Forcing the Aloof Master to Madness - Chapter 56

Shen Lezhi stared at the teardrop trembling on Wang Xi’s eye corner. As if utterly bewitched, she leaned in and lightly kissed the tear away.

The single tear Wang Xi shed made Shen Lezhi lose all patience for waiting any longer. She pulled Wang Xi down onto her, and, mimicking Wang Xi’s past method, she entered her spiritual core, urgently entangling her consciousness with Wang Xi’s.

It took only a few breaths to reach a state of extreme excitement.

Shen Lezhi’s earlier, strenuous endurance had now completely collapsed. She let out soft moans, and the sight of Wang Xi’s flushed eyes burned straight into her heart.

The immortal’s fragmented, broken appearance made it impossible for Shen Lezhi to restrain herself any further.

Within her mind, Wang Xi’s consciousness was wilder than ever, so frantic that it was utterly chaotic, rushing and crashing without any control.

The synaesthesia afforded by their dual cultivation technique plunged both of them into double the intensity of pleasure.

Coupled with the effect of the Joy Flower, Wang Xi’s loss of control only became more intense. In the end, she couldn’t care less about restraining her spiritual power, her mind filled only with desire.

Again and again they continued. Finally, Shen Lezhi was too exhausted to continue controlling Wang Xi, but how could someone lost in the Joy Flower’s effects sober up so easily?

Wang Xi lowered her gaze to look at Shen Lezhi beneath her, the fiery red at her eye corners startlingly vivid.

After Shen Lezhi finally paused for a brief moment, Wang Xi, who was still in a state of excitement, had no intention of letting it end. She leaned down and bit Shen Lezhi’s lip, her voice excessively hoarse. “Lezhi, how can the Joy Flower pill be taken only by me?”

She endured the demanding excitement within her body, tempting Shen Lezhi to also consume the bone-corroding drug.

Shen Lezhi was already muddle-headed. Although she knew in her heart that taking the pill might lead to the loss of her soul, Wang Xi was caressing her, kissing her, and entangling her consciousness.

The constant seduction, emanating a captivating fragrance, prevented her from thinking clearly. She only wanted to comply with the other woman’s request.

She gazed at Wang Xi with utter adoration, retrieved the Joy Flower pill, and swallowed one herself.

This pill’s effect was even stronger on her than on Wang Xi, because the moment she took it, Wang Xi’s consciousness aggressively invaded, causing her meridians and body to metabolize the drug’s effects even faster.

Before Shen Lezhi could fully adjust, a tingling, numbing itch arose throughout her entire body.

It was so intensely itchy that she felt she instantly dissolved into water. Any movement by Wang Xi’s consciousness within her spiritual core made her extremely sensitive.

She was pressed down onto the wooden chair by Wang Xi, their bodies clinging tightly with no space between them.

She heard their mingled voices by her ear. As her consciousness drifted away, she vaguely wondered, How long will this last this time?

Shen Lezhi couldn’t know then that the continuously escalating effects of the Joy Flower had already made it impossible for her to think of anything else.

There was no cycle of day and night here, and the passage of time was extremely vague. Shen Lezhi only kept track by the number of times Wang Xi would endlessly supply her with spiritual power to restore her after her body reached the point of utter exhaustion.

She initially managed to count, but later she completely lost track.

There were simply too many times.

When they finally stopped, Shen Lezhi was held tightly by Wang Xi and inwardly sighed at the terrifying physical resilience of cultivators.

This was because she heard the Soul Cry Silk, the spiritual weapon, finally cry out in exasperation, “You big demon! You’ve occupied Master for seven days!”

Shen Lezhi, who hadn’t been rendered unconscious, nearly fainted upon hearing this.

Seven days and seven nights!

She looked up at Wang Xi. The flush around the other woman’s brows and eyes had not yet faded, and the desire in the corner of her eyes was not completely suppressed.

Wang Xi tenderly stroked Shen Lezhi’s cheek. It was likely because Shen Lezhi’s current cultivation base was low, and repeatedly forcing the restoration of her meridians would cause damage, that she finally had to stop.

If Shen Lezhi had heard that reason, she would probably wish she never advanced in cultivation for the rest of her life.

