Chapter 312: A Series of Surprises, Ancient Secrets
Chi Lingyuan was speechless, recalling the scene that had just transpired in an instant.
This man’s attacks and defenses seemed to have no technique or form, no deeper meaning or artistic conception, like the random flailing of an ordinary mortal, just subconscious movements of his hands and feet.
But it was this most ordinary thrust that had effortlessly broken her Emperor Heaven Dual Martial Arts, piercing through her perfectly harmonious martial arts realm.
All her anticipation, seamlessness, and mastery of martial arts… had become a laughingstock under his finger, as if they were nothing.
This couldn’t be explained by simply “returning to basics.”
Or perhaps, it was something that transcended all these realms…
Only after Lin Tianlu lowered his hand did she snap out of her daze and quickly retract her fist, sighing: “You possess such transcendental martial arts, I truly admit defeat.”
“You flatter me, Miss Chi.”
Seeing her readily conceding, Lin Tianlu smiled gently and cupped his hands: “It was just a casual move, not a proper technique. If it weren’t for your willingness to spar, and a bit of luck, the outcome might have been different.”
“Are all mortal scholars so humble?”
Chi Lingyuan’s heart warmed slightly, and she couldn’t help but chuckle softly, curtseying gracefully: “Thank you for holding back just now, sir. Otherwise, if that finger had pierced my heart, without relying on cultivation for defense, I would have screamed and tumbled down the mountain. As the host, I would have embarrassed myself in front of you two, crawling back up from the bottom.”
“You’re too kind, Miss.”
“No need for such formalities!”
She quickly waved her hand, her excitement still lingering, and chuckled: “I originally thought my martial arts realm had reached the peak of this world, but now I realize how narrow my vision was. The path ahead is still endless.
That finger strike of yours just now is truly unforgettable, I really want to experience it a few more times, even if it means being poked and rolling around on the ground~”
Lin Tianlu couldn’t help but chuckle awkwardly.
This girl, the embodiment of the Immortal Phoenix, had quite a straightforward and approachable personality.
“Well, there’s plenty of time in the future, we’ll have many opportunities to spar again.”
Chi Lingyuan didn’t press the matter further and, with a playful smile, formed a hand seal, the surrounding scenery changing once again.
…
In an instant, the three of them returned to the misty pond, their feet once again on solid ground.
Chi Lingyuan’s beautiful eyes flickered, a seductive smile appearing on her face. She reached out and took Lin Tianlu’s arm, turning to walk towards the pond.
Lin Tianlu was pulled along for two steps, and he asked, stunned: “What are you doing, Miss Chi?”
“After that fight, my body is tingling all over. Why don’t we soak in the pond for a while and relax?”
Chi Lingyuan walked with long strides, the curve of her hips swaying enticingly. Only after she relaxed did one realize how full and firm her smooth thighs were.
And her words made Lin Tianlu’s eye twitch.
“Cough! Miss Chi, men and women shouldn’t be too intimate, we can’t do such a thing—”
“Hmm? Really?”
Chi Lingyuan looked back at him in surprise, murmuring: “I rarely interact with outsiders. After several dynastic changes, I’m not familiar with the customs and rules of this world.”
“Just listen to Master Lin, Miss, he won’t let you suffer~”
With a fragrant breeze, Youluo’s graceful figure approached, a smile on her face, and she wrapped her arm around Lin Tianlu’s protectively, chuckling: “Being naked together should only happen between lovers. If others were to see it, it would ruin your reputation.”
“I know that, but he…”
Chi Lingyuan paused slightly, but she quickly smiled seductively and released Lin Tianlu’s arm:
“Alright, I’ll listen to your request first. Is it about the jade pendant from before?”
Lin Tianlu breathed a sigh of relief and said seriously:
“Indeed. We came all the way from Xima Prefecture to Wuchang Province to repair that jade pendant and find a way for the spirit within to create a physical body.
We came here specifically to investigate after hearing rumors of a divine being residing on Immortal Phoenix Mountain.”
“I understand.”
