Inside the Jade Bamboo Lodge.
With Li Yan dragged away and Yang Tianming gone, the clamor and the metallic scent of blood from moments before seemed to gradually dissipate, leaving behind only an eerie stillness.
Zhao Yanran pinched a quick seal with her fingertips, casting a simple Dust Cleansing Art.
A faint glow rippled outward, brushing away the few specks of blood and dust that had accidentally stained the hem of her skirt, restoring her to that immaculate, delicately beautiful appearance.
She glided forward on light steps toward Lin Yang, who still stood in place, and reached out on her own initiative, gently taking hold of his slightly cool fingers.
"Senior Brother Lin,"
her voice was soft and alluring, carrying a trace of entreaty,
"I was frightened just now and my heart is still unsettled. I would love to hear Senior Brother play the Mind-Stilling Vitality Cultivation Melody once more — would that be all right? Listening to Senior Brother's music truly helps my cultivation advance a little."
Lin Yang glanced down at the hand she had taken, then looked up into her wide, expectant eyes. The customary, subtly feminine smile at the corner of his mouth seemed to deepen ever so slightly.
He neither pulled his hand away nor agreed at once, only saying lightly:
"That melody requires pure spiritual energy to drive the strings, combined with a special musical cadence. It is no small drain on one's mind and spirit."
Zhao Yanran quickly replied:
"That is precisely what makes it so precious. Senior Brother~"
She gave his arm a gentle shake, her tone thoroughly coaxing.
Lin Yang was silent for a short while, then finally nodded:
"Very well."
He returned to his seat behind the zither table, while Zhao Yanran settled obediently on a nearby cushioned stool, the picture of an attentive listener.
Lin Yang steadied his breath and focused his mind, his fingertips descending once more onto the strings.
This time the melody was utterly unlike the sharp, killing edge or the deep, unfathomable quality of what he had played before.
The notes were gentle and unhurried, like a clear mountain spring flowing over stones, or moonlight filtering down through a pine forest.
Strand after strand of pure spiritual energy undulated with the music, slowly coiling around Zhao Yanran and seeping naturally into her body.
Zhao Yanran closed her eyes and drove the Jade Ripple Art with full force.
She could indeed feel the spiritual energy within her grow unusually active, her cultivation speed noticeably faster than on ordinary days — a secret delight bloomed in her heart.
The piece came to an end, its lingering notes fading slowly into silence.
Zhao Yanran opened her beautiful eyes, the joy in them even more pronounced.
She rose and walked to Lin Yang's side again, her voice growing softer still:
"Senior Brother, it is quiet upstairs — shall we go up and talk a while longer?"
Her gaze drifted meaningfully, the suggestion unmistakable.
Lin Yang looked at her without committing either way, yet he rose all the same and followed her up to the boudoir on the second floor.
The door clicked softly shut.
Zhao Yanran gazed at Lin Yang, her tone full of longing:
"If I could hear Senior Brother's melody every single day, I am certain my cultivation would advance by leaps and bounds."
Lin Yang raised an eyebrow:
"Why has Junior Sister suddenly grown so eager to improve her cultivation?"
A flicker of worry and fear appeared on Zhao Yanran's face at just the right moment:
"Naturally, it is for my own protection. Today it was Senior Brother Li… if something similar were to happen again tomorrow, Yanran would be utterly helpless — would I not be at anyone's mercy?"
She spoke with a pitiful, forlorn air.
Lin Yang heard this and let out a soft laugh, his tone carrying a hint of mockery:
"Li Yan? His qi sea has been destroyed — he is no different from an ordinary mortal. That kick Senior Brother Yang delivered in his fury earlier likely shattered the very foundation of his manhood as well. A man who is thoroughly ruined — how could he possibly trouble you again?"
"What?"
Zhao Yanran covered her mouth in a startled cry, her face showing precisely the right measure of shock and reluctance.
"Senior Brother Yang… why did he strike so viciously? I… I was only frightened — I never wanted Senior Brother Li to end up in such a state…"
The rims of her eyes reddened, as though tears might fall at any moment.
The smile on Lin Yang's face grew more pronounced. Those long, narrow eyes of his seemed capable of seeing through a person's very soul as he said unhurriedly:
"Junior Sister was standing right there watching. Surely… you knew?"
Zhao Yanran felt a pang of guilt under his gaze and quickly lowered her head, avoiding those eyes that seemed to see through everything.
Lin Yang did not press the matter further, and instead said:
"Even so, the Mind-Stilling Vitality Cultivation Melody, fine as it is, drains the performer's vital essence considerably. Playing it every day would likely harm my own cultivation."
At these words, Zhao Yanran suddenly stepped forward, wrapped both arms lightly around Lin Yang's waist, and pressed her cheek against his chest, nuzzling gently.
