This is not how immortals cultivate

Chapter 382 The emperor dies

The Peerless Palace, a small grotto in the cold pool.

After the sword competition ended, Xiang Yuan left first, citing the inconvenience of revealing her identity as 'Yin Shuang', thus leaving the Wushuang Palace's ranks.

Arrive here honestly and find Bai Wuyan to pay the difference in entrance fees to Wushuang Palace.

Bai Wuyan sat cross-legged in mid-air, her eyes half-open and half-closed, her long eyelashes covered in frost. Her white clothes were cold and aloof, with a hint of coldness and frost condensing on them. She had not yet fully refined the medicinal power. When she saw Xiang Yuan suddenly break in, she slowly looked over.

Xiang Yuan stood on the ice, above the cold pool, and when he saw Bai Wuyan looking at him, he quickly raised his hand.

"Wait a moment!"

He stomped down hard, shattering the ice beneath his feet, took off his black clothes, folded them into neat squares and placed them aside, then jumped into the water and rinsed himself off.

Every time we meet, they tear off each other's clothes. Do they have a gold mine at home? They're so wasteful!
He needs to save money to get married!

Today, Bai Wuyan didn't have to lift a finger; he took it off himself.

Speaking of which, in the cultivation world, there is an external defense called 'Body Protective Armor'. Even if it's not a magic weapon, it still offers considerable protection. Almost every female cultivator in the Nascent Soul stage that Xiang Yuan knows has one, ensuring that they won't experience the embarrassing situation of being exposed during battle.

For example, Xiao Lingyue's black everyday clothes were a protective garment.

If Xiang Yuan is unhappy that Bai Wuyan's clothes are torn every time they meet, he can simply find a protective garment to wear...

Uh, it's good quality and more tear-resistant.

That's not the point. What he meant was, even if Li Xianyuan is three feet above the sky, how could he not find a protective robe to beg for alms?
The key point is that it's unnecessary.

First of all, his thick skin surpasses 99% of protective armor, which is dispensable and meaningless.

Secondly, if you encounter someone you can't beat, you can knock them down with one punch without needing to use the protective armor. If you can't beat them, you will have to use your three-headed, six-armed form.

Ordinary clothes would be fine if they got damaged, but protective armor...

It's secondary if it breaks; the real fear is that it won't explode during the transformation and will turn into small strips of cloth binding the three-headed, six-armed Dharma form.

That three-headed, six-armed lump, with a few strips of cloth tied around its body, the image is too beautiful to bear, just thinking about it is terrifying.

That's why he didn't always choose the protective armor.

Bai Wuyan stared expressionlessly at Xiang Yuan, who was soaking in the ice water, watching him scrub himself clean before finally asking quietly, "What are you doing?"

"Only after being thoroughly cleaned can the White House be put to good use!"

Xiang Yuan said matter-of-factly, knowing that Bai Wuyan was a germaphobe, that he would do it himself and save money on a piece of clothing.

Don't underestimate a single piece of clothing; little by little, it can add up to enough to furnish your home.

Living frugally is not shameful!
"I never said I wanted to get medicine."

"..."

Then you didn't tell me earlier!
Xiang Yuan was speechless. Bai Wuyan watched him intently until he finished washing before speaking. What a boring person!

"Since you're so willing, why not grant your wish this once?" Bai Wuyan nodded lightly.

With a wave of her hand, she pulled the naked Xiang Yuan in front of her, sat him cross-legged, and began to suck blood from his neck.

Hey, you woman, you're doing this on purpose, aren't you!
Xiang Yuan was full of complaints. Suddenly, the switch occurred, and he became the one initiating the action. Dissatisfied, he grabbed Xiang Yuan's buttocks with his large hand, using considerable force.

Bai Wuyan tasted it for a moment, then pressed the tip of her tongue against the artery in Xiang Yuan's neck to temporarily stop the bleeding, and said, "Have you obtained the opportunity within the Lesser Cave Heaven?"

