Chapter 318: The Chihuang Clan, An Alluring Fragrance
Lin Tianlu was in a good mood.
Since arriving in Changling County, he had gradually gained a deeper understanding of his own cultivation.
During this time, he had met a talented young swordswoman, shared drinks and conversations with a martial arts grandmaster, and interacted with various demons and ghosts, learning quite a few martial arts techniques and methods of manipulating energy. It had been a fruitful experience.
After all, if he didn’t properly utilize his boundless spiritual energy, he would just be a punching bag with thick skin.
Perhaps it was intuition, or perhaps he was simply blessed with extraordinary luck, but his every move and gesture seemed to possess a unique and profound artistic conception.
But now, he had truly encountered a “profound technique.”
“—Emperor Heaven Dual Martial Arts, truly a supreme technique.”
Lin Tianlu’s mind stirred, calming his breath as scenes of his fight with Chi Lingyuan flashed through his mind. The defensive movements he used during their spar subtly changed.
As he swung his arms, stepped, and moved, his limbs seemed to move as one, his perception extending hundreds of feet, his consciousness ethereal and clear. The howling wind and snow in the mountains, the trickling streams, the rustling leaves and grass, the fluttering dust… everything, every subtle change, was within his grasp.
Although it was called “Emperor Heaven,” with a clear mind and spirit, it felt like merging with nature, understanding the heavens and earth.
He had completely grasped this technique.
“—Eh!?”
Chi Lingyuan’s beautiful eyes widened, and she let out a short cry of surprise. She hadn’t even seen the palm print appear before it struck her chest, her body trembling violently, almost making her knees buckle.
But despite the tightness in her chest and the difficulty breathing, she couldn’t hide her shock and amazement.
“You, you’ve already learned my Emperor Heaven Dual Martial Arts?”
Chi Lingyuan’s voice trembled slightly, her golden eyes filled with surprise.
Lin Tianlu quickly withdrew his hand and cupped his hands: “Please forgive me, Miss, I was just trying it out, I didn’t mean to steal your technique—”
“You… don’t worry, I would be happy if you could learn it.”
Chi Lingyuan rubbed her tingling chest, as if savoring that exquisite palm strike. Her expression quickly softened, and she said gently: “I just didn’t expect you to have such incredible perception and intelligence, Master Lin. You’ve almost mastered it without me even telling you the key principles or mental techniques.”
Lin Tianlu chuckled: “Your martial arts are truly exquisite, Miss, completely different from ordinary swordsmanship or fist techniques, it’s more like…”
“A manifestation of a martial arts realm, not just rigid movements.”
Chi Lingyuan smiled faintly: “Although I’m not as skilled as you, Master Lin, with your supreme and unparalleled realm, I’ve integrated the martial arts realm of heaven and the emperor’s secret techniques into my fists and palms, stillness at its deepest, movement world-shaking, with endless variations… Of course, saying this to you makes me seem a bit arrogant and conceited, boasting about just a few moves, how embarrassing.”
“You’re too humble, Miss Chi.”
Lin Tianlu smiled and gestured: “Every technique and realm has its own unique aspects, your Emperor Heaven Dual Martial Arts has truly broadened my horizons.”
“Then, let’s continue!” Chi Lingyuan’s eyes flickered with a playful glint, and she suddenly counterattacked.
But in the next moment, her vision blurred, and she found herself falling forward, Lin Tianlu’s figure having disappeared.
“Ugh?!”
She instinctively reached out to steady herself, but then she suddenly realized that her waist was being gently held, preventing her from falling.
“You’re already exhausted, Miss, there’s no need to push yourself.”
The arm around her waist tightened, and she was lifted up, a gentle chuckle echoing beside her ear: “Rest for a while.”
Feeling the warm breath against her ear and the firm arm around her waist, Chi Lingyuan pursed her lips slightly, a seductive blush appearing on her cheeks, her heart filled with an indescribable shock.
That move just now…
She hadn’t held back or relaxed at all.
Her Emperor Heaven Dual Martial Arts had nothing to do with whether she was tired or not.
But she hadn’t even had time to react, her mind and body hadn’t even registered anything unusual, before she was effortlessly defeated. If he hadn’t shown mercy, she would have been utterly humiliated, falling flat on her face.
