had she gone mad with hunger?

She shook her head, "How silly! I watched them make it, of course it wouldn't be poisonous." She waved the chopsticks in her hand and added, "Besides, these chopsticks can test for all poisons in the world, don't worry."

I was both amused and exasperated, but then I saw her wipe her mouth and say, "Hey! Wait for me a minute!" Her figure blurred, and she disappeared outside the pavilion, her movements completely undetectable. From afar, I heard her shout, "Don't steal any food!"

I was astonished. My master had once told me that there were countless extraordinary people in the world. Among the Taoist sects with higher magical power than our Divine Dragon Sect, in the north were the Quanzhen Sect, the Great Dao Sect, and the Taiyi Sect, with the Quanzhen Sect being the most powerful. In the south were the Longhu Sect, the Maoshan Sect, and the Gezaoshan Sect, collectively known as the "Three Mountains of Talismans" or the "Three Sects of Talismans." In addition, there were the Tantric sects that practiced both Buddhism and Taoism, the Linghe Sword Sect renowned for its immortal sword techniques, and the vast and profound Buddhist sects with branches all over the world.

Among the many sects, besides the highly accomplished Earth Immortals who can roam freely across the heavens and earth, the Maoshan Sect and the Yujian Sect are undoubtedly the strongest in light-body flight techniques. Each sect excels in its own way and is considered the best. Judging from the girl's movements just now, swift and invisible, it surpasses even our Shenlong Sect's land-based flight techniques. Could she be a disciple of the Maoshan Sect or the Yujian Sect?

Just as I was pondering this, the girl brought over a jar, placed it on the stone table, and then took out a purse from her bosom. Opening it, she revealed small pieces of smoked, golden-brown duck meat.

The girl sat down with a smile, saying, "Wine and food! You're lucky to have met me today!" Her expression was greedy and she couldn't hide her excitement.

I smiled bitterly to myself. My sect was attacked and relentlessly pursued today; could I really be considered lucky?

The little girl had already scooped the juicy black-boned chicken from the pot and torn off a small piece of chicken leg for me: "Hey, here's half for you!" I stared blankly at the pitifully small chicken leg in her hand, with a bit of skin hanging down.

She seemed a little embarrassed and tore off a piece of chicken breast for me: "Is that enough?" After all, it was still less than half.

I usually eat very little, so I didn't mind, but I was lost in thought and my expression was a little dazed. She thought I was dissatisfied, and while tearing at the chicken with juices dripping down her face, she mumbled comforting me: "There's also Li's smoked duck, you eat it! Eat more, it tastes very good." As she spoke, she couldn't help but reach into her purse first. With a piece of black-boned chicken in her mouth, she reached for the wine jar with one hand, looking quite flustered.

I found it amusing. She had a round face, but her eyebrows revealed a boyish air, and her unusual attire made it difficult to tell whether she was a boy or a girl. Despite her childlike appearance, her words and actions exuded a carefree and unrestrained spirit.

Seeing me lost in thought, she suddenly seemed to have an extra hand, tapping my shoulder with a stick: "Hey! Aren't you going to eat?!"

Startled, I snapped, "Just say something, why are you hitting me with that stick?!"

Her eyes widened in disbelief as she waved the stick in front of me: "Look closely, is this a stick? My precious sword!"

I examined it closely and couldn't help but chuckle. Sure enough, the "stick" was long and slender, slightly pointed at the tip, with a handle resembling a sword hilt. However, the scabbard was round and bulging, unlike the usual flat and round shape; without close inspection, it was truly impossible to tell it was a sword!

A thought struck me, and I asked, "What's your name?"

She stared at me, frowned, and said, "You're a strange person; you always talk nonsense!" After a pause, she said, "Alright, I'll tell you. My name is Zuo Xiaoqiong. What's yours?"

I said, "My name is Li Dan, from the Shenlong Sect." I secretly hoped she would also tell me about her lineage.

But she ignored me, as if she had never heard of the Shenlong Sect. She didn't react at all, only focusing on eating and drinking, making loud smacking noises. I was aroused by her and started eating too. I imitated her, picked up the wine jar, tilted my head back, and took a big gulp of rice wine. As soon as the wine entered my stomach, a wave of alcohol rose up, its aroma rich and fragrant, and I immediately felt a smoky, intoxicating feeling.

This was my first time drinking alcohol. The alcohol hit me hard, and I swayed my head, unable to recover for a long time, dazed and savoring the strange feeling.

Seeing my expression, Zuo Xiaoqiong giggled, "Never drunk alcohol before, have you?" I exhaled a breath of alcohol, and picked up the jar again. This time, I didn't dare drink in large gulps; I held a small sip in my mouth before swallowing, and immediately felt an indescribable taste. I frowned and cried out, "It tastes awful! It tastes awful! I've been tricked! I've been tricked!" This time it was even worse than when I had drunk it in large gulps.

She laughed, "This is imperial wine from the palace! If this wine is bad, then there's no good wine in the world!"

I stammered, "The palace? This is wine from the palace?"

She said, "Yes, I went to the palace for dinner last night and casually brought this jar back."

I exclaimed in surprise, "You went to the palace last night? How far is it from here?"

She pointed south and said, "Not far. Look, that temple-like thing on Phoenix Mountain is the palace."

I stammered, "Ah, that's the palace?! This—this..." "Where is this again?!"

she exclaimed in surprise. "This is Lin'an, the capital! You're not so drunk you don't even know where you are!" She reached out, spread her fingers, pressed my forehead, and shook it, calling out, "Hey, wake up! Wake up! I won't help you if you're drunk."

My mind was a mess, and I even forgot to push her greasy little hand away. I had heard my third sister-in-law say before that Lin'an was the capital, a vast city, densely populated, beautiful, and bustling place, thousands of miles away from Qingyang Mountain. I never imagined that I would be sitting here now, drinking and talking with a strange girl. For a moment, I felt like I was in a dream.

The sky outside the pavilion was clear, the moonlight was bright, and the water around me shimmered like silver, with a cool breeze blowing. Everything around me was completely different from the old scenery of Qingyang Mountain, and I felt even more certain that I was in a strange place. Looking at the only girl I vaguely recognized, I couldn't help but feel a surge of affection and asked, "Zuo—Zuo Xiaoqiong, how did you get here?"

Zuo Xiaoqiong replied, "I heard Lin'an is lively and fun, with lots of delicious food, so I secretly ran away from the mountains.

" I asked curiously, "Aren't you afraid your master will worry and search everywhere for you?"

Zuo Xiaoqiong said, "Why? I've done whatever I wanted since I was little, and my master has never cared about me. Besides, he often disappears suddenly, and sometimes when he goes out to play, he doesn't tell me or my junior brother."

I shook my head: "Aren't you afraid to be alone?"

Zuo Xiaoqiong's dark eyes widened in surprise, "Afraid?!" It seemed she never knew what was worth being afraid of.

It turned out that she had come here a month ago, eating her way through every wealthy household, official residence, and restaurant in the capital, even the imperial palace. Relying on her light-footed skills, she came and went freely, leaving no trace. She truly lived a carefree and unrestrained life.