Xiang Yuan nodded in agreement and then recounted the results of the sword competition. Xiao Dongtian couldn't withstand Xiao Lingyue and Shang Qingmeng's antics. The two women didn't have the intention to cause trouble wherever they went, and due to space limitations, the match ended in a draw.

Bai Wuyan nodded and continued to draw blood. She knew Shang Qingmeng well and was also very clear about how much effort Su Ran Sword Master had put into Shang Qingmeng.

Xiao Lingyue was able to fight Shang Qingmeng to a draw, partly due to the limitations of the venue, and partly because... well, you could say she was very diligent in dual cultivation.

Bai Wuyan wasn't lying; she truly had no intention of drawing blood today. It was only because Xiang Yuan insisted that she cooperated. She only managed to sip a cup of tea before getting up and stopping.

Xiang Yuan felt embarrassed and ashamed. He thought to himself that if he had known there was no entrance fee today, he would have just gone to Xiao Lingyue's courtyard to wait.

"Don't put on your clothes yet, you'll have to take them off later."

Just as Xiang Yuan turned to change his clothes, Bai Wuyan stopped him, pointing a finger in mid-air, twisting space, and opening a doorway.

Similar to the white light portal of the Yanfu Sect, it is an advanced technique of teleportation, which piqued Xiang Yuan's interest at first glance.

"Now that you have obtained the opportunity of the Sword Heart Pavilion's small grotto-heaven and acquired one of the five elements, you should continue your efforts to strive for the perfection of the five elements' merits. I happen to know of such a treasure land," Bai Wuyan said.

Rich women are so nice!

The image of a woman three thousand years older than herself, destined for a life of luxury, is immediately apparent. Xiang Yuan, enjoying a life of ease, sighs with envy.

Xiang Yuan picked up the clothes on the ground and wrapped them around his waist before following Bai Wuyan into the doorway.

Deep within the earth, the rock strata suddenly fractured, revealing a bottomless abyss.

Heat waves surged forth from the abyss like a raging tide, the air twisted and steamed in the high temperature, and the fire poison permeated the air; inhaling even a single breath would cause a burning pain in the lungs.

The surrounding stone walls were scorched dark red by the subterranean fire, and their surfaces were covered with honeycomb-like holes. Each hole was filled with thin streams of molten lava, like thousands of intertwined blood vessels, which made the entire cavern appear scarlet and eerie.

A long, red river, several tens of feet wide, stretched across the depths of the rift, still and windless, its crimson light twisting and turning. A venomous sound seemed to emanate from it, impacting the primordial spirit, leaving one mentally and physically exhausted, and in a daze, one only wanted to leap into the river and merge with it.

Countless natural caves are embedded in the stone walls like a honeycomb, with deep and winding interiors leading to unknown destinations. The lingering sounds of resentment and malice emit a shrill, ghostly wail, as if thousands of vengeful spirits are wailing on the banks of the other side of the river.

In this desolate place where life was fading away, Xiang Yuan saw many living creatures.

On the cliff face grow strangely shaped natural treasures, twisted and unrecognizable, but every single one of them is entirely red.

Another six-winged centipede roams the hive, devouring rocks and obtaining metal ores to refine its body. Its size ranges from an arm's length to the size of an earth dragon. It sometimes flaps its wings, sometimes strides with its thousand legs, and its colorful tentacles rustle through the hot air, making a chilling sound.

Earth Dragon Fortress!
Ancient Styx Road!

The six-winged centipede, also known as the six-winged trap dragon, is a venomous dragon unique to the Styx Ancient Road, living hundreds of miles below the Earth Dragon Fortress.

Looking around and then at the enormous centipede, one can deduce that this place is not just hundreds of miles underground, but most likely the core of the Styx Ancient Road.

Bai Wuyan appeared out of thin air, her palace attire wafting a faint white light. Instantly, she felt a burning heat and said bluntly, "The Styx Ancient Road is not an underground river, nor is it connected to the Yellow Springs on the other side. This place was formed from the head of a celestial being."

