Yin and Yang united, birthing a cosmic transformation!

Zhu Ju felt himself enveloped by a warm presence as a stream of pure Primordial Energy surged into him endlessly.

Like ocean waves.

One wave higher than the last.

He was the one riding these waves, a breaker dancing upon their crests, guiding their path forward.

"Heart Concentration and Spirit Observation."

Pei Jingque’s voice echoed in his mind:

"I will transmit a Spell to you, called the Joyful Technique. It is the foundation Method for Entry Level disciples of the Joyful Demon Sect."

"Yin and Yang exchange, Spirituality is born; Fire tempers passion, heart and spirit merge as one. Phantoms in their thousands, Soul Capture without a trace; Joyful is the path, free within the universe..."

Zhu Ju’s mind focused. He circulated his True Qi according to the Spell’s instructions and felt the connection between them grow even tighter.

With every breath, their auras flowed back and forth.

Though the situation had taken a strange turn, he wasn’t at a loss. On the contrary, he stood to gain a great deal.

"I was poisoned with the Joyful Sect’s rare toxin, ’Yin Yang Marrow,’ and I must use a man’s Yang Qi to neutralize its effects." 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝙚𝔀𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝒐𝒎

Pei Jingque’s voice carried a hint of shyness:

"For me, this means I can save my life."

"Because my constitution is rather special, my Primordial Yin contains a vast amount of Primordial Energy, which can also advance your Cultivation."

"A special constitution?" Zhu Ju asked:

"Senior Sister, you have a special constitution too?"

"Mhm." The two were currently hidden underground, and even the slightest movement made Pei Jingque’s pretty face flush crimson:

"My constitution is called the Profound Void Body. It’s similar to the Innate Dao Body and can conceal my true Cultivation."

"Even a Dao Foundation Cultivator wouldn’t be able to tell how many Acupoints I’ve opened."

’Isn’t this just the Innate Breath-Concealing Saint Body?’

’Doesn’t seem that useful.’

Zhu Ju’s thoughts stirred, and he immediately realized that the Profound Void Body’s abilities must go beyond simply concealing one’s Cultivation.

If it could freely seal already opened Acupoints, didn’t that mean it could also control unopened ones?

Opening all Innate Nine Acupoints?

While it might not be that exaggerated, he was certain that opening Acupoints was far easier for Pei Jingque than for others.

"You’ve guessed correctly."

Their auras were currently merged, and since Zhu Ju hadn’t concealed his thoughts, Pei Jingque could sense them clearly:

"Opening Acupoints is indeed easier for me than for others. I had already opened all Nine Acupoints as early as two years ago."

"Not only that..."

She sighed softly:

"The Profound Void Body helps me nurture a strand of Innate Qi, which increases my chances of reaching the Dao Foundation by twenty percent."

"And now, you’re the one benefiting from it all."

"Ngh!"

A bone-deep pain made sweat bead on Pei Jingque’s forehead. She could no longer care about anything else as her body began to move on its own.

"Quickly!"

"Circulate the Method!"

The Joyful Technique!

The Joyful Sect is labeled a Demon Sect by the Cultivation Realm, but in truth, its orthodox Cultivation Methods strictly adhere to the great Dao of heaven and earth.

This was especially true for its foundational methods.

’The Joyful Technique’ wasn’t a simple method of Yang Supplementing Yin, but one of taking from a surplus to supplement a deficit.

’The Way of Heaven takes from the surplus to supplement the deficit; the Way of Man takes from the deficit to serve the surplus.’

Zhu Ju’s Cultivation was far lower than Pei Jingque’s, so circulating the Joyful Technique was naturally of greater benefit to him.

Furthermore, there was that strand of Innate Qi, accumulated over many years, which was imperceptibly improving his body.

The Yin Yang Qi mingled.

The rare poison ’Yin Yang Marrow’ inside Pei Jingque’s body was slowly being ground away.

As for Zhu Ju...

"BOOM!"

A continuous stream of pure Primordial Energy surged into his body through their movements, seeping into his limbs, bones, Eight Extraordinary Meridians, and his very skin, flesh, tendons, and membranes.

It was as if his body was submerged in an Immortal Elixir; the True Qi within him skyrocketed at a visible rate.