I found her words amusing and couldn't help but feel envious. I laughed and said, "Zuo Xiaoqiong, from now on I'll follow you and eat all the delicacies in the world!" Zuo Xiaoqiong said, "That's great! Then I'll have a companion!" We looked at each other and burst into laughter.

After drinking more than half a jar of wine, Zuo Xiaoqiong's cheeks flushed, and she rolled up her sleeves, placing a chubby little hand on the stone table. A charmingly innocent girl's demeanor was revealed. She said, "I'm afraid—your lightness skill isn't good enough, and it'll be a burden. I'll just steal something—and bring it back for you to eat."

I was already half drunk and angrily said, "You dare to underestimate me?!" I stood up and looked around, looking for a place to stand so I could show her our Divine Dragon Sect's land-based leaping technique.

Just then, the moon broke through the clouds, its silvery light pouring down and illuminating the earth. The starry sky was reflected in the water. Standing in the pavilion, I couldn't tell if I was in the heavens or on the ground. A sense of emptiness and detachment from reality made my body feel weak and unable to muster my inner energy.

I was startled and exclaimed "Eh!" The more I looked, the more astonished I became, a chill creeping into my heart. The water was circular, with the pavilion right in the center. Two winding railings, one from the north and one from the south, connected to the pavilion, forming an "S" shape that divided the water in half, creating a yin-yang symbol. The moon reflected in the water was precisely at the yin point within the yang of the yin symbol. A cool breeze blew by, and what should have been a beautiful scene became chilling, making my skin crawl.

Zuo Xiaoqiong seemed to sense something was wrong as well. Following my gaze, she stared in astonishment, her face gradually turning from flushed to pale. I stood there, feeling my inner energy being slowly drained away, leaving me utterly weak. I shuddered and cried out, "Quick, let's get out of here!"

Zuo Xiaoqiong, sitting on a stone bench, gasped, "I—I can't move! I have no strength at all."

My body went limp, and I swayed precariously, collapsing against the pavilion railing, cold sweat pouring down my back. "This is truly strange—what should we do?"

For a moment, both Zuo Xiaoqiong and I were unable to move. Although I sensed the layout here resembled a Tai Chi symbol, and the pavilion's location was particularly odd, I couldn't help but ask, "Could the food be poisoned?"

Zuo Xiaoqiong gasped, "No!…My chopsticks can detect all poisons…I…I feel completely weak, as if my inner energy is being constantly drained away. It doesn't…it doesn't seem like the symptoms of poisoning."

A chill ran through me. It seemed we had indeed fallen into that sinister Tai Chi formation. If it were poisoning, with our years of cultivation, we might be able to slowly expel the toxins and save our lives. But in this situation, we have no clue what to do, truly no solution.

I tried to gather my true energy, but it wouldn't obey my commands. The true energy within me flowed like a thin stream, involuntarily gathering at the soles of my feet and trickling out of my body. Looking around, the water was smooth as a mirror, the moonlight silent, everything quiet, showing no signs of anything amiss. But the weeds growing by the pavilion, which had been vibrant and upright just moments before, now looked as if struck by frost, their leaves withered and drooping. It was as if there was a suction force in the world, drawing away all the spiritual energy from the pavilion.

If this continued, in less than half an hour, Zuo Xiaoqiong and I would be completely drained of our life essence, leaving only skin and bones!

Was I really going to die so inexplicably? Forget about seeking revenge against the Quanzhen Sect; even seeing my senior sister and sister-in-law is impossible now. Alas, where are you now?! Despair gripped my heart like cat claws.

I heard Zuo Xiaoqiong groan; she was clearly struggling too. The feeling of having one's inner energy slowly drained was truly unbearable, causing pain and despair, yet leaving one helpless. Zuo Xiaoqiong's face was deathly pale, her spirit broken, a far cry from her earlier carefree and willful self.

I suddenly felt immense pity and sympathy for her, wanting to go closer, touch her, and offer her some comfort. Unable to move an inch, I gasped for breath and asked with difficulty, "Zuo Xiaoqiong, how long have you been here? Have you been to the pavilion before?"

Zuo Xiaoqiong looked blank and said, "Yes! Everything was fine on other days, but I don't know why it's like this today."

Yes, we had been in the pavilion for quite some time at first, without noticing anything unusual. It was only when I was about to use my land-based leaping technique that everything in the pavilion suddenly became strange!

I couldn't help but stare blankly at the moon in the sky, trying hard to think. In a hazy state, I seemed to grasp something, but it was like a wisp of smoke, unable to solidify. The moment my thoughts touched upon it, it dissipated, becoming ethereal again, like recalling something long forgotten.

Suddenly, a light flashed in my mind: just now, when the moon appeared, its reflection in the water perfectly aligned with the yin-yang point within the yang of the tai chi symbol, thus forming a complete tai chi formation! Only when the formation was complete did its power begin to manifest!

The owner of this garden arranged the pavilions and winding railings in the water into a Tai Chi symbol. Normally, nothing seemed amiss, but when the moon and sun were in their respective positions, the entire arrangement came alive. Perhaps if the moon's position shifted, or the arrangement changed, the suction force could be dispelled?

A glimmer of hope rose within me as I asked Zuo Xiaoqiong, "You practice swordsmanship, are you proficient in the Way of Tai Chi?" My master had said that many swordsmen were proficient in Tai Chi and Bagua, and that the direction of their footwork often subtly corresponded to the principles of Tai Chi and Bagua when performing sword techniques.

Zuo Xiaoqiong replied, "We practice flying sword techniques, which have nothing to do with the Tai Chi sword practiced by True Martial Taoists."

I sighed. Our Shenlong Sect was proficient in the Five Elements, but we knew little about the Way of Tai Chi. Even if there were a way to escape, we were immobilized; what could we do?

The moon hung high in the sky, like a jade plate, growing brighter and brighter, emitting a pale, eerie light that mercilessly shone upon the earth. Inside the pavilion, Zuo Xiaoqiong and I were like offerings, allowing the mysterious power of heaven and earth to absorb and drink our meager spiritual energy. Time passed slowly, and death drew ever closer… Suddenly, we heard a “click,” the sound of footsteps on the tiles seemed to come from the east. I looked in the direction of the sound, but the eastern bank was empty, nothing but weeds and rocks. Then, Zuo Xiaoqiong exclaimed “Eh!” and two figures floated in from the high southern wall.

Zuo Xiaoqiong and I shouted in unison. But the two ignored us and rushed towards the house in the garden. Zuo Xiaoqiong and I shouted until our throats were hoarse, but they didn’t react at all. Were they deaf?

Then we heard a young man say, “Uncle Lü, is this the residence of Wang Ji back then?” His voice was very clear, as if right next to my ear. I was startled and looked around. There was no one else in the pavilion except Zuo Xiaoqiong.

Then another somber, aged voice said, "That's right! Wang Ji cultivated Taoism at home for decades, but one day he suddenly left home. It is said that he has achieved the Great Tao and has no more attachments." The tone sounded like the two people who had just entered the garden exchanging questions and answers. However, the two of them were far from the pavilion, and their voices did not match their location.

