Chapter 412: Inner Peace, Signs of a Breakthrough
Several days later.
The hustle and bustle of the Spring Festival had subsided, and the disciples and elders of Lunar Valley had returned to their usual routines.
The Valley Master and First Elder were still busy with the construction of the new secret realm, rarely seen.
However, in a secluded courtyard within the valley, a cheerful and lively atmosphere still lingered.
“—Hey!”
With a playful shout, Yu Xuanling, her eyes narrowed slightly, swung a wooden stick with a swift and graceful movement.
Hua Shuya, facing this attack, couldn’t help but chuckle softly, her body swaying slightly as she effortlessly dodged the childlike strike.
“Miss Xuanling, it seems… you still need more practice.”
“Hu!”
Yu Xuanling pouted slightly, a shy blush appearing on her face: “Ling’er is just not used to using her own body to fight.”
A while ago, she had seen Madam Hua practicing her swordsmanship in the courtyard, and feeling a surge of excitement, she had wanted to spar with her.
But in actual combat…
“There’s no need to rush, Miss Xuanling, just take it slowly.”
Hua Shuya smiled faintly, a hint of emotion in her heart.
She recalled climbing Jade Peak Mountain with Master, searching for clues, when they had encountered danger. It was thanks to Xuanling, possessing her body, that she had been able to break through and reach a new level in her swordsmanship.
But now it seemed that Xuanling herself—
“Madam Hua, be careful!” Yu Xuanling’s eyes suddenly narrowed, and she snorted softly: “Ling’er will show you her true abilities now!”
“Please, Miss Xuanling, I’ll try my best to… Hmm?”
Hua Shuya’s words trailed off, her expression suddenly changing slightly.
She was surprised to see that the young girl before her seemed to have transformed completely, her playful and mischievous demeanor replaced by a cold indifference, a chilling glint in her eyes that almost reminded her of… the Lord of the Heavenly Sea!
Hum!
The wooden stick in her hand blurred, swirling with a strange light as she swung it.
Hua Shuya’s expression turned serious, and she calmly dodged and retreated, raising a branch to block the attacks.
Although it was just wood against wood, the impact created ripples of energy in the courtyard, like the clash of rushing water.
…
While the two sparred intensely, the atmosphere in the nearby pavilion remained peaceful and quiet.
Cheng Yishi put down her book, brushed back her hair which had been ruffled by the wind, and looked towards the courtyard with a surprised expression.
“This… although I know Miss Xuanling is quite capable, I didn’t expect her martial arts skills to be so profound.”
Even a casual glance was enough to see the ingenuity of her moves.
“Although she seems playful and carefree, she’s still the spirit of an ancient celestial artifact.”
Yun Yue, sitting beside her, leaned against the railing lazily, her chin resting on her hand, and chuckled: “Although her memories are fragmented, if she focuses and recalls carefully, she has witnessed and experienced countless immortal techniques. Even just imitating a single move would be far more powerful than ordinary mortal martial arts.”
Cheng Yishi asked curiously: “But Shuya is also holding her own, fighting evenly with Miss Xuanling.”
“She…”
Yun Yue smiled faintly: “With Tianlu’s guidance and her own hard work and talent, she has already developed her own unique swordsmanship and techniques, her power might not be inferior at all.”
Cheng Yishi’s eyes flickered.
Unknowingly, the naive young swordswoman she had met in Changling County had already grown so much.
“Yishi, have you gained any insights from that book?”
“This book?”
Hearing Yun Yue’s question, Cheng Yishi looked away and chuckled awkwardly: “I’m a bit slow, many parts of it are still confusing.”
She had thought that learning Yin techniques would be easy, but now that she had actually started, she realized how profound and complex it was. After reading this introductory book for so long, she felt even more confused.
Yun Yue chuckled softly and said: “These ancient texts are naturally difficult, you have to try and integrate them with your understanding of Yin energy manipulation, then you’ll gradually understand.
However, perhaps you don’t need to follow this path, Yishi.”
“Hmm?” Cheng Yishi blinked her beautiful eyes, puzzled: “What do you mean, Sister Yun?”
“Sometimes, returning to basics, to simplicity and purity, is the best approach.” Yun Yue chuckled: “Tianlu must have mentioned it to you, using emotions to move the heart, and using the heart to control the mind, one can unleash the most powerful techniques.
