Chapter 413: Lofty Ancestral Shadows, Reunion with the Mountain Spirit
Lin Tianlu was undoubtedly the one who appeared before her.
Mao Ruoyu hurriedly approached him, looking at him curiously: “Why are you here, husband? And dressed like this?”
Lin Tianlu said gently: “I saw you struggling, so I came to help. As for my attire—”
He tugged at his clothes and chuckled: “Returning to this place, I naturally reverted back to this form.”
Mao Ruoyu looked at his silver hair in surprise:
“But why has your hair also turned…?”
“All my wives have white hair, wouldn’t it be strange if I had black hair?”
Lin Tianlu smiled, half-jokingly: “Besides, this is a spiritual realm, it doesn’t matter how I look, we might even look more like a couple this way. But if you don’t like it, Ruoyu, I can change back.”
Mao Ruoyu suddenly understood, finding it a bit amusing.
“You’re spoiling me too much, my husband.”
“If it weren’t for my love and affection, how could you, a foolish woman, have returned to this place?”
‘Mao Ruoyu’, sitting beside them, narrowed her crimson eyes and smiled seductively and provocatively: “You might still be lost and confused in that chaotic sea of consciousness, failing repeatedly and returning in tears.”
Mao Ruoyu blushed slightly and gave her a playful glare: “What nonsense are you talking about?!”
But after a moment of hesitation, she couldn’t help but frown:
“When did you… arrive here? And why are you with my husband?”
“Time flows differently in this immortal mountain realm. To you, it might have been just an instant, but to me, it’s been quite a while.”
‘Mao Ruoyu’ tilted her head slightly and smiled playfully: “Since the master of this consciousness is still in a daze outside, I, as the second master, naturally have to take responsibility and… entertain our husband properly.”
Saying this, she extended her hand, her fingers, adorned with rings, gently brushing against the back of Lin Tianlu’s hand, a seductive and playful gesture.
“Perhaps we even… enjoyed ourselves a bit~”
“…”
Mao Ruoyu’s eye twitched slightly.
Lin Tianlu quickly withdrew his hand and coughed lightly: “Don’t be angry, Ruoyu, we were just playing Go and chatting, nothing inappropriate.”
“Hu—”
Mao Ruoyu took a deep breath and calmed herself.
Ignoring the other her’s teasing gaze, she asked calmly: “Husband, you said you wanted to help me, how…?”
Hearing her mention the serious matter, Lin Tianlu also smiled and spread his hands: “Sit down first, let’s talk.”
“Mm.”
Although Mao Ruoyu was still puzzled, she obediently sat down between them.
“I’ve also asked Martial Aunt about the Primordial Demon Form these past few days.”
Lin Tianlu smiled gently and said calmly: “This so-called ‘demon form,’ rather than a bloodline awakening, is more like a transformation, an extension of one’s cultivation. Whether it’s Martial Aunt, First Elder, Bai Xin, or the others, they all transform into half-human, half-serpent beings. This is one of the characteristics of the ‘Earth Mother Clan’.”
“I understand that.” Mao Ruoyu frowned slightly: “But even though I know the mental techniques and formulas, and my cultivation is sufficient, I still can’t activate it.”
Lin Tianlu smiled and raised a finger: “What you lack… is ‘imagination’.”
Mao Ruoyu was slightly stunned: “Imagination?”
“Just like the techniques we use.”
Lin Tianlu opened his palm, a miniature black sword, condensed from spiritual energy, appearing and spinning rapidly.
“We use our soul power and will to control spiritual energy, and techniques to shape it, creating this spiritual energy sword.”
“I understand that, but the Primordial Demon Form isn’t…”
“Of course, I’m not asking you to create a snake-like outer shell with your Yin energy, Ruoyu.” Lin Tianlu dispersed the miniature sword and tapped his chest: “But to… transform your body.”
“My body?” Mao Ruoyu touched her chest blankly.
“This Moon Shadow Secret Technique is ultimately just a method for later generations to imitate the power of our ancestors. Using secret techniques and external objects to modify and refine one’s bloodline, transforming into a descendant of the Earth Mother Clan, that’s how they gained their serpent bodies.”