Her voice was sweet enough to drip honey:
This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.
"If Senior Brother strains his vital essence, Yanran… Yanran can slowly replenish it for you…"
As she spoke, she rose onto her tiptoes and pressed her red lips toward his.
In a fleeting moment just before their lips met, a faint, barely perceptible glint of cold mockery flashed through Lin Yang's eyes.
He did not pull away — instead, he parted his lips ever so slightly.
A thread of pink mist, so fine it was nearly invisible, passed soundlessly into Zhao Yanran's mouth.
Zhao Yanran's body went rigid in an instant. Her eyes glazed over with a dreamy, disoriented look, and the arms she had wrapped around Lin Yang went limp.
All strength seemed to drain from her at once, and she toppled softly backward, landing squarely on the plush bed.
Her cheeks flushed crimson, she stared blankly up at the canopy overhead, murmuring incoherently.
She had clearly fallen into some kind of bewitched state.
At that moment, the expression on Lin Yang's face quietly shifted.
The customary feminine smile faded away.
In its place was a cold, detached amusement — the look of someone gazing down at prey from a great height.
He stood silently at the bedside, watching Zhao Yanran in her dazed stupor.
Then Zhao Yanran began to stir unconsciously, her red lips parting and closing as she murmured in broken fragments:
"Chen Yang… Chen Yang… husband…"
Lin Yang gave a slight start, then, as though he had heard something utterly fascinating, murmured to himself in a low voice:
"Why is it always this name? How curious. She has inner disciples like Yang Tianming and Li Yan at her side, yet the one she holds closest in her heart is that husband from the mortal world? What is so special about this Chen Yang…?"
He stroked his chin, recalling the scene of Chen Yang's advancement trial the day before, his eyes filled with probing curiosity.
He turned away from Zhao Yanran on the bed and walked to the dressing table, taking a seat before it.
The bronze mirror reflected his somewhat androgynously handsome face.
He drew from his sleeve a fine silk handkerchief of excellent quality, embroidered with delicate hidden patterns, and with an elegant motion, lightly dabbed at his own lips.
As though wiping away some nonexistent trace.
Then, with considerable interest, he began to examine Zhao Yanran's dressing table.
He occasionally opened a box of rouge or a jar of fragrant powder, brought it to his nose for a light sniff, and a knowing glint would pass through his eyes.
"Tsk — Junior Sister Zhao does have a fine eye for things. This Butterfly's Longing Fragrance Powder has a rich, lasting scent — most captivating. And this Intoxicating Rouge, with its bewitching color, can make one's face bloom like a peach blossom and set the heart fluttering… She truly… knows how to make the most of her assets."
He murmured his assessment in a low voice, his tone unreadable — neither praise nor mockery.
He gazed at his own reflection in the mirror and suddenly began to hum softly, a lilting, winding melody:
"Sharing dreams at night, sharing makeup at dawn — in the mirror, two blossoms bloom side by side…"
After two lines, he shook his head and laughed at himself, as though he found the whole thing rather amusing yet also faintly self-deprecating.
At that moment, his gaze drifted to the window, where the flock of crows was still circling nearby.
He extended a finger and gave a light beckoning gesture toward the window.
One crow, slightly larger than the rest with especially bright, alert eyes, immediately broke from the flock, slipped soundlessly through the restriction, and flew in, landing steadily in his palm.
Lin Yang stroked the crow's feathers gently, then paused — he noticed a small patch of feathers missing at the base of one wing, revealing a faint wound.
"Huiyu, how did you get hurt?"
Lin Yang's tone grew slightly grave.
The crow named Huiyu tilted its head and let out a low, hoarse cry, as though conveying some message.
Lin Yang's brow furrowed:
"You went to the main peak of Qingyun Peak? And tried to approach Ouyang Hua's place of seclusion? Outrageous!"
His tone took on a rare sternness.
"The Verdant Wood Sect may be a minor sect, but Ouyang Hua is a genuine Core Formation cultivator — his cultivation has reached the Mid Core Condensation Stage, perhaps even beyond! You have not yet taken human form. No matter how refined your concealment arts, how could you be so careless as to approach the cave dwelling of such a being?"
Huiyu lowered its head and used its beak to preen the injured feathers, letting out a few aggrieved, low cries.
Lin Yang let out a sigh, his tone softening somewhat:
"Is everything well with the clan? Is Elder Brother… still looking for me?"
Huiyu nodded.
Lin Yang's eyes flickered. He was silent for a short while, then shook his head with resolve:
"Wait a little longer. The matter of the Feathered Ascension True Blood is of the utmost importance — I must find a definitive lead or opportunity before I can return. Otherwise, all my efforts will have been for nothing."