The young man laughed, "Although Wang Ji attained the Great Dao, his nephew Wang Luo is a scoundrel who dared to collude with the Demonic Sect. Now his whole family has been implicated and thrown into jail. Uncle Lü, do you think Wang Ji, having attained the Dao, couldn't even protect his own family? What's the point of being a high-ranking immortal?"

The old man chuckled coldly, "Wang Luo, a dissolute young master, colluding with the Demonic Sect? Hmph, I'm afraid it's not even his turn."

The young man asked curiously, "Then why...?"

The old man interrupted coldly, "No need to ask!"

As their voices continued to drift in, I suddenly realized: At this moment, everything in the garden was being drawn towards the pavilion in a vortex-like manner. Although the two were far away and the suction force was weak, their voices, though intangible, were drawn into the pavilion. My voice and Zuo Xiaoqiong's voices, however, were trapped inside the pavilion by the suction force and could not be heard.

After a while, I heard the young man say again, "...If we can find the Daoist scriptures left behind by Wang Ji here and present them to Master Song Defang of Xuandu Temple, we will have made a great contribution. When Master Lü takes charge of the temple, he will have to give his junior brother a lot of guidance."

The old man's gloomy voice finally couldn't hide a hint of pride: "Hehe, of course. Junior brother Yu, you were a businessman before you entered the Dao, right? When the time comes, you can take charge of the temple's finances."

The young man said happily, "Thank you, Master Uncle!"

The old man said, "Don't thank me yet. It's hard to say whether we can find the scriptures. However, if you are willing to follow my orders, I will take care of you in the future. Tell me, why didn't you go to Xiaohan Mountain with Senior Brother Yunzhen to search for the Yuanqi Scripture this time? Why did you stay with me?"

My heart trembled. These two were actually the evil Quanzhen Daoists who were in cahoots with Yunzhenzi! I immediately paid more attention to what they were saying.

The young Taoist seemed somewhat embarrassed, stammering, "Um—this—I dare not conceal the truth from you, Uncle-Master. I became a monk halfway through my training, and my martial arts skills are quite weak. Therefore—besides, I have observed you carefully in my daily life, Uncle-Master. You are prudent and wise in your work, rarely failing. Following you, I am sure I can share in the credit."

The old Taoist chuckled, "Currently, within the Quanzhen Sect, besides the Sect Leader Li Zhenren, the most powerful and prestigious person is none other than Brother Song Defang of Xuandu Temple. Brother Song has upheld the legacy of Grandmaster Qiu and has the full support of the Sect Leader. He has collected Taoist books from all over the world and compiled the 'Xuandu Taoist Canon.' Now, even if you casually offer up a single scroll of scripture, the credit will all go to him." Above it, there are indeed many people searching for scriptures throughout the Quanzhen Sect. The *Yuanqi Jing* is a secret transmission of the Southern School's Haiqiong Zhenren, renowned throughout the world; how could it be easily obtained? But Wang Ji abandoned his family and left, not attached to material possessions; it's quite possible he left behind some scriptures. Heh heh, Brother Yunzhen, choosing the difficult over the easy is truly unwise!"

The young Taoist said, "Uncle-Master is indeed insightful! This evening, Master's phoenix-tailed hawk flew back, but brought no news; it must have been an unsuccessful expedition. I just don't understand why our sect values collecting these scriptures so much; are they really that important?"

I thought to myself, so this is indeed the Quanzhen Sect's lair. I rode the phoenix-tailed hawk here; once Yunzhen arrives, he will surely know I've reached Lin'an City. I must be extremely careful from now on.

As the old Taoist priest spoke, “You are unaware of this. After our sect’s ancestor, Master Qiu, traveled west and met Genghis Khan of the Mongols, our power greatly increased. We now have thousands of temples and millions of followers. Not to mention all other Taoist sects in the world, we cannot compare, not even the Buddhist sect with its thousand-year history. However, the Buddhist sect has a long history, and its Buddhist scriptures are as vast as the sea, which our sect cannot match. If we can seize this opportunity to gather all the Taoist scriptures in the world, we can compete with the Buddhist sect for even a day. At that time, our sect’s unification of Buddhism and Taoism will be just around the corner!”

The young Taoist priest exclaimed happily, “So that’s how it is! I certainly didn’t choose the wrong sect back then!”

It seemed that this was too mercenary, and the old Taoist priest snorted unhappily. The young Taoist priest hurriedly said, “Uncle-Master… is this the place? Let me kick the door open and go in to look for you. Please sit and rest for a while.” Then came the sound of a door being broken down, followed by the sound of something being rummaged through.

I was anxious. Although someone had come to the garden, they could not help us escape our predicament. By the time they finished searching for the scriptures, Zuo Xiaoqiong and I were both covered in hair and skin. As

soon as the two separated, the young Taoist said something that the old man didn't hear clearly. He asked, "What did you say?"

The young Taoist hurriedly said with a loud, ingratiating laugh, "Uncle-Master! This place is indeed strange; it seems the wall panels absorb sound!"

The old Taoist paused for a moment, then suddenly exclaimed, "Oh no! Sound absorption technique!... Someone is eavesdropping!"

There are two types of Taoist hearing techniques. One involves using internal energy to extend hearing to a radius around the body, allowing one to hear even the faintest sounds clearly. The person being eavesdropped on is unlikely to notice. The other is sound absorption, which transfers the speaker's voice to the listener's location. There are no distance limitations, but it is easily detected by fellow practitioners, somewhat similar to the situation in the pavilion where their voices were being absorbed.

A moment later, two Taoist priests emerged from the house and began searching the garden. Suddenly, the older priest exclaimed, "There's someone in the pavilion!" He leaped closer, stopping at the railing and shouting, "So it's you two little thieves, sneaking around and eavesdropping on my conversation!"

Zuo Xiaoqiong yelled, "Hey! Who's eavesdropping on you?" But her voice didn't carry; the two priests seemed not to hear her at all.

The younger priest shouted, "You little thieves, you're asking for death! I'll send you to your deaths!" Seemingly eager to impress the older priest, he rushed over the railing and approached the pavilion.

I was pondering how to lure the two into the pavilion; even if it didn't help us escape, I could at least take two Quanzhen Taoist priests with me to their deaths, somewhat venting my anger. Seeing the younger priest approach, I was overjoyed. I immediately feigned disdain, lying lazily as if mocking them.

The young Taoist priest was quite cautious, glancing left and right while muttering, "Strange!" I struggled to move my body, as if trying to escape, and the young Taoist priest immediately said, "Where do you think you're going?!" As soon as he approached the pavilion, he was pulled in by the suction force, his body tilting and falling towards Zuo Xiaoqiong. Zuo Xiaoqiong barely managed to push him away, but couldn't hold on, and the young Taoist priest's body slid softly to the ground in front of her. It looked as if Zuo Xiaoqiong had knocked him down with a palm strike.

