During these fifteen years, Li An's cultivation had progressed steadily, though slower than it might have been. She had reached the late stage of Foundation Establishment, her mid-grade yin spiritual roots provided a respectable foundation without drawing undue attention. Zhang Hao, meanwhile, had climbed to the peak stage of Foundation Establishment three years ago and had remained there ever since, consolidating his foundation and preparing for the most critical breakthrough of his life.
The Golden Core tribulation.
In the cultivation world, not all Golden Cores were created equal. The grade of one's Golden Core determined not only their immediate combat strength but also the likelihood of ever reaching the Nascent Soul stage—the realm where true immortals were born.
Ordinary cultivators who triggered only one to three lightning bolts during their tribulation formed first-grade to third-grade Golden Cores. These cultivators, no matter how talented they had been at Foundation Establishment, would never advance beyond Golden Core. Their potential was sealed the moment their core solidified.
Talented cultivators who triggered four to six lightning bolts formed fourth-grade to sixth-grade Golden Cores. With such qualifications, they had a ten to thirty percent chance of reaching Nascent Soul—a slim hope, but one that could be bolstered with rare pills and fortuitous encounters.
But those who triggered seven to nine lightning bolts—those who formed seventh-grade to ninth-grade Golden Cores—were practically guaranteed to become Nascent Soul cultivators, barring catastrophic misfortune or assassination.
Zhang Hao, blessed with top-grade fire spiritual roots, had a natural seventy percent chance of breaking through to Golden Core. But that was only if he settled for mediocrity—a low-grade core that would trap him forever.
He refused to accept that fate.
To form at least a sixth-grade Golden Core, or ideally a seventh-grade core, he needed a fire-attributed Golden Core Formation Pill crafted from the demon core of a Golden Core stage fire monster. Such a pill would resonate with his spiritual roots, amplify the tribulation's intensity, and give him the foundation he needed to reach Nascent Soul in the future.
But hunting a Golden Core monster was no simple task.
Even with his peak Foundation Establishment cultivation and top-grade spiritual roots, Zhang Hao could not face such a creature alone. He needed a team—at least ten cultivators at late or peak Foundation Establishment, each with combat techniques capable of injuring a Golden Core beast.
Over the past month, he had carefully assembled his team. He had invited top disciples from the Formation Peak—four cultivators who could work together to deploy a unique suppression array that would weaken the monster by twenty percent. He had recruited three sword cultivators from the Sword Peak, led by a peak-stage disciple with mid-grade fire spiritual roots whose blazing sword qi could melt through scales and bone. And he had secured two disciples from the Punishment Peak, both skilled in long-range combat with bows and throwing daggers, capable of exploiting openings created by the frontline fighters.
In exchange, Zhang Hao had promised them high amounts of contribution points or custom-forged equipment—favors he would spend years repaying.
That brought his team to nine disciples.
He needed one more.
His sister, Zhang Ling, was out of the question. She was a talented alchemist from the Pill Peak, but she had no combat experience and would be a liability in a life-or-death battle.
That left only one person.
Li An.
Zhang Hao sat alone in his forging chamber, staring at the half-finished blade on his workbench. His mind kept drifting to a certain feminine figure—slender and graceful, with black hair that fell like silk down her back, moving with an elegance that seemed almost otherworldly. He pictured her wielding the failed sword he had forged in his early years, that crude black rod with no edge, no hilt, no scabbard, and yet she made it look like a peerless treasure.
Over the past fifteen years, she had become his constant companion in the forging hall. She had tested every combat mannequin he built, refined every formation he inscribed, and never once complained about the tedious, repetitive work. She had been patient, supportive, and utterly dedicated.
And somewhere along the way, Zhang Hao had fallen in love with her.
But now, as he considered inviting her to the hunt, doubt gnawed at him.
Should I drag the woman I love into a life-or-death battle against a Golden Core monster?
He clenched his fists, his jaw tightening.
The journey would take weeks. They would travel through dangerous territories, face unpredictable threats, and ultimately confront a beast that could kill any of them with a single strike.
But... if he didn't invite her, he wouldn't see her for weeks. Maybe longer.
And more than that—he wanted to deepen their relationship. He wanted to walk beside her through scenic valleys and bustling cities, to share meals at roadside inns, to see her smile at something other than a training dummy or a formation plate.