Didn’t you gain some insights when you fought against the Lord of the Heavenly Sea?”
“That time—”
Cheng Yishi’s expression changed slightly, and she lowered her eyes, a complex look on her face as she clenched her left hand.
Her mind had been a mess at that time, and she had forgotten most of what had happened afterward, only remembering fighting against the possessed Mao Ruoyu. She hadn’t thought about it carefully since then.
But now, with Yun Yue’s reminder, a spark of inspiration ignited within her.
“There’s no need to rush, just let it happen naturally~” Yun Yue said again with a smile: “The path you’re on is unprecedented, all you need to do is be steadfast. One step at a time, don’t be impatient.”
“I understand.”
Cheng Yishi put aside her thoughts and suddenly said: “But you just want to rest more, right, Sister Yun?”
“Indeed~” Yun Yue smiled gently and seductively, yawning slightly, her eyes shimmering with moisture as she leaned against Cheng Yishi: “A nap is the most comfortable thing right now.”
Cheng Yishi stroked the fluffy fox tails resting on her lap and couldn’t help but chuckle, shaking her head.
The atmosphere in Lunar Valley was truly relaxing, this fox woman, who hadn’t been so lazy during their travels, now seemed to be sleeping all the time— “Even after recovering, you’re still so sleepy, Sister Yun.”
Cheng Yishi smiled and gently tapped the fox woman’s nose: “We really thought you were unwell before.”
Yun Yue pretended to be asleep, but her fluffy fox ears twitched, and she nuzzled against Cheng Yishi affectionately, wrapping her arms around her.
Feeling the soft fox tails wrapping around her, Cheng Yishi couldn’t help but smile, picking up the book in her hand and continuing to read.
Even if she couldn’t learn any profound secret techniques right now, expanding her knowledge wasn’t a bad thing.
After all, that woman was now working harder than she was—
…
In the backyard.
Mao Ruoyu, dressed in a light green robe and skirt, stood quietly in the courtyard with her eyes closed, her arm slightly raised, her fingers quickly forming hand seals.
Faint, strange lights emanated from her shoulders, like her silver hair fluttering gently, a crimson mark appearing between her eyebrows, seemingly about to spread.
Silently, the aura emanating from her body became increasingly mysterious and profound, as if she were casting some kind of powerful and abstruse technique.
But near the stables, it was a different scene.
Lin Tianlu had taken off his outer robe and rolled up his sleeves and trousers, revealing his strong and well-proportioned limbs, a rather unusual attire for this season.
He had just brought two buckets of water and opened the stable door, calling out: “Meixia, how about coming out and enjoying the sun?”
“Neigh~”
Meixia, her steps elegant and languid, her demeanor as graceful as a noble lady, walked out of the stable and, as always, nuzzled her head affectionately against Lin Tianlu.
However, her gaze was quickly drawn to Mao Ruoyu in the courtyard, as if sensing the faint fluctuations of Yin energy.
Lin Tianlu stroked her back: “Are you curious about what Ruoyu is doing?”
“Neigh~”
“She’s currently practicing a secret technique of Lunar Valley.”
Lin Tianlu explained: “It’s said to be able to awaken the hidden power within her bloodline and manifest her Primordial Demon Form, the form most suitable for Lunar Valley’s Yin techniques.”
Meixia whinnied softly, seemingly understanding somewhat.
Lin Tianlu quickly smiled: “There’s no need for you to worry, the weather is nice today, perfect for a bath.”
But Meixia suddenly shook her head and took a few steps back, a reluctant, almost human-like, expression on her beautiful horse face.
“You…”
Lin Tianlu looked at her strangely.
This girl, didn’t she like taking baths?
She had even been washed by Ruoyu and Shuya several times during their journey, why was she suddenly— “Tianlu, let me do it.”
A gentle voice suddenly echoed, and Wu Jingyun gracefully walked over, her eyes twinkling: “This horse is sentient and understands human nature, she naturally also understands the differences between men and women. She wouldn’t let you wash her entire body, Tianlu, it wouldn’t be proper.”
“Uh——”
Lin Tianlu’s expression turned subtle, and he touched Meixia’s face: “Are you really shy?”
Meixia quickly nodded, her tail swishing back and forth, as if trying to cover herself.