The old Taoist priest, with a black beard and a blue face, said in a deep voice, "This humble Taoist will deal with you!" He leaped up, his long sword immediately in hand, and swung it forward. As he approached the pavilion, he shouted, flipped backward, and while in mid-air, he chuckled, "Spiral suction force! Indeed, there's some trick to it!" The sword's movement was circular, creating a loud whistling sound within a very small range of motion, but then he shouted, "Go!" and swung his sword horizontally, trying to cut off the suction force in front of him.

Before the sword strike landed, a hissing sound came from the air, like a low whistle in the wind or the flicking of a venomous snake. Though faint, the sound seemed to drill into one's ears. The old Taoist priest screamed in agony, his sword falling into the water. He clutched his ears, fell backward to the ground, and writhed and struggled, crying out in pain, "Ah!... Ah!" Suddenly, he stood up, staggering around like a headless fly.

Just then, three white lights shot in from afar. After a brief flash, the lights grew larger, revealing three figures standing before the lake. One of them looked up at the sky and said, "We were a step too late. Ju'er, you stay outside the railing and protect us. Your mother and I will go to the pavilion!"

"Yes, Grandpa!" a boy of about fifteen or sixteen years old replied crisply.

"Inquire why that Taoist priest disrupted this formation!" the man said, slowly walking towards the pavilion, a woman in white following behind him.

The man was completely bald, resembling a monk, yet he wore no robes. His face was rough and angular, his eyes gleaming. Though ugly, he was full of energy, radiating a powerful aura. He appeared to be either seventy or eighty years old, or perhaps thirty or forty, exuding a strange and indescribable charm.

As he reached the pavilion steps, he glanced at me, his gaze tangible, dark and oppressive. My heart skipped a beat, and I quickly averted my eyes. Looking down, I was startled. In the moonlight, I could clearly see that he had left footprints, all raised slightly, an inch higher than the surrounding stone ground, with small fragments scattered around them. The woman's footprints were similar, all raised, but much shallower.

I muttered to myself, no matter how skilled others were, they could only leave no trace in the snow or create footprints that dented the ground. I had never heard of anyone sucking up the ground and causing it to bulge. The skills of these two were truly strange. I wondered where they came from.

Seeing that the two had already stepped into the pavilion, they didn't seem to have lost the strength to move like Zuo Xiaoqiong and I. They looked calm and composed, as if nothing had happened. The old man glanced at the pavilion, frowned slightly, reached down, grabbed the Quanzhen Taoist priest lying on the ground, and threw him behind him as if he were a hindrance.

I heard a "whoosh" in my ears, and the Quanzhen Taoist priest's flying body brought with it a strong whooshing sound. I saw his head and feet flipping back and forth, his body spinning like a windmill in mid-air, crossing the lake and crashing far away on the shore. A scream came, indicating that his limbs had been broken.

I was horrified. The old man had thrown me with such incredible speed and force! I wondered what he would do to Zuo Xiaoqiong and me next. If he threw us out of the pavilion like that, we would probably be half-dead, if not dead!

Seeing the old man reach out to grab her, Zuo Xiaoqiong's face changed drastically. She cried out, "Hey! What do you want to do?" Her voice was fierce despite her panic. The woman behind the old man smiled. Her face, which had been slightly melancholy, softened into a gentle smile, making her incredibly beautiful. The old man,

however, remained expressionless, his face as hard as iron. He placed his hand on Zuo Xiaoqiong's shoulder, then suddenly pulled it back as if it were burning his hand. "Eh! You're the disciple of that man by the river?!"

Zuo Xiaoqiong opened her eyes and said, "It's good that you know!"

The old man didn't answer. He turned and raised his palm. I suddenly felt a surge of internal energy strike my chest, and my body swayed involuntarily. The old man's ugly face gradually broke into a smile: "My dear, what a coincidence! This boy is Bai Yuchan's disciple!" He seemed to be speaking to the woman.

The woman said, "Congratulations, Father!" She glanced at me hastily, her expression suddenly becoming somewhat dazed, and stared at me for a long time.

I was puzzled: "Congratulations on what? Humph, you've got it wrong this time. My master is Zhang Danqiu, not Bai Yuchan!" Bai Yuchan was the one who left behind the "Yuanqi Jing" (Original Chess Classic), the Daoist Master Haiqiong, whose Daoist name was "Haiqiongzi." Before becoming the Grandmaster of the Southern School of Golden Elixir, he had also cultivated for a time on Longhu Mountain. My senior brother said that Bai Yuchan was originally a scholar who entered the Daoist path and was known as a "Daoist genius." My master was intelligent and studious in his youth and loved studying Daoist classics. He received a lot of guidance from Bai Yuchan. Although the two were peers, their relationship was somewhere between half teacher and half friend. The old man's guess was not entirely unfounded.

The woman's next words startled me: "One is a successor of the Spirit River Sect, and the other is... him... a disciple of Hai Qiongzi. Father, both of these sects' techniques are orthodox and extraordinary. Study them carefully, and you might be able to break through our sect's techniques and no longer need to come here to dissipate your power!" Upon hearing this

, Zuo Xiaoqiong and I immediately understood their intentions and shouted curses at the same time. Unfortunately, we couldn't move, and our curses were weak and lacked momentum. I shouted, "Old... old bald thief! Don't even think about... don't even think about using our sect's techniques. If you have the guts, throw me out with one palm. Begging for mercy is not the mark of a hero!" I originally wanted to say, "If you have the guts, kill me with one palm," but seeing how sinister this old man was, I wondered if he might really kill me with one palm. Wouldn't that be terrible?

"Shut up!" A white shadow moved, and the woman blocked my way, swiftly striking my mute acupoint.

The old man's expression shifted briefly, then quickly returned to calm. His thin lips concealed his gleaming white teeth as he said indifferently, "You still call that dog of a Taoist 'Hai Qiongzi'? Hmm, these two schools' techniques may not be superior to ours, and I wonder if they'll even be of any use." With that, he slowly sat down by the pavilion.

The woman's lips trembled slightly, and she forced a smile, saying, "Father... it's getting late. Let me help you circulate your energy." She floated to the old man's side, placing a hand on his waist. A glint of surprise flashed in her eyes as she looked at me from behind his shoulder.

The old man closed his eyes without answering and began to circulate his energy. A moment later, a line of white energy shot straight to the top of the pavilion. Then, the white energy above the old man's head grew stronger and stronger, billowing and enveloping everything. The woman gently withdrew her hand; her face was hidden in the white mist, indistinct, yet I felt she was still staring at me.

At this moment, the suction in the pavilion grew stronger and stronger, a cool sensation spread through my feet, and my internal energy dissipated more and more rapidly. The water around the pavilion began to swirl around it, and fish occasionally leaped out of the water, seemingly struggling and darting about. "Splash! Splash!" A soft sound rang out, and I looked closely to see that flying insects had entered the pavilion, hitting the pillars and stone table. Then, I was hit by several flying insects on my face. Some withered leaves, which seemed to have drifted in from nowhere, were also swept into the pavilion, gently swirling and landing.