Chi Lingyuan’s golden eyes flickered with a seductive glint, her voice soft and alluring: “Bring me the jade pendant, let me… Hu! I’ll go out and see. It’s a bit rude to leave those two women waiting outside.”
She quickly smiled and walked towards the edge of the misty area.
Lin Tianlu and Youluo exchanged glances and quickly followed.
…
Beside the stone table in the peach blossom forest.
Mao Ruoyu and Cheng Yishi sat there, their faces filled with worry and unease.
Although they knew that their husband possessed extraordinary abilities, they couldn’t predict the strength and background of this Immortal Phoenix.
They couldn’t go and investigate what was happening by the pond, their hearts filled with anxiety, wanting to sneak a peek and confirm his safety.
“There’s no need to worry.”
Yun Yue, curled up on the stone table, raised her eyes slightly and murmured: “That Immortal Phoenix only gently pushed you here, without any restraints, which proves she has no malicious intentions. With Tianlu’s eloquence, just a few kind words should be enough to improve their relationship, nothing bad will happen.”
“I understand what you’re saying, Sister Yun.”
Mao Ruoyu bit her lip lightly, her gaze flickering as she looked at the surrounding peach blossom forest: “But being here makes me feel… strange.”
She had often sat in a peach blossom garden like this in her dreams, playing music, thinking it was just a beautiful and ethereal dream.
But now, seeing it in reality… this sense of disorientation made her unable to distinguish between dream and reality.
“I feel the same.”
Cheng Yishi rubbed her temples and sighed: “And that voice just now…”
“So, these two are your wives?”
A soft and seductive female voice suddenly echoed.
Mao Ruoyu and Cheng Yishi quickly stood up and looked over to see Lin Tianlu and the others slowly emerging from behind the misty stone mountain.
“Husband!”
Mao Ruoyu and Cheng Yishi’s faces lit up with joy.
But after seeing Chi Lingyuan, they were stunned.
This woman was…
“Sorry for making you worry.”
Lin Tianlu smiled and introduced them: “This is the Immortal Phoenix of this mountain, her name is Chi Lingyuan. And these two are my wives, Mao Ruoyu and Cheng Yishi… and that fox woman sitting on the stone table is Yun Yue.”
“Oh~”
Chi Lingyuan nodded slightly with interest.
Then, she seemed to notice something and stared at Mao Ruoyu’s ample bosom, raising an eyebrow: “Is that so-called jade pendant on you, Madam Mao?”
“Y-Yes.”
Although Mao Ruoyu was surprised by the woman’s appearance, her mind was sharp, and she quickly realized that they were now cooperating. She smiled faintly and took out the jade pendant from her bosom: “This is it, and the girl inside, Miss Xuanling, she… hmm?”
Just as she was about to hand it over, she suddenly exclaimed softly.
Because the jade pendant in her hand suddenly emitted a bright light.
With her skirt swirling, a graceful figure appeared before them.
“Hu—”
Yu Xuanling spread her arms and exhaled deeply, her eyes sparkling as she looked at them, no longer her usual childish and innocent self, but somewhat more mature.
Chi Lingyuan, as if having anticipated this, crossed her arms, a meaningful and ambiguous smile on her face.
“Truly an identical face.”
Yu Xuanling’s expression was quite serious, and for a moment, she didn’t know what to say.
Seeing the heavy atmosphere, Lin Tianlu stepped forward curiously and asked: “Xuanling, do you know why you two look so alike?”
“Master, I seem to have a… deep connection with this woman.”
“A deep connection.”
Chi Lingyuan suddenly said: “Or rather, we can be considered to have the same origin.”
“Hmm?”
Lin Tianlu was confused: “Could you explain in more detail, Miss? What do you mean by ‘same origin’…?”
“Her soul is very similar to mine, so naturally, our appearances are identical.”
Chi Lingyuan glanced back, her eyes filled with interest: “Do you know how long I’ve been in this world, sir?”
“About… a thousand years?”
But Chi Lingyuan chuckled.
“Your guess is too conservative. It’s been at least several thousand years since I awakened from my slumber.”
