Chapter 41

This was a “dungeon” embedded deep within the mountain.

Out of the tiger’s den and straight into the wolf’s jaws—Ye Zhenzhen and Lin Mengxian had been imprisoned here for several days.

Lin Mengxian lay on her side on the bed, coughing softly. Ye Zhenzhen sat cross-legged, her face ashen.

In truth, they hadn’t been mistreated. On the contrary, the room was decorated rather neatly and comfortably. The guards brought fresh food daily, and even their spiritual energy wasn’t restricted. Aside from not being able to leave, the treatment didn’t seem too bad.

That was, if it weren’t for the other cauldrons in the neighboring rooms going “Mmm… ahhh…” every single day.

“Mmm… ahhh…”

Here we go again. The room a few doors down started up again. A cultivator’s hearing was acute; if she could afford to let her guard down, Ye Zhenzhen would have loved to seal her own hearing!

Lin Mengxian turned over on the bed. She hadn’t rested properly for days either. Her palm-sized little face was growing thinner, marked by two dark circles under her eyes.

“Senior Sister Ye, why don’t we split up guard duty?”

If this continued, even cultivators wouldn’t be able to take it.

Ye Zhenzhen, wishing desperately she could just seal her hearing immediately, agreed at once: “Alright. Then I’ll trouble Junior Sister to take the first watch.”

“Mhm.”

Just then, as the two were planning for one to rest and the other to keep watch, the thin wooden door was suddenly pounded loudly.

The two exchanged a glance, each seeing the worry in the other’s eyes. This was the first time since they’d been locked up here that they’d encountered such a rough knock.

They didn’t know what was happening outside to make the guards’ attitude toward them change so drastically.

Lin Mengxian, afraid that Ye Zhenzhen’s explosive temper would cause trouble, reached out to stop her. She got off the bed herself, arranged a polite smile, walked to the door, and pulled it open: “This doesn’t seem to be meal time. I wonder why you’ve come, Sister?”

The guard looked Lin Mengxian over from head to toe as if inspecting merchandise, then stepped back to reveal a woman in green behind her: “Sister Bi He, there’s an even better one inside.”

The green-clad female cultivator called Bi He had already reached the Golden Core stage. She tilted her head to glance inside, then looked at Lin Mengxian, smiling: “This one is also not bad.”

“May I ask what business this Senior has?” A bad premonition arose in Lin Mengxian’s heart.

Bi He walked gracefully into the room, her posture relaxed, the very image of a hostess: “You two young ladies probably don’t know yet—your little sister has already fallen from favor.”

Lin Mengxian: “…F-Favor?”

Ye Zhenzhen: “FAVOR?!!”

Bi He covered her mouth and laughed: “So, you two ladies can no longer continue being ‘guests’ here.”

Lin Mengxian swiftly covered Ye Zhenzhen’s mouth with her hand: “Senior, why not speak more clearly? It would spare us juniors worry and anxiety.”

Bi He held up two fingers: “Right now, there are two choices for you ladies. One is to become a Cauldron for our Black Lotus Sect. The other is… death!”

Ye Zhenzhen sneered: “I’d rather die… Mmph!”

Lin Mengxian pinched her waist lightly, keeping her hand firmly sealed over her mouth, her smile unwavering: “We understand Senior’s meaning. But to go from good standing to prisoners just like that… Senior, why not show some kindness and give us time to accept it?”

“Young lady, your words are mistaken. Even as Cauldrons, we are still considered disciples of the Black Lotus Sect. How could that be considered prisoners? Our sect will naturally provide you with wonderful pills and medicines for cultivation. If you can win the favor of the Senior Brothers or Sisters within the sect, you’d leave this place and be devoted to one person henceforth. You’ll naturally come to understand the pleasures then.”

Lin Mengxian looked at Bi He, as if noticing something: “What if we wanted to win Senior’s favor?”

Bi He smiled enigmatically: “You are a clever one. I like clever people.”

If Liuli had been there to see Bi He, she would have sighed—Wow, you’re mimicking your Hierarch quite well, but it’s still missing that something, missing that supreme arrogance of “I am the best under heaven, and all of you are mere ants!”

Lin Mengxian slightly lowered her head, exposing her fair, slender neck, and said softly, “Senior’s kindness… This junior accepts it in her heart. We only hope Senior will grant us some time. Allow this little sister to persuade my stubborn elder sister here.”