I thought to myself, "It's over, it's over, I won't last until the formation stops, and that old bald thief won't be able to use our sect's techniques."

But then I saw the woman float out of the white mist, and immediately my knees jerked, my feet involuntarily kicking out. My Yongquan acupoint felt slightly numb, and then the numbness spread rapidly to the acupoints below my knees. I knew that the woman had sealed the meridians and acupoints below my knees. Then I saw the woman do the same to Zuo Xiaoqiong.

With my foot meridian blocked, the descending true energy stagnated in the thigh meridians, causing my legs to swell as if inflated, and my meridians to feel like they were about to burst. I cried out inwardly, "Oh no! This woman thinks that by blocking the flow of true energy, she can save our lives, but she didn't expect that this will only hasten our death!"

I felt extremely uncomfortable inside, and my mind gradually became unclear. My head felt empty, my feet swelled, and my body trembled. I had only one vague thought: "If she wants to save our lives, can't she just acupuncture our acupoints and move us outside the pavilion?!" But I couldn't make a sound, and I couldn't even give the woman a look.

Just when I thought my leg meridians were about to burst, suddenly, as if my legs were being slashed by knives, a surge of true energy rushed upwards, piercing through my body like sharp swords—a truly agonizing experience. My mouth gaped open, sweat poured down my face, and I cursed that woman countless times in my mind.

The true energy flowed back to my brain, causing my head to swell as if it were about to burst! Heavens! This was no joke! In shock, I cried out, "I'm going to die!" My temples throbbed, two large bulges formed from the surge of true energy, eager to burst forth from those bulges!

"Ah!" It felt like a million insects were buzzing and crawling in my head. My ears were ringing, I couldn't hear anything, my vision was blurry, and a long, silent scream lingered in my throat. My tongue was too weak to fall, and a cool sensation filled my mouth. True energy surged down, rapidly gathering in my dantian. As my dantian swelled up like a pregnant woman, it then moved upwards and downwards again, as if a giant rat was rampaging through my body. All the meridians in my body were being relentlessly and brutally eroded by the domineering and vast torrent of true energy, and the acupoints below my knees were completely unobstructed.

In this hellish torment, a talisman suddenly ignited silently in my chest and abdomen. I couldn't see this scene before, but it appeared in my mind naturally. I didn't know what it meant, but then I felt a cool sensation above my head, like a gentle breeze and drizzle, making my whole body feel refreshed and comfortable. The raindrops continued to fall, bathing me silently. Overjoyed, I opened my eyes and saw no cool breeze or drizzle. Everything in the pavilion was as before. The old man was shrouded in mist, his face covered in beads of sweat the size of soybeans, struggling to stay upright. Only I was breathing in the relaxed and free air of nature with ease and joy.

I looked around in a daze and saw that the commotion hadn't stopped; instead, it was intensifying. Suddenly, the water around the pavilion began to swirl rapidly, expanding in concentric circles, causing the entire lake to rotate slowly. Countless fish thronged the water, making a splashing sound. White dots on the surface were the bellies of dead fish, floating belly-up, drifting around the pavilion. Withered leaves danced in the air, obscuring the bright moonlight, and the world instantly became gloomy and oppressive. Looking around, every fish and every leaf seemed to be struggling desperately, a tragic and pitiful sight.

Strangely, all of this seemed irrelevant to me. Though I was here, my body felt empty and adrift, as if I wanted to rise with the wind and soar through the void. After a moment, I realized my body was still mine; I checked myself and found nothing had changed.

Suddenly, a bird appeared amidst the swirling leaves, its cries of anguish echoing. It flapped its wings frantically, but could not escape the suction, and crashed headfirst into the pavilion, its beak bleeding, its wing broken, and it died.

Further away, another large bird circled erratically. Ah! A phoenix-tailed eagle! Could it be that another Taoist priest had come looking for me?

Listening intently, amidst the commotion of the fish stirring the water, I could indeed faintly hear shouts and fighting outside the pavilion. My gaze pierced through the swirling leaves, and I saw a group of Taoist priests surrounding the woman and the boy, attacking them fiercely. The priests moved with incredible speed, much like the Quanzhen Taoists from Qingyang Mountain who were besieging our Shenlong Sect. A chill ran down my spine, then it dawned on me: it must have been the two Quanzhen Taoists who sent a signal, summoning our fellow disciples from Lin'an to our aid.

In the thick fog, the old man's cultivation intensified, a slightly trembling energy emanating from his meditation spot and spreading throughout the pavilion, causing the stone table and pillars to tremble slightly. A "crunching" sound rang out; I wondered if the old man's teeth were chattering. Suddenly, a spurt of blood shot out from the fog. I quickly dodged, but my shoulders and chest were splattered with blood. Ugh! How disgusting! This old bald thief probably knew there was an enemy attacking outside the pavilion and couldn't concentrate his cultivation, so he went into a qi deviation?

In the blink of an eye, I saw Zuo Xiaoqiong's facial muscles twitching, her face covered in what looked like earthworms crawling all over it. The chaotic flow of internal energy caused the veins and blood vessels beneath her skin to bulge, making her appearance quite frightening. A thought struck me, and suddenly, without moving from my seated position, I shifted sideways. Huh, when did I acquire this ability to move with my mind? My master said that there are countless methods in Taoist arts. Beginners often can only use spells that can be performed with internal energy. If one can move with their mind, they advance to a higher level, and many spells that require mental power, such as teleportation, can then be performed.

Sigh, why am I thinking about these things now? I hesitated for a moment in mid-air, then struck Zuo Xiaoqiong's chest and abdomen with a palm strike. Instantly, I felt the true energy within Zuo Xiaoqiong's body surge from all directions, the powerful force propelling me towards the pavilion roof. As soon as I was away from Zuo Xiaoqiong, I slashed down with my long arm. With a muffled "bang," the true energy collided, and my palm and arm felt like they were being pricked by needles. Just as I was wondering if Zuo Xiaoqiong's flesh and blood could withstand such a convergence of energy, my fingertips felt an electric shock as I felt the true energy within her body rapidly converging and flowing endlessly.

"Thank you... thank you!" Zuo Xiaoqiong had barely uttered a word when her open mouth suddenly closed.

I knew it was because of the surge of true energy, completely involuntary. Just as I breathed a sigh of relief, I suddenly felt as if iron claws were digging into my right shoulder. In the midst of the piercing pain, my true energy surged wildly, and the skin on my shoulder instantly withered and peeled. In horror, I twisted and struggled, and when I turned around, it was the old man who had reached out a hand from the thick fog to launch a surprise attack.

===

...

To the readers, I want to say thank you to those who have been asking about the whereabouts of this article for the past two years. Thank you for your attention and support; I apologize for keeping you waiting! With the current stock, I'll probably post one article a week, which should last until after the New Year 　　.