In less than the time it takes for an incense stick to burn...

The Innate Third Acupoint!

Opened!

"Urgh..."

Zhu Ju let out a muffled grunt, feeling his Essence, Qi, and Spirit surge as the third Acupoint opened.

And this was only the beginning.

His Cultivation continued to advance wildly, and even the fourth Acupoint was now stirring, ready to open.

An unknown amount of time passed.

"CRACK!"

The Innate Fourth Acupoint.

Opened!

His Essence, Qi, and Spirit surged once more.

Breaking Three Acupoints and Breaking Four Acupoints seemed to be a difference of only one Acupoint, but it was the distinction between the Early-stage Innate and Middle Stage.

The difference in strength between the two was as vast as heaven and earth.

Zhu Ju couldn’t help but let out a low roar. His muscles tensed and trembled as if he had broken through some limit, and wisps of Earth Evil Qi began to emerge from him.

And from Pei Jingque’s body, Celestial Spirit Qi emerged as well.

The Celestial Spirits and Earthly Evils merged with one another.

"BOOM!"

Both of their Seas of Consciousness trembled in unison. Countless stray thoughts surfaced in their minds, and a myriad of desires threatened to destroy their reason.

"HUM!"

"MA!"

"BA!"

"..."

The Celestial Dragon Eight Sounds!

The Soul-Shocking Bell vibrated in response, its vast sound waves permeating everything.

Each syllable had its own distinct effect. The eight sounds chained together, intertwining and washing through their bodies repeatedly.

Pei Jingque’s tightly closed eyes trembled as if she sensed something, but she quickly fell still again.

Time slowly passed.

Zhu Ju’s eyes snapped open.

Somehow, they were now in a cave. Several Array Flags were planted in the ground around them, and Pei Jingque, wrapped in a robe, was curled up and unconscious.

The unconscious Pei Jingque’s brows were tightly furrowed, as if she were trapped in some kind of pain, her body trembling slightly from time to time.

Her delicate features evoked a sense of pity.

This Core True Inheritance of the Dragon Head Lineage, the pillar of support in so many people’s hearts, also had her moments of weakness.

All things considered, Pei Jingque wasn’t very old.

If she were in the Flying Phoenix or Celestial Sword Lineages, she would have been cherished by the Sect elders, living a carefree life like a princess.

But now, she was the spiritual pillar for the hundreds of disciples of the Dragon Head Lineage, the future Dao Foundation cultivator who would be the face of their lineage.

This young woman shouldered far too much pressure for someone her age.

Zhu Ju subconsciously reached out and gently stroked her long hair. Her tightly furrowed brows slowly relaxed.

His hand froze, and he suddenly barked in a low voice:

"Who’s there?"

"TAP..."

Footsteps echoed from outside the cave, and a figure appeared at the entrance.

Cao Lei looked at the two people inside the cave, his gaze shifting back and forth as his fingers slowly curled into fists.

"Zhu Ju!"

"Senior Brother Cao."

Zhu Ju stood up, took a long robe from his Qiankun Bag, and put it on:

"You’re alright?"

"Thanks to you, Junior Brother, I am fine." Cao Lei’s eyes narrowed as he slowly approached the cave, saying:

"What happened to Senior Sister Pei?"

"Senior Sister was injured, but it’s nothing serious now." Zhu Ju glanced back.

"Is that so?" Cao Lei took a step forward:

"Let me see."

"BUZZ..."

A layer of bright light appeared at the cave’s entrance, blocking his path.

An Array!

The flags planted around the cave swayed gently, a faint Spiritual Light appearing on their surface, guarding the area.

"Junior Brother."

Cao Lei stopped and said with a smile:

"Those Tribulation Cultivators have long since retreated, and the Sect’s seniors will be here soon. You can take down the Array."

"...No rush." Looking at Cao Lei before him, Zhu Ju did not deactivate the Array. Instead, he said slowly:

"Let’s wait until Martial Uncle Fengg arrives."

With an ambush targeting Pei Jingque like this, Fengg Wuju was sure to come. Only his arrival would signify true safety.

It wasn’t that he didn’t trust the man, but it was better to be safe than sorry.

"Martial Uncle Fengg..." Cao Lei pursed his lips:

"Then you’ll have quite a wait."

