“I think we can talk.”
Gu Chengxing used his spiritual power to shield Shen Ruochu, isolating a space that belonged only to him and Ji Liang.
“Show yourself.”
Ji Liang’s remnant soul had been restored somewhat by the Soul-Hidden Flower. Though still weak, she could now barely manifest a form.
Gu Chengxing had no ulterior motive. He simply wanted to see what Ji Liang actually looked like.
After all, the original novel had once stated that she had been the most beautiful woman of her era, suppressing countless fairy maidens and Saintesses, leaving them unable to rise.
Of course, in web novels, no matter how beautiful a woman was, she would at most be on par with the protagonist or female lead.
As for Shen Ruochu’s appearance, how should he put it?
From Gu Chengxing’s current perception, she was indeed unmatched.
She was still in a sealed state of beauty, not yet fully grown.
But in his eyes, Shen Ruochu was simply too beautiful, adorably beautiful to the extreme.
Wait. What am I thinking?
Gu Chengxing hurriedly dispelled the messy thoughts in his mind.
Ji Liang’s figure gradually appeared before him.
It was a pity that her form was illusory and indistinct.
Gu Chengxing inhaled sharply.
She truly carried a certain extraordinary temperament.
Fine. She was probably indeed very beautiful.
As an ancient remnant soul, Ji Liang quickly regained composure despite her anger at the Fatal Seed planted within her soul.
“What do you want?” she asked.
Gu Chengxing curled his lips. “Nothing much. I just don’t trust you. Consider it an extra layer of protection for my disciple’s life.”
“You? Disciple? Her?”
Gu Chengxing nodded without hesitation. “Yes, her. Although… well… you understand. But I do acknowledge her as my disciple.”
Ji Liang glanced at Shen Ruochu. Even on her illusory face, a trace of strangeness could be seen.
Are you lying to a fool?
She had already seen Shen Ruochu’s memories and knew the relationship between the two.
“What do you want to say? Speak plainly.”
Ji Liang understood that the Fatal Seed, once planted, could never be removed. Each one was extremely precious.
That meant Gu Chengxing would not casually kill her.
Her life was nearly free from immediate threat.
Gu Chengxing thought briefly. “Can you help my disciple kill me?”
Ji Liang froze. “What?”
Gu Chengxing remembered that as an ancient remnant soul, Ji Liang likely knew methods to deal with someone possessing the Heavenly Demon Physique, including limiting the Fatal Seed.
But it did not matter.
In her current state, she posed no threat.
“Let’s make a deal.”
“What deal?”
Gu Chengxing smiled faintly. “I will help you reforge your body and restore your freedom.”
Ji Liang’s figure trembled. Suspicion filled her voice. “Reforge my body? Are you serious? Do you mean the same thing I think you mean?”
Reforging a body was entirely different from seizing possession.
“I know the difference,” Gu Chengxing replied calmly. “Yes, I mean exactly what you think. I will reconstruct your bloodline, restore your physical body, and re-engrave the Great Dao you once walked.”
Ji Liang stared at him in silence, thinking carefully. “What do you want me to do?”
She did not fully believe him. This Heavenly Demon Physique holder was likely making empty promises.
But since he had spoken, she could allow herself a trace of hope.
Reforging her body and restoring her bloodline were of utmost importance.
She had reasons she had to live.
Otherwise, she would not have lingered on until now.
Over countless years, she had many opportunities to seize another’s body.
But possession would damage and contaminate her soul.
Damage was minor, but contamination would forever destroy the possibility of true reforging.
If she could not reforge her body, her existence would have no meaning.
Gu Chengxing hesitated briefly. “Reforging your body will probably take about a hundred years.”
“You do not need to do anything special. For now, just follow my arrangements.”
“In simple terms, obey my commands during your period of enslavement.”
A hundred years? Impossible. If he had said ten thousand years, perhaps there would be a sliver of plausibility.
“Is that all? Why should I believe you?”
“That’s all.”
“Whether you believe me or not doesn’t matter. Your life is in my hands.”
Gu Chengxing added calmly, “If you think I’m taking advantage of you, then after your body is reforged, could you let me inject my primordial yang once to unlock some life achievements?”
His tone was steady and indifferent.
But the words were utterly shameless.
“Of course, if I’m still alive by then.”
He had a feeling he might die in this life without ever losing his virginity. A bit of shameless talk would not hurt.
Ji Liang took a long moment to understand what he meant.
“You—”
But under someone else’s roof, one had to bow their head.
Her words caught in her throat.
She could not understand this era’s Heavenly Demon Physique.
Millions of years ago, she had seen one before. That one had been powerful and violent.
She could not find the right word.
Gu Chengxing’s eyes shifted as he sensed Shen Ruochu was about to awaken.
“My disciple is waking. No more nonsense.”
“From now on, your task is simple. Guide her cultivation. I can even generously let you share my status. She may call you Master as well.”
Ji Liang fell silent.
Who would envy that? She was Ji Liang, an ancient powerhouse who once stood at Half-step Emperor Realm. Becoming her disciple was an honor.
But circumstances were different now.
Shen Ruochu’s talent was unparalleled in this era. It was acceptable.
Moreover, she had once intended to accept her as a disciple anyway.
“So that is all I must do?” Ji Liang resigned herself.
Gu Chengxing nodded. He did not care what she thought.
In time, she would believe him.
“Her physique is not suited to our sect’s techniques. I believe you possess the most suitable cultivation methods and martial skills for her.”
“Do what you must. At the end, everything I promise you will be given.”
Gu Chengxing released the isolated space.
Ji Liang’s connection with Shen Ruochu was restored.
Her illusory form weakened slightly. After giving Gu Chengxing a deep look, she returned to Shen Ruochu’s body.
Shen Ruochu opened her eyes at that very moment, confusion flickering within them.
Gu Chengxing approached with a faint smile and placed his hand on her small shoulder, checking her condition. After confirming everything was fine, he nodded slightly.
Her meridians were astonishingly stable.
At last, spiritual Qi could circulate within her body. Her heaven-defying talent was finally about to reveal itself.
Previously, due to Ji Liang’s remnant soul, spiritual Qi could not fill her body on its own. She could not cultivate.
Now that her suppressed aptitude had returned, her so-called useless constitution naturally vanished.
It seemed he needed to prepare some top-tier body refinement resources. The foundation of the three stages of foundation building had to be solid.
The thought passed briefly through his mind. In a place Shen Ruochu could not see, his expression softened slightly.
“This training session is complete. You may leave.”
With a wave of his hand, space trembled.
Just like the previous time in the Forest of Empty Steles, Shen Ruochu was once again transported away.
In her ears echoed the time for the next training session.
“One month later, the third training will begin. Also, the remnant soul in your mind will guide your cultivation from now on.”
This time, however, Senior Sister Lin Qing was not waiting for her.
On the road back, she walked alone.
Well, not entirely alone. There was still one remnant soul.
Shen Ruochu suddenly felt a vague premonition.
She thought that perhaps, from now on, her life would gradually return to calm.