Many thanks to Brother Ai Youwen for the layout! 　　===

... 　　He threw me to the ground. In my panic, I contorted my body in several ways, shrinking into a ball of flesh one moment and springing back into a long, thin strip the next, like a struggling eel, but I couldn't escape his grip. That hand, muscular and covered in thick black hair, its shoulder and arm hidden behind the mist, revealing only a section of forearm, was like a ghostly hand reaching out from nowhere, tightly gripping me. 　　"Ah…!" My shoulder burned like fire, feeling like only bones remained in the old man's hand. I screamed in terror, "Let me go!…You…let me go!" 　　Suddenly, a flash of white light appeared, and the old man roared angrily. My shoulder lightened, and Zuo Xiaoqiong effortlessly lifted me up, leaping into the water. 　　"Splash—!" 　　The water where we landed suddenly dipped into a huge depression, and a surge of energy, like a storm, assaulted us from behind. Zuo Xiaoqiong and I suddenly sank into the water. Before we reached the bottom, a huge wave lifted us high up. I hurriedly looked back and saw the old man suspended in mid-air, his eyes flashing with malice, reaching out a bloody hand to grab us from above.

Heavens! His palm strike possessed such a terrifying suction force! Zuo Xiaoqiong and I cried out, our bodies skimming the water's surface as we shot forward. The old man chased after us, laughing wildly. His laughter gradually grew from loud to shrill, piercing our eardrums and shaking our very souls. A thought flashed through my mind, and I cried out, "Not good!" In an instant, my

inner energy flowed like a river, instantly shutting off my hearing. The world suddenly fell silent; I could hear nothing. The sound waves still made my ears vibrate slightly, but they posed no threat to my inner energy or mind. The scenery ahead suddenly zoomed in. Zuo Xiaoqiong and I were fleeing towards the spot where she had fought with the Quanzhen Taoist priests. We were about to bump into the woman we had just met, called "Qiao Niang." She quickly dodged, her lips trembling slightly as if she were calling out in alarm.

Zuo Xiaoqiong and I brushed past her, rushing into the Quanzhen Taoist priests' arrayed formation. The Quanzhen Taoists were momentarily confused, their swords flashing wildly in their bewilderment, all of which were deflected by Zuo Xiaoqiong's staff and sword.

Amidst the chaos behind us, some Quanzhen Taoists were unwittingly injured by the old man who had been relentlessly pursuing us like a ghost. The Quanzhen Taoists were immediately on high alert, their sword formation tightening.

Zuo Xiaoqiong and I, relying on our inner energy, rushed to this spot, but caught our breath and fell to the ground. Instantly, seven or eight sword lights enveloped our heads. Zuo Xiaoqiong braced herself with one hand, and with a flick of her staff and sword in the other, a strange sword flower burst forth, deflecting all the incoming swords. At that moment, the old man's outstretched arm suddenly descended from above, blood dripping from his palm, his fingers forming a claw. A powerful suction force pulled Zuo Xiaoqiong and me, our clothes and hair billowing towards his grasp.

With a "whoosh!", a corner of my robe was torn off by the old man, and simultaneously, I dragged Zuo Xiaoqiong into the ground. The old man's palm strike shifted from a pull back to a forward strike in an instant. With a deafening "Bang!", a large crater was blasted open behind me, and a burst of energy shot into the ground, chasing after my back. My back felt like it had been struck by a hammer, forcing me to burst out of the ground and rush into the air. Just then, several longswords of the Quanzhen Taoists blocked the old man's path!

From the pavilion to here, in a short period of time, we had faced life and death several times. If the old man hadn't lost his breath when he dispersed his energy, Zuo Xiaoqiong and I would probably have perished. Still shaken, my back was cold and sweating profusely. I saw the old man fighting against the Quanzhen Taoists from all directions. Wherever the old man's palm strike passed, the Quanzhen Taoists moved like startled swans, then swarmed down like bats in an instant, their advances and retreats measured and ever-changing. Although the old man stirred up the energy within a ten-foot radius around him like a whirlwind sweeping away leaves, he couldn't escape the encirclement for the time being.

Knowing that the opportunity was not to be missed, Zuo Xiaoqiong and I quietly fled. The woman glanced at me from afar but didn't stop me. She was enveloped in the whirlwind whipped up by the fighting, her clothes fluttering, her feet firmly planted on the ground. She stood timidly, and the look in her eyes gave me a vague sense of familiarity. For a moment, I was bewildered, my feet seemingly lost in a dream. Only when I heard Zuo Xiaoqiong's shout did I realize that a short Taoist priest was blocking my way a few feet away.

The priest was even shorter than Zuo Xiaoqiong, resembling a dwarf. His robes were excessively wide, making him look like a monstrous figure crawling on the ground. He often looked up as if gazing at the sky, his forehead round and prominent, his eyes gleaming with a fierce light that was impossible to look directly at. He held a long sword in his right hand, his feet firmly planted on the ground, exuding the air of a master.

Zuo Xiaoqiong shouted, "Get out of the way!" She slightly brandished her sword, as if trying to intimidate him. The short Taoist priest seemed oblivious, his ears sticking out as if he were looking for something else. When Zuo Xiaoqiong, growing impatient, unleashed several sword strikes, he stepped back slightly, flicked his left sleeve, and pointed diagonally. Zuo Xiaoqiong's thrusting staff-sword clashed and bounced against his blade with a series of melodious "ding-ding-ding-ding" sounds. The Taoist priest, taking advantage of the gaps in Zuo Xiaoqiong's swordplay, stepped forward, his astonishment clearly visible: "The Spirit River has finally produced a successor; this is truly strange!" As he spoke, his wrist subtly shifted, and his sword repeatedly struck Zuo Xiaoqiong's swift blade within the narrow confines of the room.

Zuo Xiaoqiong angrily shouted, "Hey! You shorty, why are you blocking my way?"

The short man, unfazed by Zuo Xiaoqiong's insult, stared at her intently, seemingly amused by her apparent distress.

Enraged, Zuo Xiaoqiong suddenly swung her staff and sword three times in mid-air, as if drawn by a thread. Then, she flicked the hilt with her fingertips, and the sword tip slashed through the air with a hissing sound. Upon closer inspection, Zuo Xiaoqiong's grip on the sword had shifted from solid to ethereal. My heart skipped a beat: Ah, controlling the sword with mental power!

The short Taoist priest let out a soft sigh, his eyes gleaming with excitement, and was about to counterattack when the old man surrounded by the Quanzhen Taoists suddenly unleashed his power. With screams, several Taoists were sent flying high into the air. One Taoist fell nearby, and the short Taoist priest flashed his sword, the blade gently supporting the fallen priest as he landed. The fallen priest groaned incessantly, half his arm curled up like dry grass. I turned around in surprise and saw a strong wind swirling around the old man, withered leaves slowly swirling around him, resembling the formation in the pavilion.

Suddenly, the short Taoist priest flicked his sword and shouted, "Wang Ji! Wang Ji! Do you still recognize me?!" He lowered his sword, thrusting it skyward in a single strike. Instantly, sword energy surged forth, its chilling sharpness threatening to cleave the heavens and earth in two. Zuo Xiaoqiong and I leaped aside. The sword energy cleaved through a crumbling, leaning stele, heading straight for the old man.