Countless years ago, the head of a god fell to earth, spilling divine blood, distorting the laws of heaven and earth, changing the surrounding shape, and forming the unique landscape beneath Earth Dragon Fortress.

The so-called Styx Ancient Road is actually the capillary network of the head of a god.

Xiang Yuan listened in astonishment, gaining a more direct impression of how whales bring life to all things.

The Styx Ancient Road stretches for countless miles, with numerous mineral veins and inexhaustible natural treasures, supporting countless people. Numerous cultivators have made bold speculations about the formation of the Styx Ancient Road, with the spillage of divine blood being the most widely accepted one.

They were too timid; what spilled out wasn't divine blood, but a head.

If the head is this big, how big must the fallen god be? Could he stand upright and reach the sky?

"If you can refine the Emperor's Blood, you can naturally refine the Ten-Thousand-Year-Old Essence Below. The divine blood here has long been transformed into rare and precious materials. With a little refinement, it can be used to guide medicine into the body. In addition, there are two other elements of the Five Elements: Earth and Fire. It is a rare and great fortune," Bai Wuyan said.

Xiang Yuan nodded first, then shook his head: "Refining is not difficult, the key is that the resentment here is heavy, and the fallen god curses every visitor. Without his permission, it is difficult for me to take away the opportunity."

Xiang Yuan had dealt with the blood pool beneath the Earth Dragon Fortress before and was very experienced. He knew that before the medicine was put into the body, Chan'er needed to use the Reincarnation Mirror to check it.

Only after the illusory image of the Yellow Spring Mother Tree drags away the resentment can the Blood Pool truly be called a fortunate opportunity.

Otherwise, although he was not afraid of the deadly poison below, it would be difficult for him to refine it into his body.

"No problem, I have my own way."

Bai Wuyan raised her hand and a Reincarnation Relic appeared in her palm. She tossed it into the air, sat cross-legged, and chanted incantations.

The venomous voices gathered in a visible form, transforming from the intangible into the tangible. The whispers of curses surged into the Relic of Reincarnation in the form of gray mist, disappearing into it and vanishing to an unknown destination.

Xiang Yuan was extremely surprised, as this was the first time he had ever heard that the Reincarnation Relic and the Yellow Spring Mother Tree had the same effect.

Previously, he had seen extraterrestrial demons use the Reincarnation Relic to descend across realms in their true form, and he had always thought that the Reincarnation Relic had only this one use.

Furthermore, the Reincarnation Relic is the mission objective; without submitting it, the Gate of Jambudvipa cannot be opened.

Is this the reason why Bai Wuyan had difficulty traversing the Three Thousand Worlds, and thus used him to enter the Desolate Ancient Realm?
Not right either.

Bai Wuyan refused to hand over the mission objective, and even when he opened the door, she couldn't get in.

Bai Wuyan is Bai Feng. Her control over Yanfu Sect is higher than his, Xiao Lingyue's, and Chan'er's. She obtained Yanfu Sect the earliest, has the highest authority, and knows the most secrets. She may have already learned the superior method of exploiting bugs.

Xiang Yuan, filled with curiosity, asked, "Senior Sister Bai Feng, since the Reincarnation Relic is called a relic, is it something that was transformed from the body of a powerful being after death?"

"Yes."

Bai Wuyan could not perfectly control the Reincarnation Relic, and forcibly taking away the resentment was a great drain on her energy.

In no time, she was drenched in sweat. Fine beads of sweat from her forehead slid down her cheeks and condensed into glistening droplets on her chin. A few strands of her hair were damp and clung to her neck.

The white palace dresses were much more transparent, and the outline of the collarbone could even be seen at the collar.

The Cloud-Woven Celestial Robe is her magic weapon for cultivating both body and spirit. The fact that it can be soaked with sweat shows that she expends a great deal of mental energy, and also demonstrates the high difficulty of controlling the Reincarnation Relic.