Lin Tianlu smiled and pointed at her chest: “And what you need to do now, Ruoyu, is to use your will to transform your spirit, merging your spirit and body, so your physical form can transform into that of the Earth Mother Clan, along with your soul.”
Mao Ruoyu was surprised: “Can… can that really be done?”
If one could master the Moon Shadow Secret Technique just through imagination, then why did the disciples in the valley need to endure years of arduous training? Even the elders had to cultivate diligently for decades or even centuries to reach this level.
“It might be difficult to achieve alone.” Lin Tianlu chuckled and spread his hands: “That’s why I’m here to help you, Ruoyu.”
“…”
Mao Ruoyu’s heart stirred as she looked at the surrounding mountain scenery, suddenly understanding.
So, her husband was channeling his soul power into her, directly helping her cultivate!
“You foolish woman, you needed your husband to explain it to you?”
‘Mao Ruoyu’ casually took out a velvet folding fan from between her breasts, covering her face with it, and said with a smile: “You should have understood his intentions the moment you saw this place.”
“I just—” Mao Ruoyu bit her lip and asked with concern: “Husband, is this… too tiring for you?”
Lin Tianlu couldn’t help but smile and gently rubbed her cheek: “It’s nothing, besides, trying this Moon Shadow Secret Technique with you is quite… interesting.”
Mao Ruoyu blushed slightly, but she didn’t hesitate any longer, murmuring shyly: “Since you insist, my husband, then… how do we do it?”
“Look at the snake.”
Lin Tianlu smiled mysteriously and waved his sleeve over the stone table.
A green snake, formed from spiritual energy, appeared on the table, coiling and wriggling, its tongue flicking, incredibly lifelike.
‘Mao Ruoyu’ chuckled softly, reaching out casually, and the translucent green snake quickly slithered onto her arm, coiling around it.
“So you want me to become this clingy little snake, husband?”
She looked at the snake’s head coiled around her arm with interest, her eyes seductive as she glanced at Lin Tianlu: “Perhaps… that wouldn’t be so bad.”
Lin Tianlu smiled and pointed his finger at the snake.
Then, a green light suddenly erupted from within the snake, making both Mao Ruyus freeze slightly.
…
In a daze, her consciousness drifted, as if her body and soul were floating in the air.
“Where is this…?”
After a moment, both Mao Ruyus were stunned as they looked up.
A massive serpent, its body as tall and vast as a mountain, reaching into the clouds, came into view!
“This, this…”
Boundless energy seemed to flow within each of its scales, its thick tail coiling and twisting like an endless mountain range, rivers and valleys below, its power unimaginable.
Although they couldn’t see its face clearly, its majestic aura, even just a glance, felt like the might of heaven descending, making them gasp for breath, their hearts trembling.
Perhaps… this was the true Earth Mother Clan, the Mother of All Things!
Boom——!!
The serpent moved, the earth trembled, a sound like a thunderclap echoing.
Yellow smoke rose, the wind and clouds churned, and chants echoed from all directions.
The two women’s hearts trembled as they watched the colossal serpent slowly move its body, the surrounding mountains and rivers shaking and rumbling, its gaze seemingly falling upon them from the clouds and mist above.
Just a single glance, and it was as if divine might had descended, turning the world within a hundred miles into a bottomless abyss, only endless darkness—
“…”
Mao Ruoyu’s eyes were vacant and unfocused, her body floating as if her soul and consciousness had been taken away.
But a hand, adorned with rings, suddenly reached out from beside her, firmly pinching the soft flesh of her waist and twisting it sharply.
“Ouch!”
Mao Ruoyu cried out in pain, tears welling up in her eyes. She looked back in anguish: “Y-You vicious woman, what are you doing?!”
“Fool! Don’t forget what’s important!” ‘Mao Ruoyu’s’ seductive and mischievous look was gone, her crimson eyes gleaming, her expression serious: “If you lose yourself in this pressure, you’ll be wasting your husband’s efforts!”
“Ugh!” Mao Ruoyu gasped, her mind snapping back, and she looked up at the terrifying figure again, her heart still trembling.
“What should we do now…?”
“Don’t back down, observe carefully.”
As soon as ‘Mao Ruoyu’ finished speaking, the magnificent and breathtaking scene before them changed.
Their vision zoomed out, and they could still vaguely see the colossal serpent, but the sky above was now filled with dark clouds and swirling purple-black lightning.