Hearing the shout, the old man turned. The force of the energy coursed through his body, leaving a deep mark from his forehead down to his chest and abdomen, which disappeared in a flash. The old man turned sideways, flicking his finger as if deflecting something tangible. The short Taoist priest's sword energy changed direction, darting towards the lake's surface like a thin line of lightning. The old man said, "Lu Zhijing! You short Taoist priest, what is your purpose in sending people to find me time and again?!"

This old man was actually Wang Ji, the owner of this residence? I was greatly astonished.

The short Taoist priest, Lu Zhijing, continued to flick his sword and laughed, "An old friend invited me, why are you so angry? You've injured many of my fellow disciples along the way!" With each flick of his finger, waves of energy shook the heavens and earth.

The surrounding Quanzhen Taoists had already dodged. Wang Ji slowly turned around, his head illuminated by the moonlight, his muscles and bones grotesque. He said, "Years ago, you and I plotted against Bai Yuchan. We were about to succeed, but because you coveted that so-called 'Yuanqi Jing,' you ruined everything, causing that dog of a Taoist, Bai Yuchan, to disappear without a trace. Such a fickle and despicable person, how dare you speak to me now?" Lu Zhijing's sword energy was diverted by his palm, causing many Quanzhen Taoists to scatter.

Lu Zhijing laughed, "The intricacies of this matter are well understood by your daughter. Why should I, a humble Taoist, presume to explain?" As he spoke, he sheathed his sword.

Lu Zhijing's sword aura vanished, and a sudden silence fell. The moon was setting in the west, and the array within the pavilion had long since ceased. His voice was clear and resonant, as if he had been transported from the howling winds of the wilderness back to a hall.

Wang Ji glanced at his daughter: "This family is unfortunate; further words are useless. I ask you, is it you, you wretched Taoist, who have so needlessly seized my people and abandoned our garden?"

Lu Zhijing replied, "The world is vast; where can I find you? I have resorted to this desperate measure because I have something to discuss with you. Look, what is this?" He pulled a dark object from his robes.

Wang Ji exclaimed in surprise, "This…could it be…?!"

Lu Zhijing said, "The guardian of the Potala Palace is currently in my temple."

Wang Ji's expression changed drastically. Suddenly, a woman's voice rang in my ears, urgent: "Why aren't you leaving?!"

I jolted awake. Once Wang Ji's entanglement with the Quanzhen Taoists was resolved, it would be too late to leave! Quietly pulling Zuo Xiaoqiong's hand, I whispered, "Go!"

Before we could even move, Wang Ji let out a soft cry and soared into the air, ready to give chase. But then Lu Zhijing called out, "Brother Wang Ji, where are you going?"

Before Wang Ji could answer, Lu Zhijing intercepted him mid-air. Zuo Xiaoqiong and I had already escaped several feet away. Wang Ji dodged Lu Zhijing and circled around to pursue us again.

I silently channeled my inner energy and shouted, "Rise!" A tall earthen barrier suddenly rose from the ground behind me, exceeding my expectations. The barrier continued to pile up and rise, causing the earth to shake violently behind us—a truly astonishing sight! I hadn't expected my energy to be several times greater than before!

Even so, it couldn't stop Wang Ji. The earthen barrier shook, and half of Wang Ji's bald head emerged from the ground.

Zuo Xiaoqiong turned and brandished her sword, shouting, "Aurora Sword Escape!" The sky was filled with sword shadows, like a peacock spreading its tail, the sword light sparkling like exploding halos. Wang Ji was startled and shrank back. Zuo Xiaoqiong and I slipped through the wall and fled far away. I could still almost hear Lu Zhijing's voice: "Brother Wang Ji, please wait...!"

*Pfft!*

My feet touched the ground, and I landed with Zuo Xiaoqiong. Our escape had been incredibly arduous, relying entirely on my internal energy to propel us forward, and I was panting heavily as soon as I hit the ground.

I glanced to the side and saw Zuo Xiaoqiong looking at me too. We smiled at each other, overjoyed at our narrow escape.

I wondered why the woman had helped me escape. While pondering this, I examined the wound on my shoulder. I had assumed the old man had scratched it badly in the pavilion, but there were only a few dark finger marks and some peeling skin. The injury wasn't too serious, and I breathed a sigh of relief.

I circulated my internal energy and found it much stronger than before. Unexpectedly, being trapped in the pavilion had given me a chance to develop "psychic powers." My eyes were fixed on the staff and sword beside Zuo Xiaoqiong, and I was eager to try them out. I silently chanted, but the staff and sword bounced on the ground, unable to be lifted.

"Snap—!" The staff suddenly slammed into my cheek.

Zuo Xiaoqiong chuckled, beckoning her hand to her shoulder. The staff and sword returned to their nest like birds returning to their nests, the hilt obediently resting in her palm. I then realized that Zuo Xiaoqiong had long since mastered telekinesis; she must have used it to control her sword. Otherwise, how could she strike from afar?

Zuo Xiaoqiong laughed, "Don't provoke it. It's been with me for over ten years and has already recognized me as its master. Getting stabbed by it is no joke!"

I was unwilling to give up: "Can I touch it?"

Zuo Xiaoqiong nodded. I gently touched the blade with my finger, feeling that it still seemed angry; the blade trembled slightly, as if blood and energy were flowing through it.

Zuo Xiaoqiong stood up: "Let's go!"

"Okay!" I nodded.

The two of us were worried that Wang Ji might chase us again since we weren't far away, so we didn't dare linger. After turning in many directions, we arrived at a lake. We ran along the lake for a while before stopping. The lake was bustling with boats and twinkling lanterns.

Zuo Xiaoqiong laughed, "Lin'an is densely populated. No matter how powerful Wang Ji is, he'll have a hard time finding us."

I nodded. This place was indeed different from Qingyang Mountain. Once one or two people disappeared, it was like a drop of water in the ocean—impossible to find again.

Zuo Xiaoqiong used her sword to cut the iron chain on a small boat by the lake. The boat floated into the lake, and she leaped aboard, waving to me and laughing, "Come on up! I'll take you for a ride on West Lake!"

Having just escaped death and experienced unprecedented mental anguish, my mindset had changed drastically. Before, knowing that Yun Zhenzi's lair was in this city, and with that strange and vicious Wang Ji around, I would have definitely found a place to hide far away. Now, however, I not only didn't feel afraid, but I also felt a surge of heroic spirit to fight the enemy to the end. Perhaps it was also related to my increased skill and confidence. With my mindset changed, I felt relaxed. I smiled slightly and jumped onto the small boat.

Just as we picked up the oars and started rocking the boat, a shout came from the cabin. A woman rushed out in a panic, seemingly just awakened from a dream. Her black hair was disheveled, and her clothes were pulled up in alarm. She cried out repeatedly, "Who's there? What...? Huh... what are you doing?!—Help! Someone's stealing the boat!"

Zuo Xiaoqiong and I exchanged glances, both startled: we hadn't expected someone to be sleeping in the boat!

