After Provoking the Mad Beautiful Deity - Chapter 2

The White Jade Bed

The method of dual cultivation is a path for Dao companions to mutually enhance their cultivation techniques, similar to the intimate unions of mortals.

As the words fell, a storm of wind and rain erupted within the hall. The water in the pool swirled upward, forming a massive column that surged straight toward Yanlai. Unfazed, Yanlai raised her hand slightly, suppressing the water and slowly guiding it back into the pool. She observed the young woman before her, clad in crimson robes, with red flowers blooming at her feet. Aside from a bracelet on her wrist, she wore no other adornments. Yanlai’s gaze settled on the bracelet, and Hongchen replied candidly, “It’s a spiritual artifact, it dislikes immortal energy, it dislikes men, and today, I fear it has gained another dislike: you.”

The bracelet on Hongchen’s wrist was a deep, blood-red, faintly radiating a crimson glow. Yanlai glanced at it and remarked, “This is an artifact of the immortal realm.”

“Why not say it belongs to Phoenix Mountain? That way, you could justify stealing it more righteously,” Hongchen teased, her eyes sparkling with amusement as she looked Yanlai up and down. She sighed, “I never imagined the master of this place would be so beautiful. A pity, though, she still falls short of me. After all, I am the number one beauty of the demon realm.”

Yanlai stood tall and slender, her jet-black hair cascading over her shoulders, swaying gently in the breeze. Her gaze finally shifted from the bracelet to Hongchen’s features. “How old are you?”

“Not old at all, just ten thousand and one years,” Hongchen replied playfully, returning the question in kind. “And how old are you, exalted immortal?”

“Me?” Yanlai hesitated, her expression unchanging and indifferent. “I don’t remember.”

Hongchen was taken aback. She noticed Yanlai’s thin, tightly pressed lips cold yet enchanting and her snow-white skin, which stirred one’s heart. Lying together with her would surely aid her own recovery. She ventured further, “I don’t mind that you’re old, and you shouldn’t mind that I’m young. Let’s make do with each other.”

Yanlai lifted her eyelids slightly. The other’s lively eyes did not resemble those of a demon but rather a mischievous young fairy. She shook her head. “I am the future crown princess of the immortal realm.”

Hongchen hesitated for a moment before arguing, “I am the demon sovereign of the demon realm, equal in status to your celestial emperor. If we make do, you’ll become the demon queen, a rank higher than crown princess. Dual cultivation with me is no loss for you.”

Hearing this, Yanlai couldn’t help but ask, “Do you even know what dual cultivation means?”

“Of course, of course. It’s just dual cultivation, you’re not at a disadvantage. I promise I won’t make you take off your clothes,” Hongchen said with a light laugh, her brows raised. Her eyes reflected the stunningly beautiful immortal before her, and she sighed regretfully. “You have no idea how ugly the celestial crown prince is. His face is covered in pockmarks, rough and uneven. Have you seen those bumpy roads in the mortal realm? The crown prince’s face is just like that.”

Hongchen circled around to stand in front of the exalted immortal, a slight smile playing on her lips. She thought to herself how exquisite this future crown princess was she wasn’t losing out. Proudly lifting her chin, she showcased her alluring figure and pointed to her chest. “See? You’re not at a disadvantage here either.”

Yanlai frowned, her gaze dropping to Hongchen’s long legs, partially veiled by the red gauze that hinted at her snow-white skin. There was an elusive charm to it, especially with the flowers blooming at her feet. She asked, “What is your true form?”

“My true form? Why should I tell you?” Hongchen refused outright.

Yanlai looked up, a crimson garment materializing in her hand. She gently draped it over Hongchen. “The immortal realm is cold. Wear an extra layer.”

The garment clung to Hongchen’s form, completely concealing her long legs and even covering her feet. Hongchen exclaimed in surprise, “This robe is so soft! Where did it come from?”

“The bridal gown sent by the Celestial Realm’s Crown Prince.”