Seeing her reaction, he couldn’t help but chuckle, shaking his head: “You girl, always licking and nuzzling, and now you’re acting shy like a little girl.”
“Neigh, neigh~” Meixia pawed the ground and then nuzzled against him affectionately.
Wu Jingyun walked over with a faint smile, gently stroking Meixia’s long neck: “Tianlu can wash her front, and I’ll take care of the back. She grew up in the valley and is more comfortable with women bathing her.”
Lin Tianlu smiled and scratched Meixia’s cheek: “Such a pampered child.”
As they talked, they started washing the horse.
As the clear water flowed down, her coat becoming wet, Meixia’s strong and healthy body, like a perfectly sculpted figure, its curves beautiful and flowing, displaying a wild strength and beauty, shimmered with a pearly luster under the soap.
“Neigh~”
As the brush moved across her body, and their hands gently caressed her muscles and bones, Meixia closed her eyes slightly, letting out a comfortable and soft moan, then nuzzled her head against Lin Tianlu affectionately, licking his cheek.
Lin Tianlu wiped his wet face and rubbed her head vigorously, creating a lather of soap.
“You little rascal, you’re truly a handful.”
Meixia whinnied softly, as if smiling.
“Huh?”
At the same time, Wu Jingyun, who was washing Meixia’s back, suddenly exclaimed softly.
Lin Tianlu raised an eyebrow and quickly looked over: “Martial Aunt, what happened… uh—”
His words trailed off, a slightly stiff expression appearing on his face.
Because of Meixia’s playful tail, Wu Jingyun’s clothes were now soaked, the thin fabric clinging to her skin, revealing her fair and delicate skin and the curves of her voluptuous figure, incredibly alluring.
Droplets of water rolled down her beautiful face, her hair wet, a surprisingly seductive sight despite her slightly disheveled appearance.
“This girl…”
Wu Jingyun brushed the wet hair from her face, touched Meixia’s wet mane, and chuckled: “She’s just like Ruoyu when she was young, so mischievous.”
Meixia looked back, shrinking slightly, a guilty look on her face.
“Martial Aunt, you… should change your clothes.” Lin Tianlu averted his gaze and coughed lightly: “Although the Spring Festival has passed, it’s still quite cold.”
“It’s fine, I’ll change later.”
Wu Jingyun casually untied her wet robe, lifting her long skirt and untying her hair.
She picked up the brush and continued washing Meixia, glancing at him sideways with a seductive smile: “Are you shy now, Tianlu?”
“Cough!”
Lin Tianlu chuckled awkwardly and tried to appear calm: “After all, Martial Aunt, your figure is… quite alluring, few men in this world could resist such charm.”
Especially now, with her robe half-open, her fair and delicate skin exposed, the high slit in her skirt revealing her long and shapely legs, smooth and lustrous like ivory, her curves even more pronounced, truly a breathtaking beauty.
“But… at least you seem able to resist.” Wu Jingyun’s voice was soft and gentle, her face filled with affection, her eyes alluring.
Lin Tianlu was about to speak when Meixia suddenly stuck out her tongue and licked his face again.
“…”
“Neigh!” Meixia snorted and twitched her ears.
Seeing Lin Tianlu’s stiff expression, Wu Jingyun couldn’t help but chuckle, her cheeks flushing slightly: “This girl is truly attached to you.”
“But her way of showing affection is a bit… much.” Lin Tianlu smiled wryly and continued washing Meixia, making the little mare close her eyes comfortably.
But then, a gust of Yin energy suddenly blew from the side, and Lin Tianlu glanced towards Mao Ruoyu, his brow furrowing slightly: “Will Ruoyu’s secret technique truly work?”
She had been silently meditating in the pavilion for a while now, but there hadn’t been any changes.
Wu Jingyun’s smile faded slightly, and she looked over and murmured: “Condensing one’s Primordial Demon Form shouldn’t be difficult for Ruoyu with her current cultivation level. After all, most disciples reach the Crimson Demon Realm after condensing their Primordial Demon Form, and she’s doing it the other way around, it should be much easier for her.
Most importantly, you’ve been guiding and explaining the Lunar Valley techniques to her these past few days, Tianlu. And after re-cultivating, although her realm hasn’t changed, she’s completely different from before.”
Saying this, the beautiful and mature woman sighed inwardly with emotion.