Hearing this, Mao Ruoyu and Cheng Yishi were stunned.
Such an age, wasn’t she truly an ancient being?
Lin Tianlu’s thoughts stirred, and he mused: “Since you awakened your consciousness thousands of years ago, Miss, are you saying that Xuanling, like you, is also from—”
“I didn’t have any jade pendant when I awakened. This is the first time I’ve seen this jade pendant containing a spirit.”
Chi Lingyuan chuckled softly and tapped her forehead: “However, the moment I saw this jade pendant, many blurry images from my dreams appeared in my mind.”
“For example, a long time ago, I was a part of this jade pendant.”
“Hmm?!”
Lin Tianlu and the others were shocked.
But looking at Yu Xuanling’s serious expression, she didn’t refute or deny it, clearly not a joke.
“How long ago, I can’t remember clearly. But I do know that I am the ‘Heart Sea Soul Pendant’.”
Chi Lingyuan crossed her arms and said casually: “Simply put, my relationship with Miss Yu Xuanling is more like that of twin sisters.”
Cheng Yishi was even more confused, murmuring: “B-But aren’t you the embodiment of the Immortal Phoenix, Miss Chi, according to the legends? Why would you be a spirit—”
“I never said I was a spirit like her.”
But Chi Lingyuan chuckled and wagged her finger: “This Heart Sea Soul Pendant has boundless power and can nurture spirits. My consciousness and soul were born from this divine object, but this body has nothing to do with the jade pendant itself.”
“Tracing back to my origins, I am from the Chihuang clan of the ancient Northern Yu Divine Palace. Back then, our clan was in chaos, and I couldn’t wait thousands of years to hatch. My clan members had no choice but to ask the Wan Sheng Immortal Sect for this rare divine object, using spiritual energy to nurture flesh, transferring souls and awakening consciousness, breaking out of the cocoon. That’s how I, Chi Lingyuan, came to be.”
These simple words shocked everyone present into silence.
The secrets and information revealed were truly hard to digest.
And the most surprised among them was undoubtedly Lin Tianlu.
“—Wan Sheng Immortal Sect?”
Lin Tianlu’s expression changed repeatedly, and he quickly asked: “Do you know anything about the current situation of the Wan Sheng Immortal Sect, Miss Chi?!”
“Oh?”
Chi Lingyuan looked back at him in surprise.
But she quickly smiled gently and seductively, saying softly: “The Wan Sheng Immortal Sect has existed since ancient times, its history even older than that of demons and ghosts, more than five thousand years. My knowledge is insufficient to explain the secrets and whereabouts of this immortal sect. Back then, our Northern Yu Divine Palace was able to borrow the Heart Sea Soul Pendant thanks to some personal connections, we owe them a great debt of gratitude.”
As expected!
Lin Tianlu’s mind raced.
The origins and background of the Wan Sheng Immortal Sect were ancient, far beyond the records of the demon and ghost world.
The current thousand-year-old demons and ghosts were survivors of the great war, their status already revered. It was hard to imagine what it was like thousands or even tens of thousands of years ago, truly unfathomable.
If he told anyone, they probably wouldn’t believe him.
“From the moment I met you, I suspected the origin of your extraordinary cultivation.”
As everyone pondered the hidden meaning behind her words, Chi Lingyuan smiled charmingly and continued: “This natural and world-connecting profound energy, like the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, or the embodiment of creation, is very likely the ‘Extreme Profound Energy’ of the Wan Sheng Immortal Sect—
—Integrating the power of all things, encompassing all changes in the world, that’s the origin of the name ‘Wan Sheng,’ all things flourishing, boundless potential.
“However—”
She suddenly changed the subject and chuckled, raising an eyebrow: “I dismissed this guess after our spar just now.”
Lin Tianlu frowned: “Why?”
Based on her description, it seemed to match his situation quite well.
“Although the Wan Sheng Immortal Sect has existed since ancient times and is the most powerful sect among all realms, no one knows how many earth-shattering secrets and treasures it holds. But I know… their Extreme Profound Energy couldn’t create someone as wondrous as you, sir.”
