Mountain and River Festival

Chapter 297 King Yama and Ah Lü

It is said that only Ye Tinglan could see the aura of the dual cultivation of the two women in the "Charming Union" before. Now that so much time has passed, no one should be able to see it anymore, but this Elder Feng still managed to see it.

Is it because he has special expertise in this area, or is it because the quality is so high that it can be seen from actual use, no matter how long it takes?

If it's the former, can you detect the faint aura of dual cultivation between me and your sect leader...?

If it's the latter, what if Yuan Muyu sees it...?

Well, so what if she saw it? It's none of her business.

Lu Xingzhou cautiously said, "I did indeed engage in dual cultivation with members of the Charming Maidens' Joyful Union Sect... Elder Feng's intention is..."

Could it be that they're going to expel us from the Tianyao Holy Land...?

Feng Ziliu saw through his thoughts and said calmly, "If the sect leader doesn't mind, why should I overstep my bounds? I'm asking you this because I'm confused. As far as I know, there are very few people who can cultivate with the members of the Charming Maidens' Joyful Union Sect and still be out of control. Of course, I must find out the truth to avoid harming the sect."

"The fact that they asked for clarification instead of simply kicking them out suggests that the senior also felt there was a high possibility that the situation was out of control?"

"...You're quick to see the truth, that's certainly true."

"Since you think that people who cultivate with the Hehuan Sect of the Maidens are rarely out of control, but judged that I would most likely be fine, it means that you have at least seen others who were fine... otherwise you would not have accepted it so easily."

Feng Ziliu's cheek twitched: "Should I ask you, or should you ask me?"

Lu Xingzhou said, "The other one who is fine is Senior himself, right?"

Feng Ziliu's eyes widened, his expression one of utter horror.

Where did the sect leader find this monster? Oh wait, where did Yuan Muyu find this monster?

Lu Xingzhou said, "I heard that you were once a dashing and heroic figure in the martial world, but later you became disheartened and went into seclusion in the Sutra Repository. Could it be related to the Mysterious Maiden?"

Feng Ziliu was truly exasperated: "Even if the other one was me who was unharmed, how dare you judge that it was Xuan Nu? To have intercourse with Xuan Nu without any problems? Do you really think I'm some kind of deity...?"

"Others don't seem to have the right to get involved with a senior like that," Lu Xingzhou said cautiously. "Is she really not Xuan Nu?"

"I don't know if it's true or not. The Mysterious Maiden has countless incarnations, so it's hard to say." Feng Ziliu was essentially admitting everything, but he was clearly unwilling to discuss it further. He didn't even want to ask about Lu Xingzhou's affairs anymore, and took him to the Five Elements Ruins at breakneck speed.

Lu Xingzhou, on the other hand, kept up the gossip: "If senior really has experience with Xuan Nu and nothing happened, then you must pass it on to your unofficial disciples. I didn't encounter Xuan Nu, but what if I did?"

"You really want to meet the Mystic Maiden!" Feng Ziliu said irritably. "If you're tired of living, you can just find a block of tofu and smash your head against it. Why bother with such complicated questions!"

"The main problem is that this kind of experience is hard to find anywhere in the world. My own master is the only one. If I don't learn from him, it's like ants crawling all over my body. This is why I went into qi deviation in the Five Elements Ruins."

Feng Ziliu was silent for a moment: "I think I misjudged you... How could I have thought you were such a kind and good young man?"

Lu Xingzhou: "...I don't know why you think that way."

Feng Ziliu said speechlessly, "Besides, I'm not your master. Saying I'm an unofficial disciple is just to make your status seem plausible. As for anything else..."

He paused, then said in a low voice, "The Mysterious Art of the Maiden is nothing more than a Yin-Yang method, following an extremely Yin path. You possess the essence of Yin-Yang harmony and the balance of water and fire, making you the best candidate to deal with this art. Why ask me?"

Lu Xingzhou was taken aback: "Senior knows about the Yin-Yang Ultimate Intent Technique?"

"I don't know, but the nature of your cultivation method is easy to determine."

Lu Xingzhou felt somewhat regretful; if he didn't even know such a reclusive master, where else could he possibly find one...?

Seeing his regret, Feng Ziliu suddenly realized: "You searched for so many Yin-Yang related classics to complete your cultivation technique?"

"Yes, I wonder if you have any relevant clues, senior."