Having seen far more erotic scenes, Xiang Yuan found this one rather ordinary and continued, "Senior Sister Bai Feng, do you know which powerful figure this is?"

"Six Paths!"

Six Paths of Reincarnation?

A storm raged in Xiang Yuan's heart. He was astonished that the Six Paths of Reincarnation was a deity who had fallen. In an instant, countless new questions arose in his mind, such as "Who is she?" He blurted out, his eyes burning with anticipation for Bai Wuyan's reply.

Bai Wuyan simply shook her head slightly and said, "I cannot mention who 'she' is. I can only say that you have already met 'her'."

A thunderclap exploded in Xiang Yuan's ears; similar words had been spoken to him by his dim-witted master.

"Don't waste time. It's not easy for me to control the Reincarnation Relic. Go down quickly to refine the great medicine."

Bai Wuyan's face flushed from exertion. After speaking, she closed her eyes and, with all her might, controlled the Reincarnation Relic. The resentment that surged like a tide changed from gray to black, its color deepening until it was pitch black.

It's not as effective as the Yellow Springs Mother Tree!
Xiang Yuan commented on Chan'er's performance, remarking that everyone has their own expertise, and that the Yellow Spring Mother Tree has a special attack against Ghost-type monsters, so Chan'er wouldn't have expended so much energy.

Suddenly, his pupils contracted sharply.

The Reincarnation Relic is formed from the fall of the Six Realms, and is inherently related to reincarnation. The Yellow Spring Mother Tree is a symbol of reincarnation. Even if the two are not one, they must be closely related.

Is the missing root of the Yellow Spring Mother Tree related to the fall of the Six Paths?
"Go down!"

"Oh."

Hearing the rich woman urging him on, Xiang Yuan obediently gathered the clothes around his waist, squatted down, cleaved through the waves of heat, and plunged into the Red River with a splash, stirring up torrents that crashed against the rock walls.

The splashing water startled many of the six-winged Sky Dragons that were gnawing on rocks and metal. They were enjoying their meal when this unexpected incident caused them to roar in dissatisfaction.

Several empty-headed six-winged sky dragons swooped down from the sky and plunged headfirst into the Red River, intending to teach Xiang Yuan a lesson and make him understand table manners.

It went down and never came back up, merging into the world and transforming into boiling medicinal power.

Seeing this, the other six-winged Void Dragons hurriedly stopped their charge, roared twice, indicating that eating was more important, and that they should let Xiang Yuan live first, and then come back to cause trouble for him after they had eaten their fill.

He turned and left, never to return.

Although he lacks common sense, he is full of the will to survive and his life instincts are at their peak.

Meanwhile, Xiang Yuan plunged into the Red River. Without any interference from resentment, or rather, the interference from resentment was not strong, and he easily refined the medicinal power into his body.

The evaluation is acceptable. It is more potent than the previous Blood Pool Medicine, stronger than Moon Marrow Jade Liquid and Earth Vein Fire Marrow, but far less domineering than Emperor Blood.

It's impossible to expect to be completely transformed here, to undergo yet another complete overhaul.

Since he was already there, he didn't mind the situation and frantically absorbed the medicinal power from the distance, refining it into his body. He drew in the red light and let it surge into his body, making the surrounding red water even clearer.

He also absorbed the five elements related to earth and fire into his body, causing the medicinal power to surge and steadily rise towards a qualitative change caused by quantitative change.

High in the sky, Bai Wuyan felt somewhat powerless. She took out a bottle of pills and swallowed them. Seeing that the furnace had been strengthened again, she nodded secretly and continued to use the Reincarnation Relic to sweep away the resentment.

After an incense stick had burned, Bai Wuyan put away the Reincarnation Relic, sat cross-legged in mid-air, and quietly regulated her breathing.

At this moment, most of the resentment in the abyss had dissipated, and the remaining remnants would not cause much interference to Xiang Yuan's refining of the medicinal power.