Following this, Shen Lezhi and Wang Xi remained in the Forbidden Land to cultivate. Through dual cultivation and isolated practice, Shen Lezhi found that Wang Xi truly hadn’t lied to her; their combined practice was indeed much faster than ordinary cultivation methods.

The prerequisite, of course, was serious, ordinary dual cultivation.

When their consciousnesses merged, traversing each other’s meridians together and cycling their energies, it felt more comfortable for Shen Lezhi than meditating alone on a normal day.

And with their interconnected Exquisite Hearts, the speed of energy circulation was astonishing.

Wang Xi also imparted the remainder of the Jade Void Sword Art to Shen Lezhi, and the latter also learned from Aunt Hua how to control the Divine Wood Spirit Root within her body.

She cultivated even more diligently than before, determined not to be a burden to Wang Xi after leaving this place.

Shen Lezhi was inherently intelligent when it came to learning, and with Wang Xi dual cultivating with her, the speed of her progress astonished even Aunt Hua. The Divine Wood Clan had never produced such a peerless genius.

Well, the Divine Wood Clan also didn’t have a world-treasure Exquisite Heart accompanying them in dual cultivation every day, Shen Lezhi couldn’t help but complain internally upon hearing that remark.

The main reason was that she couldn’t resist getting entangled with Wang Xi again, followed by another period of intense bliss where she completely lost track of time.

However, the most astonishing was still Wang Xi’s cultivation speed.

This was the opportunity accumulated by the Exquisite Heart over tens of thousands of years, all manifesting in Wang Xi’s body.

She had reached the Void Return stage in five hundred years, but her cultivation had dropped when she carved out her heart for Shen Lezhi, and because she lost half of the Exquisite Heart, it became difficult to restore her former cultivation speed.

But the current dual cultivation made Wang Xi’s progress yield twice the result with half the effort, even faster than her first five hundred years.

They lost track of how many days and months passed until Wang Xi broke through once more. The ensuing Lightning Tribulation was so powerful that even the Forbidden Land’s restrictive formation could not contain it.

“Fellow Daoist, could you tell me the way up to Mount Jade Void Sect?” At the foot of Mount Jade Void, a young female cultivator wearing an ornate hairpin saw two people in front of her dressed in Jade Void Sect robes and quickly stepped forward to ask.

She was a minor cultivator from a small sect. The Quad-Sect Grand Tournament, held every thirty years, was about to begin, and she wanted to join the excitement. However, she had never been to the Jade Void Sect and, having reached the foot of the mountain, couldn’t even find the path up.

The two female cultivators dressed in Jade Void Sect robes turned around. One was gentle and mild-mannered, the other bright and beautiful.

They wore blue-and-white Daoist robes, possessing the air of immortal beings with their noble demeanor.

The junior cultivator felt a bit ashamed, regretting her rash approach to disturb the two immortals.

However, the two Jade Void Sect female cultivators were gentle. The more mild-mannered one pointed at the marker on the mountain peak and softly replied, “You must be here to observe the Grand Tournament. Fly your sword toward that spot; there are people dedicated to receiving guests there.”

“Thank you, thank you.” The junior cultivator quickly offered her thanks, not daring to look directly at them again. She hastily formed a hand seal, rode her sword, and departed.

This left the two Jade Void Sect female cultivators surprised.

“Are… are we terrifying?” the bright-eyed, beautiful female cultivator asked, pointing to herself with slight hesitation.

The other female cultivator did not answer, but merely looked down and smiled lightly, then also rose on her sword and softly said, “Disciple-Sister Hua, let us return as well.”

“Alright.” The bright-eyed, beautiful female cultivator immediately agreed.

These two were none other than Disciple-Sister Yun Sha and Hua Man.

The two quickly returned to Talisman Peak and entered Feng Nianzheng’s cave dwelling. They respectfully bowed to Feng Nianzheng, who was seated cross-legged in the front, and said, “Master, your disciple and Disciple-Sister Hua have gathered the Snow Wind Flower.”

With that, Disciple-Sister Yun Sha produced a flower faintly glowing with white light from her storage ring and presented it to Feng Nianzheng.

She and Hua Man had been instructed to descend the mountain to gather this Snow Wind Flower, a crucial ingredient Feng Nianzheng needed for a Protective Talisman she was refining for Disciple-Sister Yun Sha’s breakthrough to the Golden Core stage.