“Isn’t this like looking for a donkey while riding one?” Feng Ziliu said. “If anyone in the world has seen this ancient skill, then the most likely candidate is the Mysterious Woman.”

Lu Xingzhou felt a little numb.

Without completing the Yin-Yang Ultimate Technique, it's highly unlikely one would dare face the Mystic Maiden directly. This doesn't refer to engaging in any sexual activity, but rather to possessing a certain level of counter-attack ability and greater confidence in combat. However, the clue to completing the Yin-Yang Ultimate Technique might lie with the Mystic Maiden—isn't this a dead end?
"Furthermore..." Feng Ziliu glanced at Lu Xingzhou, "You always fight with your fists and palms, never bothering to repair your weapons?"

Lu Xingzhou nodded: "I had bad luck in my early years and spent many years in a wheelchair. I was only good at repairing hidden weapons. Now that I can stand up, I don't like to relive the memories of being in a wheelchair. I prefer to fight with my fists and feet. That makes everything feel so real."

Feng Ziliu nodded slightly, completely understanding Lu Xingzhou's feelings.

Lu Xingzhou added, "Anyway, the higher one's martial arts level, the less impact having or not having a weapon has, right?"

“That’s because you haven’t encountered a divine weapon yet. Whether or not you have the advantage of a divine weapon will make a difference… and if you encounter a Taoist cultivator’s magic weapon, you will be at a great disadvantage if you don’t have a flying sword or other weapon to deal with it.” Feng Ziliu said, “However, it is indeed different from the way the presence or absence of a weapon affects you at a lower level. Since you are already used to your fists and feet, it’s fine to continue using your fists and feet. But since you also have Taoist cultivation, you should also consider magic weapons.”

Lu Xingzhou secretly realized that he didn't have high requirements for magical treasures, mainly because he already had the wheelchair and the Myriad Soul Banner. The wheelchair integrated many functions, and the Myriad Soul Banner was incredibly powerful. Magical treasures were valued for their quality, not quantity; many people collected a large number of treasures, but ultimately only a few were truly useful. Therefore, Lu Xingzhou rarely considered acquiring any new magical treasures, and Ye Tinglan also felt they weren't necessary; it was better to focus on the wheelchair's functions.

Otherwise, His Majesty could easily afford to support male lovers for many years with just a casual pull of his wallet...

The problem is that the Ten Thousand Soul Banner is becoming increasingly unsuitable for open use, and it's awkward to use a wheelchair in everyday combat. For example, in this so-called Grand Tournament in the Sea, a perfectly healthy person pulling out a wheelchair to fight is a bit...

"While the sect leader can certainly bestow upon you suitable magical artifacts to prepare for this grand competition, and the level of those artifacts will undoubtedly be considerable, I still believe that no matter how high the grade of someone else's artifact, it can never compare to having one custom-made for you," Feng Ziliu said. "The Five Elements Ruins and the Tomb of Ten Thousand Swords both contain many discarded flying swords and magical artifacts from our predecessors. Using these as a foundation to forge your own artifact is more efficient than creating one from scratch. You might want to keep an eye out for them when you go to the Five Elements Ruins." After all that talk, they finally got to the Five Elements Ruins. Lu Xingzhou humbly asked, "What exactly is the Five Elements Ruins...?"

"Actually, it's the same as the Tomb of Ten Thousand Swords, just a place where our ancestors are buried. Martial cultivators are buried in the Sword Tomb, and Daoist cultivators are buried in the Ruins of the Five Elements. No one built any mausoleums; each person is buried in their own pit. Personal spirit swords or magic treasures have their own spirits. Because they have lost their masters, they often either self-destruct or self-defile themselves, in short, they don't allow later generations to take them at will. That's why I said there will be embryos, not finished products."

"I see."

"Because it contains a wealth of sword intent from the lives of our predecessors, those who come after us often gain a great deal by honing their skills and understanding here. This is not a place for cultivation advancement, but rather a place for honing one's knowledge—who knows, you might even find the Yin-Yang Ultimate Intent you desire here?"

As they spoke, they could vaguely see ruins below, with tombstones and mounds standing like a forest.

The two stopped flying, and Feng Ziliu said, "This is the place. Don't be fooled by its eerie appearance; these are the spirits of our predecessors. They won't harm you... Uh, wait, your words might be a bit special. I wonder if the ancestors would recognize you..."

Lu Xingzhou cupped his hands and said, "This junior has come with good intentions, and the spirits of our ancestors will naturally not make things difficult for us."