“How do you know, Miss?”
“Because I was born from the Heart Sea Soul Pendant and have cultivated half of the Extreme Profound Energy by chance. I naturally know its power and mysteries.”
Chi Lingyuan shook her head and chuckled: “But compared to you, sir, it’s like an ant trying to shake a giant tree, completely powerless. Not to mention that my cultivation is no match for yours, even my Emperor Heaven Dual Martial Arts, honed over thousands of years and combined with the bloodline of the Northern Yu Chihuang, are inferior. How can I claim that you possess the Extreme Profound Energy, sir?”
Lin Tianlu was stunned.
This Phoenix girl had cultivated… the Extreme Profound Energy of the Wan Sheng Immortal Sect?
But now it seemed that there wasn’t much to be wary of.
It wasn’t even that different from the family cultivation method that Shuya had been practicing since childhood.
Lin Tianlu’s thoughts stirred, and he couldn’t help but chuckle, cupping his hands: “Thank you for your detailed explanation, Miss Chi.”
“You’re welcome, I just rambled a bit, making you happy for nothing, sir.”
“Don’t worry, Miss, I’m very grateful to have learned something about the Wan Sheng Immortal Sect.”
Chi Lingyuan smiled and waved her hand: “There’s no need to be so polite, let’s talk about the matter you’re concerned about.”
Saying this, she quickly looked at Yu Xuanling, smiling seductively: “You came here to help this spirit recover her cultivation?”
“Firstly, to help Xuanling obtain her own physical body, so she can move freely in the outside world, no longer bound by the jade pendant. Secondly, to find a treasure that can repair this jade pendant.”
“Repair?”
Chi Lingyuan was slightly stunned, then quickly said:
“Wait, you mean… the Heart Sea Soul Pendant is damaged?”
“Indeed.”
Lin Tianlu nodded slightly: “Not only is the Heart Sea Soul Pendant damaged, but even the Wan Sheng Immortal Sect has been destroyed, leaving only ruins and remnants, fading into history.”
“…”
Chi Lingyuan’s expression gradually darkened, and she murmured, lowering her eyes:
“No wonder the jade pendant looked a bit different from what I remembered. I didn’t expect even the Wan Sheng Immortal Sect to be destroyed… just how long have I been asleep?”
“Miss Chi?”
Lin Tianlu asked tentatively: “Do you have a way to help?”
“There’s no need to ask, Master.”
But Yu Xuanling, who had been silent for a long time, suddenly spoke: “I already know the method.”
Seeing everyone looking at her, Yu Xuanling focused her gaze and pointed towards the misty area behind the stone mountain: “Just like what we did on Jade Peak Mountain, take the core of Immortal Phoenix Mountain, formed from the essence of the sun and moon, and absorb it completely. It will help me recover quite a bit.”
“Or—”
Before she could finish speaking, Chi Lingyuan’s golden eyes flickered, and she couldn’t help but chuckle: “Let me, who shares the same origin as you, help you condense a true body and take human form?”
Yu Xuanling frowned slightly at being interrupted, but she wasn’t angry, nodding calmly: “That’s right… that’s the answer that came to my mind.”
Lin Tianlu asked curiously: “I wonder if you can help with this, Miss Chi?”
“Of course.”
Chi Lingyuan readily agreed without hesitation: “This Heart Sea Soul Pendant has a deep connection to me, helping her recover is nothing. Besides, this girl seems to be quite close to you.”
She glanced back meaningfully, her bright golden eyes filled with seductive charm, a faint blush on her cheeks, making one’s heart tingle and their soul stir.
Her lips were slightly parted, her eyebrows playful, a hint of teasing in her smile.
“However, I don’t have much energy to spare for condensing a soul and creating a body right now, it will have to wait.”
Youluo’s eyes twinkled, and she chuckled: “Could it be that you have some important matters to attend to on this solitary mountain peak, Miss Chi?”
“Naturally.”
But Chi Lingyuan smiled brightly and put her hands on her hips: “I’m here to guard the eight clans’ secret realm… for the next three days.”