"Hm?" Zhu Ju’s expression changed slightly:

"Senior Brother, what do you mean?"

"What I mean is..." Cao Lei’s expression gradually twisted, no longer able to control the rage boiling in his heart. He suddenly clapped his hands forward:

"You won’t live to see him!"

"BOOM!"

Flying Dragon Palm!

The ultimate Palm Technique of the Dragon Head Lineage.

Two Dragon-Shaped Qi Forces slammed into the Array, immediately causing the Spiritual Light to flicker and the surrounding ground to tremble.

"Cao Lei!"

Zhu Ju shouted:

"What are you doing?"

"What am I doing?" Cao Lei’s eyes were bloodshot, his teeth clenched:

"It’s what have *you* done!"

"Forty years!"

His body trembled as he madly struck out with the Flying Dragon Palm, unleashing one Dragon-Shaped Qi Force after another, bombarding the Array.

"I waited in the Bright Void Sect for forty long years for today’s opportunity, and look at the good deed you’ve done!"

"Aaargh..."

"Why?"

"All these years, I have been completely loyal to the Dragon Head Lineage! Why didn’t Pei Jingque choose me to cure her poison?"

"Why!"

Cao Lei roared at the sky.

Everything had gone according to plan, but he never could have imagined that Pei Jingque wouldn’t choose him.

He clearly had the highest Cultivation, had contributed the most to the Sect, and was the most trustworthy. He was the best candidate.

And yet...

He wasn’t chosen!

Hm?

Zhu Ju raised an eyebrow:

"You knew Senior Sister Pei was poisoned with ’Yin Yang Marrow’?"

"Yes!" Cao Lei’s face twisted into a savage grin, his usual kindness long gone, replaced by madness in his eyes:

"Yin Yang Marrow must be neutralized with the Yang Qi from a man’s body. And I have another Secret Medicine on me. Combined, they can be used to forcibly control Pei Jingque’s mind for a short period. Then, not only could I have used her Innate Qi to advance to the Late-Stage Innate realm, but I also would have obtained the complete Celestial Spirits and Earthly Evils inheritance and earned a great merit for myself."

"All of this..."

"Was ruined by you!"

"BOOM!"

Over ten Dragon-Shaped Qi Forces converged into a lifelike golden dragon that slammed viciously into the Array.

The Array’s Restriction shook violently in response.

It was beginning to show signs of instability.

"Of the dozen or so people on the Flying Ship, the vast majority were Outer Sect Disciples. The few Inner Sect Disciples had pathetically low Cultivation. They couldn’t have possibly escaped the Tribulation Cultivators’ pursuit."

"I should have been her only choice!"

Cao Lei had never even considered that things could go wrong at the final step.

"Uh..." Zhu Ju rubbed his chin:

"Maybe... it’s because you’re too ugly?"

?

Cao Lei froze, his eyes locked on Zhu Ju:

"You think you’re funny?"

He took a step forward, a cold smile on his face:

"Why do you think I dared to say all this? Why am I not worried about you leaking this information?"

"After being poisoned by Yin Yang Marrow, even if the poison is neutralized, the victim is certain to fall into a deep sleep for a full day and night."

"Pei Jingque is completely helpless, and as for you..."

"What can you possibly do?"

Cao Lei took a deep breath and continued:

"Besides... ambushing Pei Jingque was only part of the plan. The Joyful Sect has long been secretly allied with the Tribulation Cultivators of the Ten Thousand Mountains, preparing to kill one or two of the Bright Void Sect’s Dao Foundation Cultivators."

"With Tribulation Cultivators now roaming the area, even Dao Foundation Cultivators can’t guarantee their own safety. Do you really think you two can escape?"

"The Six Harmonies Array Banner..."

"Break for me!"

With a furious roar, the Dragon-Shaped Qi Force struck the nodes of the Array according to some unique pattern.

"BANG!"

The Array Flags’ Spiritual Light trembled, and then the Defense Array shattered into countless points of light.

The barrier between the two of them was gone.

A sharp killing intent washed over him, but Zhu Ju’s expression remained unchanged. With a flick of his finger, the Five-Pointed Flying Sword shot out like a bolt of lightning.