His sister had told him that women appreciated such gestures. They liked being cared for, being treated to new experiences, being shown that they mattered.
This journey could be my chance, he thought. If I can protect her, if I can show her that I'm worthy... maybe she'll return my feelings.
His decision made, Zhang Hao rose from his seat and headed toward Li An's residence.
Or at least, he tried to.
Halfway there, he realized he had no idea where she lived.
He stopped in the middle of the path, his face flushing with embarrassment.
I don't even know where her residence is. I don't know what she did before joining the sect. I don't know her hobbies, her favorite foods, her birthday...
He had spent fifteen years working alongside her, and yet he knew almost nothing about her personal life.
Well, he thought grimly, now I have another goal for this journey.
Zhang Hao found Zi Qing in the Mystic Peak's common hall, chatting with a group of junior sisters. When he approached and asked for Li An's address, Zi Qing's eyes lit up with curiosity.
"Senior Brother Zhang, looking for Junior Sister Li An?" she asked with a teasing smile. "What's the occasion?"
"I have something important to discuss with her," Zhang Hao replied, trying to keep his tone neutral.
Zi Qing's smile widened. "Oh? Something important? Well, I'll take you there myself. I wouldn't want you getting lost."
Before he could protest, she looped her arm through his and guided him toward the outer residences of the Mystic Peak. Zhang Hao could feel the knowing glances of the other disciples following them, and his face grew warm.
When they arrived at Li An's residence—a modest, well-maintained courtyard surrounded by concealment formations—Zi Qing knocked on the door with exaggerated enthusiasm.
"Junior Sister! You have a visitor!"
A moment later, the door opened, and Li An stepped out.
Zhang Hao's breath caught.
Even after fifteen years, he still wasn't used to how graceful she was.
Her black hair was tied back in a simple braid, a few loose strands framing her delicate face. Her plain robes did nothing to hide the slender, graceful lines of her figure—narrow waist, modest curves, and an effortless poise that made every movement seem deliberate and refined. Her dark eyes regarded him with calm curiosity, and for a moment, Zhang Hao forgot what he had come to say.
"Senior Brother Zhang," Li An said softly. "What brings you here?"
Zhang Hao cleared his throat, forcing himself to focus. "I... I have a request. It's about a hunt."
Li An tilted her head slightly, waiting.
"I'm planning to hunt a Golden Core stage fire-attributed monster," Zhang Hao explained. "I need its demon core to craft a high-grade Golden Core Formation Pill. I've already gathered nine disciples, but I need one more person to complete the team. I was hoping... you would join us."
Li An considered this for a moment, her expression unreadable.
Internally, she was already calculating. The journey would take weeks, which meant she would be away from the sect for an extended period. She had free time, and the opportunity to leave the sect and experience the outside world again was appealing. Her next menstrual cycle was due in a week, which meant she might have just enough time to endure it in private before departing.
As long as I return before the following cycle, she thought, there should be no issues.
She was about to accept when Zi Qing stepped forward, her expression suddenly serious.
"Absolutely not."
Both Zhang Hao and Li An turned to look at her.
"Junior Sister Zi Qing—" Zhang Hao began.
"No," Zi Qing said firmly, crossing her arms. "Junior Sister Li An is not going on a hunt against a Golden Core monster. Do you have any idea how dangerous that is? She could be killed!"
"I'll protect her," Zhang Hao said quickly. "I swear, if anything happens, I'll use my life to keep her safe."
Zi Qing's eyes narrowed. "And what if you die, Senior Brother? What then? You're asking her to risk her life for a demon core. That's not a fair trade."
"I'm not asking her to fight the monster directly," Zhang Hao argued. "She'll be part of the support team. The formation specialists and ranged attackers will handle most of the danger. I just need someone I can trust to—"
"To what?" Zi Qing interrupted. "To watch you throw yourself at a Golden Core beast and hope you don't get torn apart?"
Zhang Hao's face flushed. "That's not—"
"Senior Sister Zi Qing."
Both of them turned to Li An, who had stepped forward with a calm, resolute expression.
"I'll go," Li An said simply.
Zi Qing's eyes widened. "Junior Sister, you can't be serious—"
"I am," Li An said. "I appreciate your concern, but I've made my decision."
Zi Qing stared at her for a long moment, then let out a frustrated sigh. "You're doing this for him, aren't you?"