Bi He sneered. She turned around, the tassels tied in her long hair swinging, and strutted out with a sway of her hips.

…

In the room dominated by the color pink.

Liuli was frowning deeply, not a trace of happiness on her face. This was essentially forced ripening. Even though she’d advanced to the Golden Core stage, her five senses, constitution, and True Qi all undergoing a qualitative leap, Liuli still didn’t feel a sense of reality.

Instead, the sense of crisis in her heart grew stronger.

The fat pig waits for slaughter, Liuli waits to be sucked dry… Liuli quickly crawled off the bed and tiptoed toward the door. Through the door panel, she first knocked softly: “Bi He… are you there?”

No one answered from outside. It seemed there was no guard!

Delight appeared on Liuli’s face. She reached out to push the door—it wouldn’t open. She pushed harder—still wouldn’t open!

The doors and windows were all tightly sealed by magical arts. Liuli was completely under house arrest!

It’s over, it’s over. Can I only wait here idly for Tang Shikou to come and drain me? No, no. I have to figure out a way to escape.

Liuli bit her lip and paced anxiously around the room. Suddenly, her peripheral vision caught a large mirror—My god, who is that great beauty in the mirror!

Is it me? Is it cute and beautiful little me, Liuli?

Liuli dashed over in a few quick steps. Up close, she couldn’t help but raise a silly smile at the corner of her mouth. She struck an exaggerated, posturing pose and admired herself in the mirror.

Yes, this great beauty in the mirror was Liuli herself!

In truth, Liuli’s facial features hadn’t noticeably changed, but her entire bearing had suddenly elevated. It was as if she was naturally emanating a soft-focus filter; she’d abruptly been cloaked in a dreamlike, illusory, ethereal, immortal aura.

And upon closer inspection, her skin seemed even more dewy and translucent, her lips even more delicate and flower-like. From the corners of her eyes to the tips of her brows, there was a vibrant, brimming spirituality. The whole person, just like her name, was radiant and overflowing with color, like glazed glass.

Liuli quietly admired herself for a moment, then suddenly smacked her head.

Stop! Quit the narcissism! Time to think about serious matters!

Right now, there didn’t seem to be any guards outside. If she tried to break through by force, it would definitely attract a crowd—and she still hadn’t found a way out or an exit path.

Liuli bit her lip hard. What should I do?

Thinking, she slowly raised her head and looked at the large mirror in front of her.

A mirror… right, she had one too!

…

Bi He returned to Cherry Snow Palace in quite a good mood. After returning and standing guard at the door, her mood quickly turned sour again.

Although she didn’t know what that woman had done to make the Hierarch put her under house arrest, she could tell the Hierarch was still very concerned.

Isn’t she just a cauldron? Bi He felt a bit sour. She was one of the long-standing members beside Tang Shikou. These past days, Tang Shikou’s indulgence and doting on that woman never failed to shock Bi He and leave a bitter taste in her mouth.

She’d vented her frustrations on that woman’s two accomplices, which improved her mood considerably, but coming back and still having to guard her irritated Bi He again.

Just then, this woman’s insufferably arrogant voice sounded from inside the door: “Bi He, Bi He, is that you?”

“It is me, Miss Shishi.”

Tang Shikou was a proud person. She never liked wasting words with underlings. Therefore, Bi He didn’t yet know that Liuli and Tang Shikou had long since torn off all pretenses.

“Bi He, open the door.”

Bi He sneered inwardly, but her voice remained soft: “Miss Shishi, our Master has given orders. Bi He does not dare disobey.”

“Hmm?”

Just then, Tang Shikou’s voice suddenly came from inside the room.

Bi He was instantly alarmed. The Hierarch had actually gone inside while I wasn’t here!

From inside the door, Liuli complained: “Good sister, this little sister’s hands are sore from giving you a massage… You lie down first. Let Bi He brew a pot of tea. I need to rest my hands.”

Tang Shikou laughed and said, “Why go through all that trouble? Just let her come in and brew it here.”

Liuli “hmphed” and said, “The door was casually closed by me. Without your order, she wouldn’t dare come in!”

Tang Shikou then said, “Bi He, come in and brew tea.”

With the Hierarch’s command, Bi He truly did not dare disobey. She lowered her head, opened the door, and compliantly walked to the table to brew tea.