A deafening roar echoed, and tribulation lightning struck, illuminating the world with a terrifying light brighter than day, making the two women groan and their eyes sting. The sound of the thunder shook their souls, making them dizzy.
“What is… that?”
Mao Ruoyu barely managed to speak, her face pale, her voice hoarse.
“Heavenly Tribulation.” ‘Mao Ruoyu’s’ face was also grim, her pupils constricting and dilating.
“That giant serpent… is undergoing Heavenly Tribulation!”
Boom——!!
The thunder roared again, as if the heavens were collapsing.
With a flash of light, the earth within a hundred miles shattered, mountains and rivers crumbling, flames erupting from the crevices and valleys.
In an instant, before their very eyes, the world had been transformed into a hellish landscape, an apocalypse, filled with towering pillars of fire and lightning, a scorching and terrifying wind tearing at everything, the scorched earth spreading to the horizon. Raising her arms to shield herself from the intense heat and wind, Mao Ruoyu’s heart sank, her eyes flickering in the firelight.
Because amidst the flames and lightning, the towering and unyielding serpent still stood tall, looking up at the endless lightning, its scorched arms spread wide, letting out a defiant and earth-shattering roar!
Raising its head and roaring, its aura was no less imposing than the might of heaven itself. The earth beneath it was revitalized, the pillars of fire and lightning swallowed and transformed by a rosy glow, turning into streaks of azure and purple light, reaching towards the sky!
In an instant, the tribulation lightning and the mysterious light clashed head-on, the impact shaking the scorched earth and dispersing the thunderclouds, silencing the world.
Only a fierce and violent storm raged, a white light erupting, making the two women instinctively grasp each other’s hands, gritting their teeth as they endured the overwhelming pressure, their souls trembling.
“…”
As the wind and heat gradually subsided—
Mao Ruoyu slowly opened her eyes again, looking into the distance with shock and uncertainty.
But at this moment, she couldn’t help but gasp.
Like the sun emerging from the clouds, a brilliant, rosy glow shone down from the sky. And the massive serpent, although its body was scorched and scarred, still stood tall, silently raising its head towards the light.
In a daze, the beautiful woman felt as if this scene was an incredibly beautiful painting, the entire world seemingly converging upon this single figure, standing tall and unyielding against the heavens, its unwavering spirit facing the tribulation, an image deeply imprinted in her heart.
Crack, crack, crack!
Cracks appeared on the serpent’s body, and as the two women watched in surprise, countless fragments broke off and scattered, until it completely collapsed!
Dust and debris swirled, but they couldn’t conceal the radiant figure emerging from within, its arms spread wide, its flawless and rejuvenated body bathed in the rosy glow.
Although its size was much smaller than before, to Mao Ruoyu’s eyes, it was like a peerless treasure, emitting a mesmerizing light.
…
On the peak of Mount Taiyi.
Lin Tianlu sat calmly, looking at the two women beside him.
Their eyes were closed, their expressions changing constantly, a mix of shock, surprise, emotion, and sadness, as if they were immersed in a dream, experiencing its ups and downs.
Just then, Lin Tianlu smiled gently: “Miss, won’t you show yourself?”
“…You… are different from before.”
A cold and ethereal voice suddenly echoed.
A graceful figure, dressed in white, slowly emerged not far away, her long hair like flowing silk, her body faintly visible in the mist, the mountain spirit, Xian’er, who had been living in seclusion within his immortal mountain.
She frowned slightly and said softly: “But looking closely now, you’re also the same.”
“Perhaps it’s because I changed my clothes today, and I look unfamiliar.”
Lin Tianlu smiled and gestured towards the stone stool beside him: “Mountain Spirit Miss, since we’ve met again, why don’t we sit down and chat?”
The ice-like beauty’s expression remained indifferent, but she walked towards him gracefully.
“Those two… their state is strange.”
“They should be… experiencing something right now, it might take a while, but they’ll be fine.”
Lin Tianlu chuckled: “Please have a seat, Mountain Spirit Miss.”
“A dream within a dream, a double layered illusion, truly an incredible technique.” The ice beauty sat down gracefully, her beautiful eyes fixed on Mao Ruoyu’s face.