Bai Wuyan had no intention of dispelling all the resentment; it would be a thankless task to clear this space, only benefiting those who came after.

She only needs to take care of her own furnace; she has no interest in the life or death of others.

Three days later, Xiang Yuan leaped out of the clear water, took his clothes and wrapped them around his waist, looking at Bai Wuyan with a puzzled expression, wondering why she didn't throw herself into his arms this time.

Is the big medicine no longer appealing?
Soon, Xiang Yuan understood the reason.

Unless absolutely necessary, the White House Master would not take a bath in another's bathroom. He carried Xiang Yuan back to the Wushuang Palace Small Cave, threw him in to rinse off, then took off his clothes and found a private seat at the bottom of the pool.

Xiang Yuan embraced her graceful figure, closed her eyes, and her primordial spirit flowed into her. Both sides got what they needed, and the cooperation was very pleasant.

After only half a day, the White House Chief was too drunk to drink anymore, and exclaimed that with such a cauldron in hand, what great things could not be accomplished?

She knew that Xiang Yuan came to Wushuang Palace and only saw her by chance, and that he was here for Xiao Lingyue. After floating up, she rinsed the person off the water before throwing her out.

……

Having left the small cave, Xiang skillfully scaled the wall and arrived at Xiao Lingyue's courtyard. As soon as he landed, he saw Xiao Lingyue standing in the training ground with her sword in hand.

Xiao Lingyue was pondering with her eyes closed, recalling her battle with Shang Qingmeng, when she heard the sound of hands rubbing together. Her lips twitched, and she opened her beautiful eyes to look over.

Why does the protective array of Wushuang Palace ignore you?
Why did you return to Wushuang Palace ahead of schedule, but then disappear for three whole days? Where did you hide during those days?
Xiao Lingyue stared speechlessly at the shameless man, opened her mouth, but ultimately didn't ask the question.

The two scoundrels are cheating on her, what more do they want!

"Madam, what is the reason for your troubled expression? Are you still thinking about Shang Qingmeng of Jianxinzhai?"

Xiang Yuan leaned forward and pointed at Cheng Jian, gesturing with his fingers: "I'm not trying to be mean, but you're a married man, how come you're still getting entangled with other women outside!"

This counterattack, a move that required nearly twenty years of experience, made Xiao Lingyue both angry and annoyed. She snorted coldly, "I gained a lot from sparring with Fairy Shang. She is much stronger than you. I just enjoy being entangled with her."

"I hope you can remain this optimistic in the future..."

Xiang Yuan muttered something, put his arm around Xiao Lingyue's shoulder, and led her into the house. He said with a serious expression, "Madam, I just went to the Wushuang Palace's treasure pavilion to observe the cultivation techniques. I gained a lot and have a deeper understanding of the principles of heaven and earth passed down by Wushuang Palace. I will now pass them on to you."

"..."

Her name is Bai Wuyan, and she is the Palace Master of Wushuang Palace, not the Wushuang Palace Treasure Pavilion!
Xiao Lingyue was furious. She pried open Xiang Yuan's clothes and bit down on the tooth mark she hadn't used in a long time to show her dissatisfaction.

As usual, we disinfect before eating.

Xiang Yuan made two "hissing" sounds, then held Xiao Lingyue cross-legged on the couch, his primordial spirit flowing in to aid her cultivation.

The effects of the medicine in his body increased significantly, and Xiao Lingyue could no longer hold on after a short while. She looked at Xiang Yuan with a strange expression, as if her husband was living off her outside and earning money to support the family.

Xiang Yuan blinked, admiring his beautiful wife, and couldn't help but kiss her forehead.

With just a kiss, the House of Commons swiftly passed a bill authorizing the allocation of funds.

For three to five days in a row, Xiang Yuan stayed in Xiao Lingyue's courtyard, guiding her in both immortal cultivation and Taoist cultivation.