“My martial arts have improved significantly through practice, but he… has progressed even further!”
Chi Lingyuan secretly glanced at Lin Tianlu, who was helping her towards the stone table, her golden eyes flickering.
Like a boundless and bottomless ocean, constantly absorbing countless rivers and streams, becoming even vaster.
This ability to encompass all things truly surpassed the Extreme Profound Energy of the Wan Sheng Immortal Sect!
“Miss Chi, you should sit down and rest beside me. Look at your flushed face, don’t overexert yourself!”
Youluo’s seductive and playful chuckle snapped her out of her daze, and she realized that she was leaning against Youluo.
“Hu—”
Chi Lingyuan exhaled softly and smiled faintly: “My Chihuang bloodline isn’t that fragile, moving around a bit makes me feel much better.”
Lin Tianlu hesitated and asked tentatively: “Can you tell me now, Miss…”
“The Chihuang Clan, born from the destiny of heaven and the energy of metal and fire, are one of the innate beings of heaven and earth. Since the first Phoenix descended, we are its descendants, all possessing its bloodline within our human forms, inheriting the foundation of innate beings and the opportunity for cultivation.”
Chi Lingyuan didn’t try to be mysterious, calming herself and quickly regaining her previous lazy and seductive demeanor, her voice soft and alluring: “Since tens of thousands of years ago, we’ve lived around the Northern Yu Divine Island, building divine palaces and establishing sects, just like those immortals. We’ve always stayed away from worldly disputes, cultivating in seclusion within the divine palace, enjoying eternal life.”
Lin Tianlu’s imagination ran wild, his heart filled with wonder.
This world from tens of thousands of years ago was no different from the world of cultivators he had imagined.
He just hadn’t expected these phoenixes to be like immortals, so transcendent and detached.
“But, since your Northern Yu Divine Palace rarely interacts with the outside world, Miss Chi, why—”
“Conflict and plunder exist in every era.”
Chi Lingyuan shook her head and chuckled: “We, the Chihuang Clan, are all beautiful women, impervious to fire, water, and all poisons, practically immortal, and each of us possesses extraordinary cultivation. Naturally, we attracted the attention of many villains. After several battles and countless casualties, the Northern Yu Divine Palace, which had stood for thousands of years, ultimately perished without a trace.”
Lin Tianlu was speechless.
It seemed that there were such villains and schemers in every era.
“There were so many open and covert struggles, if I were to tell you everything, it would probably take ten days or half a month.”
The reminiscent look on Chi Lingyuan’s face quickly vanished, and she chuckled: “Simply put, our Chihuang Clan was blessed with too many gifts from heaven, it’s natural for us to be envied and targeted in times of chaos.”
Youluo looked her up and down and teased: “If all the Chihuang in the Northern Yu Divine Palace are as alluring and captivating as you, Miss, with such a seductive fragrance, it’s no wonder you attracted so many evil beings.”
Chi Lingyuan just smiled casually, picking up the porcelain cup on the stone table and swirling it: “Even without this voluptuous body, just my bodily fluids and saliva alone can grant mortals extraordinary cultivation, no different from spiritual medicines and treasures, naturally making people envious.”
Lin Tianlu twitched the corner of his mouth and said awkwardly: “It seems I should thank you even more for your hospitality just now, Miss.”
“Eh?”
Youluo was stunned, looking at the remaining liquid in her cup: “This… isn’t wine?”
“It’s indeed wine, but it’s brewed with Miss Chi’s saliva as an ingredient.”
“…”
Now it was Youluo’s turn to make a strange expression.
But as a fellow woman, her reaction was relatively calm, and she smiled wryly: “I just took a few sips, I didn’t expect…”
“Don’t worry, Miss, although the ingredients are a bit strange, this wine was one of our clan’s treasures tens of thousands of years ago, never shared with outsiders.”
Chi Lingyuan chuckled: “Not only can it nourish the body and soul, granting blessings and gathering spiritual energy, but the taste of this wine… also reflects the drinker’s thoughts and feelings. Joy and excitement make it sweet like dates, sorrow and grief make it bitter like medicinal dregs, envy and jealousy make it spicy and burning. It has many wondrous flavors.”
Youluo was about to comment on the wonders of this wine when she suddenly closed her mouth, a faint blush appearing on her cheeks.