“I wonder what they’re dreaming about.”
“If you saw it, Miss, you would also be quite shocked.”
Lin Tianlu waved his hand, and two porcelain cups, filled with fragrant tea, appeared on the stone table.
The ice beauty withdrew her gaze, her eyes flickering: “Creating objects with spiritual energy?”
“Mount Taiyi is within me, after all, it’s not difficult to manipulate the spiritual energy here.” Lin Tianlu’s expression was gentle as he gestured: “Please, have some tea, Miss.”
The woman lowered her eyes slightly, picked up the teacup, and took a sip.
“…Good tea.”
“I’m glad you like it.”
Raising her eyes to look at the gentle and refined scholar, the ice beauty murmured: “This mountain contains profound spiritual energy, it’s no ordinary mountain. As the master of Mount Taiyi, you must control it carefully.”
“This mountain…”
Lin Tianlu looked down at his feet and sighed: “It’s truly a mystery, I still don’t know its origins or history.”
His cultivation, the past of Mount Taiyi, it was all a mystery.
The ice beauty’s eyes flickered, and she said calmly: “As a mountain spirit, I advise you to visit other mountains, perhaps you’ll find some answers.”
“Thank you for your advice, Miss.”
Lin Tianlu smiled and cupped his hands: “I’ll explore the world more if I have the chance in the future.”
The ice beauty was silent for a moment, then she turned her head slightly and whispered: “How is… ‘she’ doing now?”
Lin Tianlu was slightly stunned, and he quickly chuckled: “Miss Chi is currently living with my… godmother at the villa. It’s a quiet and peaceful place, quite comfortable.”
“Good.” The ice beauty nodded slightly, her expression seeming to relax a bit.
Lin Tianlu asked curiously: “Do you want to leave this place and go see Miss Chi, Miss?”
“There’s no need.”
The ice beauty put down her teacup and said indifferently: “It’s good that she has returned to the world. And I… am more suited to this Immortal Phoenix Mountain—”
She raised her clear and beautiful eyes: “But if you find me bothersome, I will leave.”
Lin Tianlu quickly waved his hand and chuckled: “Please don’t misunderstand, Miss Xian’er, I’m not trying to drive you away.”
This mountain spirit was incredibly well-behaved, never causing any trouble, even helping to clear the weeds around the mountain peaks, living a quiet and peaceful life.
“…Thank you.”
The ice beauty bit her lip lightly and bowed slightly.
Hum!
But just then, a strange light emanated from Mao Ruoyu.
They both looked at the beautiful woman, who seemed to be absorbing the spiritual energy of this place with every breath.
The ice beauty’s eyes flickered, and she mused: “She is transforming. Perhaps, she’s just a step away from a breakthrough.”
Lin Tianlu, as if anticipating this, smiled and beckoned:
“Come!”
Hiss, hiss, hiss—
A creepy rustling sound echoed from all directions, making the ice beauty’s face pale slightly, but she quickly calmed down and looked around.
Countless snakes, their colors and sizes varied, were slithering towards them from all directions, their appearance sinister and eerie.
“These are…”
“A final gift.”
Lin Tianlu smiled: “There’s quite a variety, so you can have a good look.”
Almost every kind of snake imaginable had gathered, hissing restlessly, their cold eyes fixed on the four figures.
The ice beauty withdrew her gaze and said in a deep voice: “Besides the spiritual energy and the mountain itself, can you control these venomous snakes that were attracted by the spiritual energy?”
“Alone, it might be a bit difficult. I haven’t tried it before.”
Lin Tianlu smiled as he took out a bamboo xiao (vertical flute) and handed it to her.
“But since you’re here, Miss, how about helping me out and playing a duet?”
“…”
The ice beauty was silent.
But after a moment, she took the xiao with her jade-like hand, her expression still cold and aloof, and raised it to her lips: “I only know a little.”
“I’m also a beginner.” Lin Tianlu took out his jade flute and chuckled: “But I’ll try my best to lead, just follow along, Miss.”
“Alright.”
As the shadows of the thousands of snakes converged, Lin Tianlu calmly brought his flute to his lips and played the first note.
A melodious and ethereal flute music echoed, spreading gently from the misty mountain peak, like a clear and gentle mountain stream, flowing into their hearts.