Bang bang bang!
"Junior Sister Xiao, why are you closing the door in broad daylight!"

That noon, when the sun was high in the sky, Cheng Yuling suddenly knocked on the door, her voice loud: "Junior sister, open the door! Something terrible has happened!"

On the bed, Xiao Lingyue hurriedly put on her clothes. She didn't even have time to put on the sash, so she tucked it under her pillow. She then transmitted her voice to Xiang Yuan beside her, "Hurry up and move around. Go anywhere, just don't let Mother see you."

What do you mean "anywhere is fine"? You really think I'm the most precious treasure of your sect?
Xiang Yuan pulled up his belt, quickly put on his clothes, and looked around: "It's okay, Senior Sister Cheng is only at the Innate Stage. I'll hide in the closet, she won't find out."

Why a wardrobe?

Xiao Lingyue couldn't hold back any longer and sneaked into the backyard of Prince Zhao's mansion, which was the beginning of an affair.

She is Xiang Yuan's soon-to-be lawfully wedded wife. Even if she doesn't hide, it's better than hiding her in the closet!
It's better to just leave it at that than to be caught by my mother and subjected to endless questioning.

How shameful it is to have physical intimacy before marriage!
"Hiding in the wardrobe is to repay Senior Sister Cheng for a favor."

Xiang Yuan picked up his shoes, slipped into the wardrobe, and said before closing the door, "When my father-in-law came to see me last time, my mother hid in the wardrobe."

"???"

Xiao Lingyue had just finished dressing and hadn't even had time to tidy her long, disheveled hair when she heard this. She stumbled and stared in disbelief at the tightly closed wardrobe doors.

Come out here and explain yourself!
"Lingyue, what are you doing in the house? If you don't open the door, I'm going to barge in!"

Outside, Cheng Yuling's voice suddenly rose.

Xiao Lingyue snapped out of her daze, waved her hand to disperse the gust of wind, and silently shook open the window, letting out the not-so-fresh air from the room.

She slowly stepped forward, opened the door sleepily, and said irritably, "Senior Sister Cheng, I told you, cultivators inevitably have times when they need to go into seclusion. It's not that I'm avoiding you, but you always disturb people's peace and quiet."

In Wushuang Palace, this is the kind of scene they share: no mother and daughter, only a gossipy senior sister and an annoying junior sister.

Cheng Yuling didn't reply. She crouched down and crawled into the room, looked around, and walked suspiciously toward the wardrobe.

"Senior Sister Cheng!"

Xiao Lingyue raised her hand and pressed down on Cheng Yuling's shoulder, her face tense. She applied slight pressure with her fingers, causing Cheng Yuling to cry out in pain.

After breaking free, Cheng Yuling glanced at the wardrobe again, her gaze lingering on Xiao Lingyue: "The child has grown up, and has already learned to have secret rendezvous behind his mother's back..."

"Cough, cough, cough!"

Xiao Lingyue clenched her fist and coughed repeatedly, thinking to herself that the Zhao Prince's Mansion had caused a lot of trouble, and even this couldn't be hidden. She changed the subject and asked, "Senior Sister Cheng, what serious thing has happened?"

"Oh no, this distraction made me forget what I was doing."

Cheng Yuling looked at Xiao Lingyue with a solemn expression: "A message has come from the Prince Zhao's residence: the Emperor has passed away!"

"Ah? Oh! Yeah."

Xiao Lingyue was startled at first, then nodded: "It is indeed a big deal, so Senior Sister Cheng is preparing to return to Prince Zhao's residence and go to the capital with Prince Zhao to offer condolences?"

It's just the death of an emperor, what's the big deal? Why get so worked up? You almost broke the door.

"Lingyue, it wasn't just the emperor who died; all the members of the imperial family who were supposed to inherit the throne... are dead!"

Cheng Yuling lowered her voice: "Your father... his current situation could be good or bad."

"Gulp!" x2
Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

10,000 words, please vote with monthly tickets!

(End of this chapter)