The spicy and burning taste was because…
She coughed lightly and quickly changed the subject: “Since there are phoenixes, I suppose the ancient times must have been quite magnificent, with various clans flourishing. It’s a pity you don’t remember much, Miss Chi, we can’t get a glimpse of the immortals from millions of years ago.”
“Indeed.”
Chi Lingyuan smiled faintly: “Although my memories are blurry, I vaguely remember some grand and magnificent scenes. But now, I can’t sense much spiritual energy of heaven and earth, only this Yin energy permeating the world, the difference is truly vast.”
Lin Tianlu’s heart stirred, and he quickly asked: “You’ve been awake for four thousand years, Miss Chi, do you know why only Yin energy prevails in this demon and ghost world?”
“This demon and ghost world should be viewed separately.”
She lowered her eyes and smiled faintly: “It is both a demon and ghost world, and a Dao realm. The eight clans are descendants of ancient beings, but they leaned towards demonic and Yin techniques, so this world was created accordingly. The balance of Yin and Yang was artificially altered, and Yin energy and demon veins became the only ‘righteous path’ in this realm.”
Lin Tianlu remained silent.
This outcome wasn’t much different from what he had previously speculated.
“But, Miss Chi, do you know why the demon veins gradually declined, until they completely disappeared?”
“Hmm?”
But Chi Lingyuan exclaimed softly in surprise: “The demon veins have declined and disappeared?”
Lin Tianlu frowned: “Indeed, demons are almost extinct in this world.”
“But the fox traveling with you…”
“Yue’er was also born thousands of years ago, but she was trapped in the Netherworld, and that’s why she survived. As for how many other demons still exist in this world, there are probably very few left.”
“Netherworld?”
Chi Lingyuan’s expression became even more puzzled and confused.
But after a moment of thought, she shook her head apologetically: “I know very little about the changes that have happened in the past thousand years. Perhaps something earth-shattering happened in the demon and ghost world, but I’ve always lived in this mountain, I haven’t had much contact with the outside world.”
Lin Tianlu smiled gently:
“There’s no need to mind, Miss Chi, I was just asking casually. It would be good to know about the past, but even if we don’t, it’s not something to worry about.”
“He’s right~”
Youluo smiled faintly, her eyes filled with interest: “I’m more curious about where you plan to go after fulfilling your thousand-year promise, Miss Chi? Will you continue to live in seclusion in this mountain?
With your extraordinary cultivation, although perhaps not as unfathomable as Master Lin’s, you can still roam freely in this world, practically invincible. It would be a pity to simply stay here.”
“My future plans…”
Chi Lingyuan’s gaze drifted, her eyes flickering.
After a moment, she chuckled softly: “I don’t have much interest in power struggles, staying here isn’t so bad. If I were to descend the mountain and enter the mortal world, I’m afraid I would be easily deceived.”
Youluo chuckled inwardly.
Although this phoenix was ancient and powerful, her personality was straightforward and honest, not good at scheming. With her extraordinary cultivation, if she were to descend the mountain alone and encounter those from large factions, she might indeed be easily tricked and manipulated, unknowingly becoming their pawn.
“Since you’ve already decided, Miss Chi, that’s a good thing.”
Lin Tianlu nodded slightly and said gently: “If we have time in the future, I’ll come and visit you with my wives, bringing some modern delicacies, wine, books, and toys.”
“Thank you for your kindness, Master Lin.”
Chi Lingyuan’s golden eyes flickered, and she let out a soft moan: “I’ve told you almost everything I can.
After all that sparring, I’m covered in sweat, sticky and uncomfortable. I’ll go soak in the pond for a while and clean myself up.”
Lin Tianlu quickly stepped forward to support her: “Go ahead, Miss, Youluo and I will wait here.”
“Hu~”
But after being helped up, Chi Lingyuan leaned closer with a seductive smile, whispering softly: “You should come with me to the pond~”
Feeling the fragrant and seductive scent, Lin Tianlu was stunned: “Uh?”
“You just sparred with me, why don’t you come and relax in the spring with me?” Chi Lingyuan wrapped her arm around Lin Tianlu’s, a bright smile on her face: “Wouldn’t it be rude to leave you out?”
“Cough! Let me help you there first.”