Feng Nianzheng first placed the Snow Wind Flower into her storage ring and then casually inquired about how Disciple-Sister Yun Sha and Hua Man were preparing for the Grand Tournament.

“Your disciple feels ready and is determined to win the top spot this time. I will not repeat the mistake of thirty years ago,” Disciple-Sister Yun Sha replied with downcast eyes.

The Quad-Sect Grand Tournament is held every thirty years, and cultivators below the Golden Core stage from all four major sects can participate. During the last tournament, Disciple-Sister Yun Sha, anxious that Shen Lezhi had entered the Forbidden Land and her life was unknown—waiting for months without seeing her or Immortal Jiyue emerge—could not keep her mind steady.

She was eliminated early in the subsequent Grand Tournament.

“Thirty years have passed, indeed…” Feng Nianzheng looked up at Yun Sha. Her disciple was about to form her Core, and thirty years had passed in the blink of an eye.

Yet, Jiyue and Shen Lezhi have never emerged from the Forbidden Land.

She did not even know if they were alive or dead, but cultivators have long lifespans, and she would eventually see the two again, especially since the Sect Master had never stopped trying to break the Forbidden Land’s formation.

Currently, three elders were still seated at the entrance to the Forbidden Land, continuously channeling their spiritual power to break the formation.

Although the Sect Master had concealed the location of that Forbidden Land, Feng Nianzheng had secretly gone to investigate.

“Yes, thirty years have passed.” Disciple-Sister Yun Sha concealed her emotions. Over these thirty years, she never felt she had done anything wrong, yet she occasionally wondered: If I had kept Shen Lezhi in Maple Remnant City then, would the outcome have been different?

But these thoughts could no longer be proven. Disciple-Sister Yun Sha was also fully aware that if she were transported back to that moment, she would likely make the same decision.

After all, Shen Lezhi was such a resolute person, and the conviction in her eyes allowed for no refusal from Disciple-Sister Yun Sha.

The next day, the Grand Tournament finally commenced. The four Sect Masters of the major sects stood on the high platform, their presence immensely imposing.

This was the liveliest time for the Jade Void Sect every thirty years. With a massive gong strike, amplified by spiritual power, the Grand Tournament was officially declared open.

The sound was deafening, heard even at the foot of Mount Jade Void. Cultivators who knew what to expect had already used spiritual power to block their ears, but those who were here for the first time were left dizzy and dazed by the shock.

However, this was just an ordinary gong sound, and cultivators would recover quickly after a short rest.

Disciple-Sister Yun Sha was long accustomed to it and did not block her ears, only slightly obstructing the sound with spiritual power.

The sound of the gong softened, no longer piercing. Yet, as this sound rang out, she suddenly raised her head, as she seemed to have heard another sound.

She was not the only one; several other cultivators also heard it.

There were several thunderclaps mixed within the gong sound!

Disciple-Sister Yun Sha’s heart pounded like thunder, and she abruptly thought of something, immediately looking in Feng Nianzheng’s direction.

She saw Feng Nianzheng lift her head, staring toward the direction of the Jade Void Sect’s Forbidden Land.

And in a moment, the originally clear sky suddenly darkened as large patches of black clouds gathered. The clouds pressed down directly over the entire Jade Void Sect. This sudden, strange phenomenon immediately caused panic and unrest among the people.

Within the black clouds, thunder rumbled and lightning flashed, hinting that a terrifying bolt of heavenly thunder was about to descend.

“Which great master is breaking through?”

“Such an astonishing presence! Could it be that person from the Jade Void Sect?”

“Which person? These clouds have covered the entire Jade Void Sect! This level of cultivation must be close to ascending to Immortality.”

“Where did this junior cultivator come from? Don’t they even know about Immortal Jiyue, the foremost person in the world today?”

The crowd was already engaged in lively discussion. The Jade Void Sect Master looked at the black clouds, a strong sense of unease rising in her heart.

“Is this caused by Immortal Jiyue? Given the intensity of the thunder, perhaps we should first have the disciples evacuate the mountain. If a Lightning Tribulation truly descends, none of these juniors will survive,” said Dean Zhuxin of the Roaming Scholar Academy, his brow furrowed.