Li An blinked, genuinely confused. "For...?"
"For Senior Brother Zhang!" Zi Qing said, gesturing toward him. "You've been helping him for fifteen years, and now you're willing to risk your life for him. Junior Sister, I know you care about him, but this is too much!"
Li An opened her mouth to correct her, then closed it again.
She thinks I have romantic feelings for Zhang Hao, Li An realized. If I deny it too strongly, it will only make her more suspicious.
Instead, she simply said, "I've made my decision, Senior Sister. Please trust me."
Zi Qing looked between them, her expression torn. Finally, she let out another sigh and threw up her hands. "Fine. But if anything happens to you, Junior Sister, I'm holding Senior Brother Zhang personally responsible."
Zhang Hao nodded quickly. "I understand. I won't let anything happen to her."
Zi Qing shot him a warning glare, then turned and walked away, muttering under her breath.
Once she was gone, Li An turned back to Zhang Hao. "When do we leave?"
"Two weeks," Zhang Hao said, relief flooding his voice. "We'll depart from the sect's main gate at dawn."
Li An nodded. "I'll be ready."
As Zhang Hao left, a faint smile on his face, Li An returned to her residence and closed the door.
Two weeks.
Her next menstrual cycle would begin in one week, which meant she had exactly seven days to endure the three-day ordeal, recover, and prepare for the journey.
I need to be careful, she thought. If my cycle comes early, or if the journey takes longer than expected...
She couldn't afford to be caught in a vulnerable state outside the sect. The thought of losing control in front of Zhang Hao, Zi Qing, or any of the other disciples was unbearable.
If anyone sees me like that, I'll have no choice but to silence them, she thought grimly. And outside the sect, there will be no evidence.
But she couldn't rely on that.
Over the next few days, Li An worked tirelessly to craft portable formation plates—concealment formations to hide her presence, illusion formations to create false images, and defensive formations to protect her if she was discovered. She inscribed each one with meticulous care, testing and refining them until she was satisfied.
If I can't control myself, she thought, at least these formations will ensure no one can find me.
One week later, Li An's menstrual cycle arrived on schedule.
She sealed her residence with the concealment formations she had crafted, swallowed a Pain Reduction Pill, and prepared herself for the ordeal.
After fifteen years, her body had become unbearably sensitive. The primordial yin energy coiled deep within her womb had amplified every nerve ending, every receptor, until the faintest brush of fabric against her skin sent waves of sensation cascading through her consciousness.
The moment the pill took effect, the cramping pain dulled to a manageable ache—but the pleasure surged to the forefront, raw and demanding.
Li An stripped off her robes and lay back on the bed, her modest frame trembling slightly in the sealed chamber. She knew from experience that she had only minutes before her body would betray her completely.
She reached up and grazed her fingertip across the peak of her breast.
That was all it took.
The contact—barely more than a whisper—sent a jolt of electricity through her torso. Her nipple hardened instantly, and her lower body responded with a violent clench. Arousal flooded between her thighs so suddenly that she gasped, her back arching off the mattress.
Not yet, she thought desperately, trying to maintain control. I can manage this.
But her body had other ideas.
She pressed her palm flat against her breast, applying gentle pressure, and felt another wave of pleasure crash through her. Her hips bucked involuntarily, her thighs pressing together as her passage clenched around nothing, desperate for fullness. Fluid—a mixture of menstrual blood and arousal—began to seep from her entrance, soaking into the sheets beneath her.
Li An bit her lip hard, forcing herself to breathe, to think, to maintain some semblance of control.
She moved her hand lower, sliding it between her thighs. The moment her fingers made contact with the sensitive flesh there, she felt her body convulse. Her clitoris was already swollen, already aching, and the slightest pressure sent her spiraling.
She tried to be methodical about it, tried to approach this the way she had learned over the past fifteen years—with precision, with efficiency, with the goal of achieving release quickly so the worst of the cycle would pass.
But her body refused to cooperate.
The first touch of her fingertip against her clitoris triggered an immediate orgasm. Her inner walls spasmed violently, clenching and releasing in rapid, uncontrolled succession. Fluid gushed from her entrance—more than before, a flood of wetness that soaked her hand and spread across her thighs, dripping onto the already-stained sheets.
"Ah—!"
The cry escaped before she could stop it, sharp and involuntary.
She pulled her hand away, breathing hard, waiting for the aftershocks to fade.