She secretly raised her gaze. On the screen blocking the bed hung a long black robe—the very style the Hierarch often wore!

Through the screen, two figures, one lying, one sitting, were very harmonious. From time to time, they even emitted laughter and chatter that made Bi He burn with jealousy.

Once Bi He finished brewing the tea, she lowered her eyes: “Reporting to Master and Miss Shishi, the tea is ready.”

Liuli came out from behind the screen, her earlier caution completely gone. She sat on a stool like a boss, one leg propped up, and held the tea to sip slowly.

“Hmm. It’s just mediocre. Not as good as the tea I brew.”

Bi He: “…Heh heh. Naturally, it cannot compare to Miss Shishi’s.”

At this moment, Tang Shikou emerged from behind the screen, casually throwing on her black robe.

Bi He did not dare look directly at the Hierarch, bowing and waiting. Tang Shikou spoke: “Alright, little sister, go ahead and rest. I misunderstood you earlier. This house arrest is no longer necessary. Bi He, come with me.”

“Yes, Master.”

Tang Shikou stood still.

Bi He also didn’t dare move.

Liuli took the opportunity to bully her inferiors while fawning on superiors: “Insolence! Truly a clumsy maidservant with no sense. Hurry up and clear the way for the Hierarch!”

Tang Shikou said nothing.

Bi He: “…Yes.”

She couldn’t fathom the Hierarch’s thoughts either. She could only walk ahead in uneasy apprehension. After leaving the room, Tang Shikou casually said not to bother locking the door. Even if Bi He was bitterly unwilling, she could only watch Liuli swagger out.

Tang Shikou smiled: “Good little sister, do you want to accompany Sister on a walk?”

Liuli: “Been cooped up too long. Boring.”

“Then let’s go together.”

“Alright, but this little sister doesn’t want to be seen by too many people. Ah, there’s no helping it. Their gazes of envy, jealousy, and hatred will make this little sister swell up with pride!”

Bi He: “…”

Just what does Master see in this crazy little wench!

Tang Shikou chuckled lightly: “As little sister wishes. Bi He, choose a path with fewer people.”

“Yes, Master.” Bi He could only follow orders, no matter how confused she was.

Showing them the way wasn’t enough; Liuli also demanded Bi He act as a tour guide. As she talked, she then demanded to see the Black Lotus Sect’s exit.

Bi He’s heart began to churn with suspicion, but then she heard Liuli say shamelessly, “The world is so vast, I want to see it. Sister, come with me and travel around the world!”

Tang Shikou actually said, “Okay!”

It’s over, it’s over. The Hierarch couldn’t possibly be bewitched by this woman!

Bi He had a nagging feeling that something was off. Her heart involuntarily tightened. She led Liuli and the Hierarch toward the exit, leaving herself some leeway by not getting too close, pointing it out to Liuli from a distance:

“Miss Shishi, this is the place.”

“How do you get out?”

“There are guards and a formation at the gate. Once your identity as a Black Lotus Sect disciple is verified, you’ll be allowed passage.”

“I see.”

Bi He thought Miss Shishi would take this chance to say she wanted to go out. Unexpectedly, she suddenly changed her tune: “I’ve been here so long and really miss my two sisters. Hierarch, take me to see them.”

Tang Shikou said, “I still have matters to attend to. I’ll leave first. Bi He, take her there.”

“Yes, Master.”

Tang Shikou left shortly after, leaving Bi He alone with Liuli.

Liuli smiled gleefully and issued orders to Bi He: “I’m afraid of strangers. Let’s continue taking the small paths.”

Bi He gnashed her teeth in fury: “Yes! Miss Shishi.”

After winding about and even descending a floor, Liuli finally arrived outside the area where Cauldrons were being raised.

A magnificently beautiful woman clad in a purple long robe stood gracefully ahead, blocking their path.

Bi He was startled and immediately bowed: “Master.”

Strange, hadn’t Master just left? How… did she go back just to change her clothes?

Tang Shikou ignored Bi He. She looked at Liuli with a gaze that was both satisfied and controlling: “Good little sister, you truly surprise your sister.”

Liuli innocently widened her eyes: “I don’t quite understand what Sister means.”

Barely at the Golden Core stage, and you can already use external objects to cast a small Illusion Realm to deceive another expert who’s long resided at the same Golden Core stage. Heavenly Fragrance Spirit Body, truly extraordinary!