"The sect leader does trust your good intentions." Feng Ziliu recalled his misjudgment of this person's "kindness" and looked at him distrustfully again: "I hope you won't be killed by the ancestors. Go."

A gentle breeze carried Lu Xingzhou into the entrance of the Stele Forest below.

The first thing you see is four large characters: Ruins of the Five Elements.

Most Taoist cultivators practice the Five Elements method. I won't go into detail about the Five Elements that I've seen with the naked eye. Methods like the Heaven-Turning Seal may not look like the Five Elements, but they are actually just variations of the Earth element. The Yin Corpse method, including Lu Xingzhou's Soul Banner, is also essentially a combination of Earth and Fire elements.

The next level above the Four Symbols and Five Elements is the Two Forms, namely Yin and Yang. Few people directly cultivate Yin and Yang; they all start with the more branching Five Elements to gradually touch the main Two Forms, and then touch the most fundamental Dao.

Lu Xingzhou appears to be directly cultivating the Yin-Yang method, but in reality, he starts with water and fire and then explores higher levels of Yin-Yang.

Ye Tinglan is definitely one of those who has already transcended the Five Elements and evolved into Yin and Yang.

Her ethereal hand and dazzling divine sword, among other techniques, no longer bear the mark of the Five Elements; they have advanced to something more fundamental.

This is what is known as "Tianyao Xuanyue".

At this moment, the ruins of the Five Elements and the methods of our predecessors can definitely provide Lu Xingzhou with more references, allowing him to take a more solid step in exploring Yin and Yang.

As soon as he stepped inside, Lu Xingzhou wanted to back away.

A sharp will pierced straight into the soul sea, condensing into a soul voice: "How dare you, a heretical cultivator of the Soul Banner, enter the Five Elements Ruins!"

"Damn it." Lu Xingzhou flew back, but he was surrounded by ice crystals.

"There's even an evil technique called 'Enchanting Union'... How could such a thing have gotten inside? Has the Heavenly Yao Holy Land been destroyed?"

"Did evil magic eat your rice?" Lu Xingzhou was really annoyed: "How come even a ghost can see the traces of the 'Dual Cultivation of the Maidens'? Who can I hide it from?"

Meanwhile, in the capital city...

In a certain restaurant, Pei Chuyun followed her master, Xuan Nu, and curiously stepped into a secluded private room.

Master said that there was an important guest today, and he would introduce her to the top demon lords of the underworld.

Upon entering the room, one sees a graceful figure in purple robes looking at a painting on the wall with her hands behind her back. From her back, one cannot tell at all what kind of demon king she is; on the contrary, she seems quite beautiful, just a young girl.

Sensing the two entering, the girl in purple turned her head.

A cold, menacing face, resembling that of a demon king, appeared before them. Its chilling eyes stared at the two, and the metallic sound, amplified by the mask, sent shivers down their spines: "You're too late."

King Yama!

Pei Chuyun's heart skipped a beat. The mere fact that she was ranked third in the world was enough to make anyone's heart pound, not to mention the murderous intent and pressure she was exuding at the moment was indeed ridiculously great.

But Pei Chuyun overcame her initial nervousness and quickly calmed down.

It's just Yama... How could this little vixen, who's done everything with Lu Xingzhou, not see her lover's special feelings for Yama? Besides, she'd overheard the whole conversation between Lu Xingzhou and Ye Wufeng, so she knew it all perfectly well.

Wearing a mask to scare people... Your man is awesome.

As if sensing that Pei Chuyun's gaze was not friendly, Yuan Muyu frowned slightly beneath her mask and said coldly, "Is this the Holy Maiden of your sect this generation?"

The Mystic Maiden laughed and said, "That's right, let her broaden her horizons and pay her respects to King Yama."

Yuan Muyu said, "You must be eighteen or nineteen years old?"

Xuan Nu thought Yuan Muyu meant that she had reached the third rank at such a young age, so she smiled and said, "Yun'er's talent is quite good."

"At this age, a third-rank official is worthy of being called 'acceptable'?" Yuan Muyu didn't know where his hostility towards a junior came from, and subconsciously said, "Back then, I... never mind."

Realizing he was no match for this young saintess, he quickly changed the subject, saying indifferently, "What I want to say is that it's quite rare for a young saintess to have lost her virginity. I wonder which talented young man has won her favor?"

(End of this chapter)