Hongchen nodded, quite satisfied. “Not bad at all. Will you come back to the Demon Palace with me?”

“No, I am not familiar with you.” Yanlai lowered her gaze. The cloud-brocade bridal gown was seamless, soft and comfortable. She said, “I gifted you this robe because I did not wish to see any unnecessary skin. I hope the Demon Lord will leave my Phoenix Mountain swiftly.”

With that, she raised her sleeve, and a gust of wind swept through, sending Hongchen directly out of Phoenix Mountain.

Hongchen was expelled from Phoenix Mountain. The red flowers at her feet steadied her, allowing her to stand firmly atop the clouds. She marveled, “Such formidable immortal power.”

She looked down at her crimson robes fluttering in the breeze. The red flowers adorning the hem shimmered under the sunlight, reflecting a golden glow, dazzling and exceptionally beautiful. She touched the fabric, glanced once more at the immortal aura shrouding Phoenix Mountain, tilted her head, and murmured, “Such a beautiful being.”

Lovely and kind-hearted, what a pity she had been tainted by the Celestial Realm.

Hongchen was very pleased. With a wave of her sleeve, she descended back into the mountains, changed her attire, and resumed the guise of a celestial attendant.

Having been there once before, she now knew the way. She glanced at the bracelet on her wrist and asked, “Why did you target her earlier?”

The bracelet gave no response. She speculated to herself, “It’s probably due to the immortal aura she carries. Alright, alright, once I complete my dual cultivation, I’ll return.”

Phoenix Mountain was bathed in radiant light, thick with auspicious clouds and immortal energy. This time, having gained experience, she tread cautiously, glancing left and right, and refrained from speaking to anyone.

After a while, as she looked around, a group of immortals descended from the sky, carrying trays. She took a glance, they were treasures. Squinting, she assessed them; they would make fine additions to the Demon Palace.

After a moment’s thought, she followed them as before. The immortals radiated a powerful aura, far surpassing that of ordinary celestial attendants.

The immortals moved as if unhindered, entering a grand hall directly. She looked up, the hall was opulently decorated, with rows of night pearls adorning the ceiling, each the size of a fist, an extravagance beyond compare. Hongchen noted that while the Demon Palace had such pearls, it did not possess so many. Phoenix Mountain was indeed a treasure trove.

She took another look as the immortals set down the trays. Her clear eyes reflected rows of treasures various immortal artifacts, flutes, and zithers. She narrowed her eyes and pocketed them all.

The immortals were astonished. She widened her eyes and giggled, “I forgot you were here. The sunlight outside is lovely, go bask in it for a while.”

She formed a hand seal, summoning a whirlwind that tossed the immortals out, planting them in the soil where they transformed into spirit trees, standing in neat rows.

Moments later, voices could be heard from outside.

“The Crown Prince has sent some treasures. Go find the High Goddess.”

“Sister, why are there more trees outside?”

“Perhaps it was the High Goddess’s doing.”

Hongchen leaped onto a beam, listening to their conversation and chuckling to herself. She counted the night pearls, casually plucked one, and tossed it into her pouch.

When the voices faded, she lay on the beam, waiting patiently for someone to arrive.

As she began to doze off, the surrounding immortal energy intensified. She focused and looked down Yanlai had arrived before her. Hongchen smiled amiably. “Have you made up your mind?”

Yanlai hovered in the air, raising her hand to channel spiritual power, her gaze cold and sharp. This time, Hongchen was prepared. She formed a hand seal, circulating her energy, and smiled radiantly.

“High Goddess, do not be afraid. I will not harm you.”

A whirlwind swept through, trapping both of them in a vortex. Hongchen, in her vibrant red robes, and Yanlai, in her flowing white attire, locked eyes. Yanlai frowned and channeled her spiritual power once more.

Hongchen said lazily, “I just killed your war god. How does your power compare to his?”