Almost simultaneously, Zuo Xiaoqiong and I darted to the woman's left and right, intending to strike her pressure points, because her screams were too frightening and would soon attract a large crowd from the surrounding lake. Unexpectedly, the woman twisted her waist and took a half-step back, and Zuo Xiaoqiong and I both missed our target.

This woman was skilled in martial arts! No wonder she dared to spend the night alone on the boat. As I was pondering this, I saw Zuo Xiaoqiong move without hesitation, pressing close to the woman and swiftly grabbing her waist, whispering in her ear, "Can I borrow your little boat?" I don't know what technique she used to restrain the woman.

Although the woman was dressed in coarse cloth, she was quite presentable, her clear black and white eyes looking around in fear.

Zuo Xiaoqiong moved her stiff body into the cabin, laughing, "Go back to sleep, no one's going to steal your boat!"

By this time, the boat had drifted into the middle of the lake, so I simply picked up the oars again, circled the lake a few times, and after a while, I learned how to row, slowly rocking the small boat into the center of the lake.

The lake was bustling with boats, most of them like our little boat, with a small arched cabin, open at both ends, and a fixed oar at the stern, some propelled by long bamboo poles. A lantern was hung in one corner of each cabin for illumination. From afar, they looked like fireflies flickering in the night, swaying with the boats.

Some larger boats were brightly lit, adorned with lanterns bearing the owner's surname, their interiors filled with melodious music and laughter. Large boats would pass by, creating a commotion before disappearing into the distance.

I was soaking wet, and in my strange mood, the wet clothes clung to my body, feeling cool and refreshing, giving me a unique sense of fearlessness and carefree exuberance.

Zuo Xiaoqiong stood beside me, smiling, her round face bright and lively. Her right hand rested on my shoulder, water dripping from her sleeve onto my neck. I didn't pull away; after going through such hardship together, I felt an inexplicable closeness to her.

I looked around, wanting to do something to make the most of this moment. In a moment of excitement, I laughed and said, "Zuo Xiaoqiong, how about we become sworn brothers?"

Zuo Xiaoqiong's eyes lit up, and she exclaimed happily, "Really? That's wonderful! Brother, please accept my bow!" With that, she turned and knelt down.

I asked in surprise, "Why 'little brother'?"

Zuo Xiaoqiong smiled and said, "Didn't you say you wanted to become sworn brothers?"

I was taken aback, then laughed and said, "Then I'll call you Brother Qiong from now on!" Actually, I never really considered her a girl.

Zuo Xiaoqiong said, "A sworn brotherhood must be celebrated with wine!" Before she finished speaking, she leaped up, her body like a lump of mud, and clung to the deck of a nearby large ship. After a moment, she began to wriggle, then climbed over the edge and went inside.

The laughter and chatter on the ship continued as before. A little while later, Zuo Xiaoqiong, carrying a wine jar, silently emerged from the side of the ship, then darted back, her clothes tucked full of snacks to go with the wine.

Those who cultivate the Tao and practice martial arts should know as little about worldly ethics and morality as possible, so that their minds are unrestrained. Masters rarely mention this, only giving warnings when disciples leave the mountain. Zuo Xiaoqiong and I both left the mountain halfway through our cultivation, so we were penniless and took what we needed without feeling anything was wrong.

We drank heartily, finishing one jar, and then found more wine in the cabin. Before we knew it, we had drunk more than half a jar. Zuo Xiaoqiong's face was flushed: "What... what are you doing in Lin'an City?"

I hiccuped, the alcohol making my head spin: "The Quanzhen Sect destroyed my sect... I... I've come to take revenge on them!" I had come here in a very disheveled state, but the words that came out were like this.

"The Quanzhen Sect?" Zuo Xiaoqiong gripped the gunwale. "My master said that the Quanzhen Sect has been thriving in recent years, its influence spreading throughout the world, especially in the north where it has been rampant and should not be trifled with!"

"I will slaughter them without leaving a single one alive!" A surge of heat, whether from the alcohol or my own blood, suddenly filled

me with a feeling of invincibility. "I will destroy their altars and make the Quanzhen Sect... disappear forever!" "Uh...!" Zuo Xiaoqiong was drunk. She had already drunk quite a bit in the pavilion, and now she had drunk even more than me. "Then have you mastered the Nine Heavens Tribulation Crossing Sword Technique?"

"What Nine Heavens Tribulation Crossing Sword Technique?!" I no longer cared about swordsmanship.

"Master said that the Nine Heavens Tribulation Crossing Sword Technique can save all the souls of the dead with a single strike..." Zuo Xiaoqiong shook her head: "Otherwise, recklessly killing will only increase the karma of slaughter and damage my cultivation. My swordsmanship is not yet complete, and Master... Master forbids me from hurting people at will."

"I don't care! Your master can control you, but not me!" I wish a few Quanzhen Taoists would come right now and kill them to show her.

"No...you can't!" Zuo Xiaoqiong's face flushed, but her resolve remained firm. "I will definitely stop you!"

"Why are you helping that stinking Quanzhen Taoist?!" I suddenly stood up, the small boat rocking, and I swayed precariously. "You...you won't help me, but you're helping that Quanzhen Taoist?!"

I was furious and almost attacked. Zuo Xiaoqiong said, "Come...drink...drink some wine!" She picked up the wine jar, and I took it in my bowl, momentarily forgetting to settle the score with her.

After getting drunk, the two of us slept together in the cabin.

Perhaps it was the first time in my life that I had spent the night away from home, because before midnight, I suddenly woke up.

All the sounds around me were quiet, and a wisp of mist rose from the lake outside the cabin. The moonlight, like a thin veil, illuminated a corner of the cabin, making it pale and desolate. My chest and abdomen were also bathed in the moonlight, and in the light and shadow, it was as if a thin pool of water remained, shimmering and indescribable.

The boat rocked gently, drifting on the still lake. It all felt like a dream. I felt like a floating corpse, adrift on the water, endlessly, without end.

"Hiss... hiss..."

I heard Zuo Xiaoqiong's soft snoring. I turned my gaze from the hatch to the dimly lit cabin. Gradually, I recalled the ridiculous arguments we had during the night on the boat, then the escape from Qingyang Mountain, the danger at the pavilion—scenes from yesterday flooded back into my mind… Master… Third Sister-in-law… Senior Sister… Ouch… my head! I couldn't help but touch my forehead. Whether it was the increasingly clear painful memories or the lingering effects of the alcohol, a sudden, sharp pain shot through my forehead.

I shook my head, trying to shake off the stinging pain, and gently pulled my arm, which was aching from being squeezed by Zuo Xiaoqiong, away. I turned around and hugged something soft and comfortable against my cheek, the touch intoxicating. In a hazy reverie, tears unknowingly streamed down my face.

Suddenly, I felt a ripple in my arm—the thing I was hugging was moving?! I woke with a start, struggling to lift my groggy head and open my eyes. Gradually, everything in the dim light became clear. I suddenly remembered the boatwoman who had been acupunctured—she had been sleeping right next to my head! Yes, her body was curled up, her buttocks facing me…wait, I was hugging her ample buttocks!
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