Youluo just smiled without saying a word, silently watching them walk towards the misty pond behind the stone mountain.
“…”
She looked away at the crystal-clear wine pot, a subtle expression on her face: “Even I can be flustered sometimes…”
“Why the long face, Miss?”
“Hmm?”
Youluo suddenly came back to her senses and looked at Lin Tianlu, who had returned alone, in surprise: “Aren’t you going to… spend some more time with that phoenix, Master Lin?”
Lin Tianlu chuckled awkwardly.
“It’s better to let Miss Chi rest alone.”
He wasn’t very good at dealing with such outgoing women.
Especially this woman, the embodiment of a phoenix, so graceful and alluring, her delicate body, wrapped in thin silk, seemingly exuding an unparalleled seductive charm, like a fine wine, her mature beauty almost overflowing, waiting to be unveiled, like the most exquisite nectar and ambrosia.
Just being near her, that alluring fragrance that seeped into one’s bones was already overwhelming, let alone her seductive gestures, truly captivating.
Seeing his rare awkwardness, Youluo was stunned for a moment, then burst into laughter.
“Silly scholar, your two wives and that fox are sleeping soundly, no one will disturb you and Miss Chi if I don’t say anything.”
Lin Tianlu sat down opposite her and said awkwardly: “I haven’t known Miss Chi for long, it’s better to be more proper.”
It would be too “hospitable” to be so intimate right away. Even though he had experienced the joys of beautiful women, he still found this kind of allure a bit… overwhelming.
Youluo couldn’t help but smile, leaning against the stone table with her chin resting on her hand, and teased: “Although you’ve just met, the way Miss Chi looks at you is quite seductive, Master Lin, those phoenix eyes, as if she’s your soulmate from past lives.
If she didn’t know that your two wives were resting in the palace, she might have already thrown herself at you~”
Lin Tianlu couldn’t help but chuckle wryly.
But thinking about it carefully, Chi Lingyuan did have the memories of the Heart Sea Soul Pendant, and she had also accompanied him in his dreams for four thousand years. Although she hadn’t shown any explicit affection, in reality—
“How can blurry dreams and memories compare to a living person?”
Youluo seemed to have seen through everything, her eyes narrowing slightly, her smile becoming even more meaningful: “If her personality was truly so passionate and outgoing, why would she set up two terrifying formations on the mountainside and peak, preventing ordinary people from approaching?”
“That so-called spar, in my opinion, was more like playing around with you, Master Lin, even teaching you her skills, revealing everything to you wholeheartedly.”
Seeing Lin Tianlu gradually fall silent, Youluo’s gaze softened, and she said gently: “This otherworldly phoenix, lonely for so long, has probably truly fallen in love~ wanting to help her beloved and make him happy~”
Lin Tianlu finally smiled wryly:
“Hearing you say that, Miss Youluo, makes Miss Chi sound like a naive little girl.”
“Mmm~ I want to see you captivated by love, Master Lin, so naturally, I have to exaggerate a bit, otherwise, how can I make you fall for Miss Chi?”
A playful glint appeared in Youluo’s eyes, and she said with a mock-angry tone: “However, Miss Chi is indeed interested in you, Master Lin, I didn’t make that up. As a fellow woman, I can naturally see some clues.”
Lin Tianlu scratched his head, feeling a bit awkward and complicated.
“How about it?”
Youluo chuckled: “If you change your mind and go back to the pond now, you might still be able to enjoy some intimate time with Miss Chi~”
“There’s no need to tempt me, Miss.”
Lin Tianlu suddenly sighed.
He flicked Youluo’s forehead, which was more seductive than a fox spirit’s.
“Hmm?”
“I won’t do such a ridiculous thing. It’s better to sit here and compose some poems or play some music, it’s more romantic and elegant.”
“…”
Youluo was dumbfounded.
This scholar was truly unmoved, even the allure of the Chihuang woman, enough to drive any man crazy, couldn’t tempt him.
However…
Her expression softened slightly, she tilted her head, and chuckled: “Alright! If you’re feeling poetic, Master Lin, I’ll accompany you. It would be a shame to waste such a delicious opportunity, at least I can feast my eyes on you.”
Lin Tianlu grinned and gave her a thumbs-up: “Then I must thank you for your kindness, Miss Youluo.”
“…Hmph~”