Just then, Zhao Yanran on the bed let out a faint whimper, showing signs of waking.
Lin Yang said to Huiyu:
"Go back for now. Tell the others to behave themselves — without my orders, they must not rashly investigate the residence of any Core Formation cultivator again."
Huiyu nodded, spread its wings, and flew out through the window, leading the flock of crows outside. They became a dark cloud and flew away into the distance.
Jade Bamboo Peak finally returned to its usual tranquility.
Lin Yang strode quickly to the bedside, shed his outer robe with swift efficiency, and lay down in his inner garment, gently drawing the stirring Zhao Yanran into his arms.
Zhao Yanran's lashes fluttered as she slowly opened her eyes, still carrying a trace of haziness, but clarity returned quickly.
Finding herself cradled in Lin Yang's arms, she first blinked in surprise, then a flush of rosy color rose to her cheeks. She leaned against his chest compliantly, her voice barely above a whisper:
"Senior Brother Lin… just now… were you satisfied?"
Lin Yang's face instantly resumed that soft, feminine smile. He stroked her hair gently, his tone suggestive:
"Satisfied, of course I am satisfied. Junior Sister is enchanting — utterly intoxicating."
Zhao Yanran was secretly delighted and pressed her advantage:
"Then… next time, will Senior Brother play the Mind-Stilling Vitality Cultivation Melody for Yanran again?"
Lin Yang smiled:
"Of course, of course."
He lingered tenderly for a short while, then rose and dressed:
"It is getting late — I should be heading back."
Zhao Yanran showed reluctance:
"Will Senior Brother not stay the night? Yanran still has some questions about cultivation she would like to ask…"
Lin Yang shook his head. Once fully dressed, he thought for a moment, then — mimicking Yang Tianming's forehead kiss but choosing a different spot — leaned down and pressed a kiss to Zhao Yanran's cheek before turning and leaving.
Walking out of the Jade Bamboo Lodge, the smile on Lin Yang's face quickly faded.
He glanced back at the elegant pavilion, and what rose in his mind was the image of Chen Yang on the plaza — at the fifth level of the Qi Refinement Realm, ruthlessly crippling Li Yan with those cold, resolute eyes.
"Chen Yang…"
He murmured the name softly. A deep, keen interest flashed through his eyes, and then he became a streak of green shadow and vanished at the far end of the mountain path.
* * *
Time passed, and several days went by in the blink of an eye.
Below Qingyun Peak.
Beside Chen Yang's new dwelling, two smaller but equally tidy rooms had been added.
Liu Yiyi and Xiaochunhua were settled there.
Though these rooms were far more modest than the independent pavilions of the inner disciples, compared to the drafty, leaking thatched huts they had lived in back in Butterfly Valley, the difference was like heaven and earth.
Most importantly, the spiritual energy here was far richer than in the laborer quarters, which was greatly beneficial to their cultivation.
Chen Yang had told Liu Yiyi that his cultivation had already reached the sixth level of the Qi Refinement Realm, and his need for ordinary food had greatly diminished — he was nearly in a state of Inedia — so there was no need for her to prepare meals for him every day.
But Liu Yiyi seemed to enjoy it all the same, and continued to bring over delicate pastries every day.
"Brother Chen, even if you don't need to eat proper meals, it's still nice to have a little snack. These are osmanthus cakes I just learned to make — won't you try one?"
Liu Yiyi always smiled in that gentle way of hers, setting plate after plate of dainty little treats in front of Chen Yang.
Chen Yang could not refuse her, and since the cakes were genuinely fragrant and sweet, he ended up eating quite a few.
Xiaochunhua would stand to the side, giggling to herself, her eyes darting back and forth between Chen Yang and Liu Yiyi — which often made Liu Yiyi blush and scold her with mock annoyance.
The peaceful days passed quickly.
On this particular day, the time had come for Chen Yang to visit the Cultivation Technique Pavilion and select a cultivation technique.
His heart was full of anticipation.
The Nine Revolutions Body Tempering Art was powerful, to be sure, but it was ultimately a Body Tempering technique. What he lacked now were sufficient offensive spell techniques and means of dealing with enemies.
The Cultivation Technique Pavilion would be the place where he truly filled those gaps.
Early morning.
He carefully straightened his robes, safely tucked away his inner disciple jade token, bid farewell to Liu Yiyi and Xiaochunhua, and set off alone toward the Cultivation Technique Pavilion situated halfway up Qingyun Peak.
The bluestone steps wound upward, mist curling all around, the spiritual energy growing ever denser.
Along the way he could see many inner and outer disciples moving with purpose — some lost in solitary thought, others discussing the Dao in pairs or small groups.
Chen Yang drew a deep breath and quickened his pace.