“I don’t know,” Yanlai shook her head.

Hongchen stood in mid-air, the red flowers beneath her feet suddenly rippling with a crimson light that enveloped her like a solid barrier. Yanlai was astonished, “What exactly are you? Since when did the demon realm allow a flower demon to reign supreme?”

“Can a flower demon not reign supreme? Whoever wins becomes the ruler.” Hongchen said proudly, laughing lightly as she flashed in front of Yanlai, the red light wrapping around her.

Yanlai withdrew her spiritual power, and the red light intensified. She frowned, and a white jade bed immediately appeared beside her feet. As the red light dissipated, the two landed on the jade bed.

Dressed in white, Yanlai sat cross-legged and looked at Hongchen. “Half-demon, half-immortal.”

“Do you know how demons cultivate?” Hongchen also sat down, lying on her side, her jade-like legs swaying gently. She smiled enchantingly, “By seizing the spiritual power of you immortals and transforming it into demonic energy. I just killed your war god, all his immortal power is now within me.”

One sat upright, her back straight, while the other lounged carelessly, her ankles swaying playfully in front of Yanlai. “You could always give me another piece of clothing.”

Yanlai did not respond. The girl’s demeanor was vastly different from the rumors of the demon realm’s ruler, a merciless, ferocious killer. Were the rumors wrong, or had the demon lord changed her appearance?

Yanlai focused, forming a hand seal, and attacked Hongchen again, attempting to tear away her disguise.

Hongchen blinked, and the bracelet on her wrist flew out, directly severing the sword formed by Yanlai’s spiritual power. Hongchen giggled, “I can’t defeat you, and you can’t kill me. We’re perfectly suited to become cultivation partners.”

She laughed playfully, her eyes sparkling with mischief, especially those slightly upturned ones, radiating unrestrained beauty there was no trace of ferocity to be seen.

Yanlai withdrew her spiritual power, her gaze calm and steady, slowly resting on those ankles. In an instant, a layer of white gauze appeared over her eyes.

If she couldn’t control others, she could at least control herself.

Hongchen widened her eyes. She had to admit, Yanlai’s aura was stunning, her demeanor composed. Tsk, tsk, tsk she reached out to remove the white gauze, but Yanlai raised her hand to avoid it. Hongchen shrank back, promptly withdrawing her hand to avoid another fight.

“Why do you want me as your cultivation partner?” Yanlai closed her eyes.

“I don’t know. I’ll ask the demon physician when I return home. He said he’d teach me the dual cultivation method when I get back.” Hongchen sighed. “Do you understand it?”

“You don’t?” Even the calm and composed Yanlai was startled into opening her eyes. The white gauze over them naturally vanished as she asked, puzzled, “You’ve lived for ten thousand years and never had a cultivation partner?”

As she removed the gauze, Hongchen flashed in front of her, their noses touching, breaths mingling, the fragrance thick in the air.

“I’ve never been injured, so why would I need a cultivation partner?” Hongchen said dismissively. “It was only after your war god died that I got injured. See, even your immortal realm isn’t that great.”

Yanlai frowned. “You seek dual cultivation with me to heal your injuries?”

She was finally angered. Hongchen, frightened, stood up. The cold of the jade bed seeped into the soles of her feet as she said fearfully, “Why are you angry? You’re so beautiful fair face, slender waist, long legs. Your chest is a bit small, but it’s fine, I don’t mind. Think about it, where else would you find a girl as pretty as me?”

She racked her brains for some sweet talk. “Mortals often say lovers are the moon in their hearts. You are the second moon in mine.”

“What was your first moon?” Yanlai, her head aching from the disturbance, blurted out without thinking.

“My demon clan,” Hongchen replied, looking down at the beauty on the bed. Her toes curled involuntarily as she leaned closer, meeting Yanlai’s unsteady gaze. “See, you’re sharing a bed with me, yet you haven’t tried to kill me. That must mean you still like me.”