The others also agreed. The Sect Master’s primary concern at the moment was to investigate the Forbidden Land, so she naturally did not object.

“I will go investigate first. I leave the rest to you all.” The Sect Master said, preparing to leave.

But before she could fly on her sword, the thunder in the sky suddenly stopped, and the oppressive black clouds dispersed in an instant.

This strange sight intensified the crowd’s discussions as they offered various speculations.

Did Immortal Jiyue fail her tribulation?

But the Lightning Tribulation hasn’t even struck yet.

Feng Nianzheng’s eyelids also twitched upon seeing this situation, and her fingertips began to tremble uncontrollably.

Could Jiyue truly have…?

She dared not think further. She glimpsed the Sect Master flying away from the high platform and, lowering her eyes, immediately left the area as well.

The Sect Master would not relax her vigilance just because the black clouds had vanished. The Exquisite Heart is a heavenly treasure and naturally possesses methods to avoid the Lightning Tribulation.

In the past, Wang Xi’s breakthroughs had never involved a terrifying Lightning Tribulation. Her speed of cultivation surpassed that of ordinary people, a result of the Exquisite Heart’s preparation over tens of thousands of years. It was impossible for her to undergo the same life-or-death tribulation as a common cultivator.

The Sect Master rushed toward the Forbidden Land. She contacted the three elders still guarding the area via sound transmission but received no response.

A sense of foreboding rose in the Sect Master’s heart. She immediately concealed her presence, no longer flying openly, but slowly approaching the Forbidden Land.

She was already within ten zhang (about 33 meters) of the Forbidden Land’s entrance and proceeded with even greater caution, her brows tightly furrowed.

She suddenly stopped, her eyes slightly narrowed, as she had caught a strong scent of blood.

The Sect Master extended her spiritual senses to look at the entrance to the Forbidden Land and was instantly shocked.

She saw the breeze lifting the robes of the three elders. Bright red blood had soaked their blue-and-white Daoist robes, and the entrance to the Forbidden Land was stained with their blood.

The three of them had been decapitated, killed in a gruesome manner.

There were few signs of a struggle nearby. It was as if all three had their heads sliced off by a single blow, instantly silenced.

The Sect Master was terrified. There was no one else there. She knew Wang Xi had already emerged.

However, the Sect Master could tell that, based on Wang Xi’s strength, one blow would have been enough to shatter the meridians of the three elders. There was no need to slice off their heads.

This was an expression of hatred.

The Sect Master’s heart pounded like thunder. She dared not approach any closer and left with extreme caution, fearing that Wang Xi was nearby and would discover her.

She did not return to the competition grounds but went to the main hall of the Jade Void Sect. She walked anxiously down the dark passage behind the main hall.

This secret passage was narrow and dark, with the stone walls on both sides carved with spirit-sealing incantations. Anyone who entered here would have their spiritual power completely restricted.

The Sect Master walked down for a full hour before finally reaching a bronze door.

The door was eight chi (about 2.6 meters) high, with two Qilin carved on it. The Sect Master slowly pushed the door open. The inside was extremely dark, and a massive wave of evil thoughts and deathly aura rushed out.

In the center, a stone statue was placed. Surrounding the statue was a bottomless deep pool, but the pool held not clear water, but a blood-red, golden-glowing mass of flesh.

The Sect Master walked into the room. The blood-red flesh was still pulsing, wrapped around the central statue. The flesh was like human meridians, thin strands extending and spreading across the surface of the statue.

The statue was carved lifelike, bearing the likeness of a woman.

The Sect Master knelt before the statue, heavily kowtowing, her voice trembling uncontrollably: “Original Ancestor, the Exquisite Heart can no longer be controlled! I beg the Original Ancestor for guidance on how to respond!”

After speaking, she looked up at the statue’s face, the terror in her eyes twisting her features beyond recognition.

Under the Sect Master’s gaze, the statue’s still eyeballs suddenly began to turn. As the grinding of the eyeballs produced a harsh, grating sound, the Sect Master’s breathing nearly stopped, and she instinctively trembled with fear.

Finally, the eyeballs stopped in the Sect Master’s direction, staring intently at her.