She had seen everything that had happened these past few days.
To prevent Ruoyu from having to fight and kill, relying on life-or-death situations to improve, her son-in-law had truly displayed astonishing abilities.
In just a short while, he had completely “restructured” Ruoyu’s cultivation method, not only making it easier for her to advance, but those profound mental techniques were truly…
Even with her experience and knowledge, she had never seen anything like it, truly a heaven-sent opportunity, perfectly tailored for Mao Ruoyu.
“Ha—”
Lin Tianlu grinned.
But in his opinion, that Lunar Valley cultivation method was just the basics, whether it was effective or not remained to be seen. If she wanted to condense her so-called Primordial Demon Form, it was better to look at some ‘examples’… Hmm?
A sudden inspiration flashed through his mind.
Without hesitation, he put down the brush and quickly walked towards Mao Ruoyu.
Wu Jingyun quickly covered Meixia’s mouth and whispered: “Be quiet, don’t disturb them.”
“…”
Lin Tianlu rubbed his chin, looking at his beautiful wife.
Although Mao Ruoyu’s expression was calm, her occasionally furrowed brows and the flickering Yin energy around her showed that she was still struggling to find the correct method for condensing her Primordial Demon Form, her patience and energy gradually being depleted.
“She’s overthinking things, unable to find a ‘direction’.”
Lin Tianlu mused inwardly: “Perhaps, I can give her some guidance.”
Then, he raised his right hand and placed it on Mao Ruoyu’s forehead.
Entering her mind, he would communicate with her through their souls.
…
Chaos, emptiness.
Mao Ruoyu’s eyes were unfocused as she floated in a dark and endless void.
Her Moon Shadow Breath and Yin energy flowed slowly through her body, nourishing every inch of her flesh, blood, bones, and meridians.
But besides that, there was only silence.
She couldn’t find the path forward, couldn’t grasp her own origin. It was like being trapped in a quagmire, sinking deeper and deeper, without any chance of escape.
“What should I…”
But just then, Mao Ruoyu was suddenly startled, her gaze fixed on a mysterious light erupting in the distance.
Instantly, a vast and boundless soul power seemed to descend, illuminating the darkness.
Like an opening had been created, a faint mist spread, quickly transforming this place into a celestial paradise, a world of immortal mountains.
The scenery had completely changed.
Mao Ruoyu landed lightly on a mountain peak, looking around in surprise: “This… is Mount Taiyi, inside my husband’s body?”
This familiar scenery was truly unforgettable.
But Mao Ruoyu’s heart was also filled with confusion.
Why would this scenery appear in her mind during her meditation?
Was it because she missed him so much, or…
Her gaze suddenly sharpened as she looked towards a flat area surrounded by peach blossom trees.
A white-haired figure, its back straight and its aura ethereal, sat at the ancient stone table, as if it possessed a natural Dao rhythm, like the only being in this world— Looking closely, she couldn’t sense any aura fluctuations from this figure, as if it was just a blurry illusion, its true nature hard to grasp.
“What… what’s going on?”
As Mao Ruoyu was still bewildered, her pupils suddenly constricted as she saw the person sitting opposite the ethereal figure.
Dressed in a golden-red robe and skirt, a high slit revealing her long and shapely legs clad in black silk, her voluptuous figure leaning lazily against the table, her chin resting on her hand, a seductive and mischievous smile on her breathtakingly beautiful face.
“Is that… me?!”
“Foolish woman, you finally arrived.”
‘Mao Ruoyu’ raised her crimson lips, a playful smile on her face: “Why don’t you meet our ‘guest’?”
“This… this person—”
A sense of unease arose in Mao Ruoyu’s heart as she hesitantly approached.
She had seen this profound and unfathomable figure from behind countless times.
And now, she finally had the opportunity to meet them face to face, to uncover the truth.
“—Ruoyu.”
A calm and gentle voice suddenly echoed.
Hearing the voice, Mao Ruoyu stopped abruptly, her surprised expression replacing her previous bewilderment.
Then, the ‘ethereal figure’ turned around and chuckled: “Come and sit down, we’ve been waiting for you, all we need is some tea.”
Looking at the familiar face of her beloved, Mao Ruoyu’s heart eased, and all her worries and confusion vanished, replaced by a gentle smile: “My husband.”