They didn't.
Her body continued to pulse, continued to clench, the pleasure lingering in her nerves like an echo that refused to fade. Between her thighs, the mess continued to spread—blood and arousal mixing together, creating a sticky wetness that clung to her skin and soaked deeper into the bedding.
The cramping should have eased.
It didn't.
Her womb pulsed with a hunger that the single orgasm had only intensified. The primordial yin energy coiled tighter, demanding more, refusing to be satisfied by a single release.
Li An stared at the ceiling, her chest heaving, her body still trembling with residual pleasure and frustration.
This is going to be a long three days, she thought grimly.
Not enough.
She gritted her teeth and thrust her fingers back inside, harder this time, deeper. Her other hand flew to her clitoris, rubbing in frantic, precise circles.
The second orgasm came faster than the first.
And then the third.
And the fourth.
By the time she reached the fifth orgasm, her body had become so sensitive that even the slightest touch sent her spiraling. A light brush against her nipple made her lower body convulse, squirting fluids across her thighs. When she plunged her fingers deep into her uterus, her consciousness was ripped away entirely.
She lost consciousness.
But her hands didn't stop.
Even in her unconscious state, her body continued to move, thrusting, rubbing, grinding, chasing the pleasure that had become an instinct deeper than thought. Her passage clenched and released in endless waves, her hips bucking against her hand, her thighs slick with blood and arousal.
She came again.
And again.
And again.
When she finally regained consciousness, her body was still climaxing. The pleasure flooded her mind with such intensity that she couldn't think, couldn't breathe, couldn't do anything but feel.
And then she lost consciousness again.
Only after six hours did her body finally stop.
She regained consciousness two hours later, lying in a pool of sticky, wet fluids. Her thighs were soaked, her sheets were ruined, and her entire body trembled with exhaustion.
Li An stared at the ceiling, her breathing ragged, her mind numb.
I can't let anyone see this, she thought distantly. I can't.
She cleaned the sheets mechanically, scrubbing away the evidence, and prepared to repeat the process the next morning.
And the morning after that.
Two weeks after Zhang Hao's invitation, the team gathered at the Frost Cloud Pavilion's main gate at dawn.
Li An arrived early, dressed in plain traveling robes with her black hair tied back in a simple braid. She carried the crude black rod Zhang Hao had forged in his early years—her only weapon—and a small pouch containing her formation plates and supplies.
Zhang Hao was already there, his expression a mixture of excitement and nervousness. He wore his Forging Peak robes and carried a finely crafted spear behind his back, its blade inscribed with fire-attribute formations.
One by one, the other disciples arrived.
The two sword cultivators from the Sword Peak were led by a tall, handsome man named Chen Wu, a peak-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator with mid-grade fire spiritual roots. His two companions, both at late-stage Foundation Establishment, carried twin sabers and radiated quiet confidence.
The four formation specialists from the Formation Peak were a diverse group—two men and two women, all at late-stage Foundation Establishment. Their leader, a sharp-eyed woman named Liu Mei, carried a pouch filled with formation flags and plates.
The two disciples from the Punishment Peak were both women—one wielding a longbow, the other carrying a bandolier of throwing daggers. Both were at peak-stage Foundation Establishment and moved with the silent grace of assassins.
Zhang Hao stepped forward and addressed the group. "Thank you all for coming. As you know, our target is a Golden Core stage Molten Armored Drake in the Scorched Wastes, three weeks' travel from here. The demon core will be used to craft a high-grade Golden Core Formation Pill, and in exchange, you'll each receive the compensation we agreed upon."
He gestured toward Li An. "This is Li An, a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator from the Mystic Peak. She'll be joining us as our final member."
Several of the disciples glanced at Li An with curiosity. Her reputation had spread throughout the sect over the past fifteen years—the mysterious junior sister who had spent countless hours helping Senior Brother Zhang Hao refine his combat mannequins. Many believed they were in a relationship, though neither had ever confirmed it.
Li An nodded politely but said nothing.
Chen Wu, the leader of the sword cultivators, stepped forward with a friendly smile. "It's an honor to work with you, Junior Sister Li An. I've heard much about your dedication."
"Thank you, Senior Brother Chen," Li An replied softly.
Liu Mei, the formation specialist, gave her an appraising look. "I hope you're prepared, Junior Sister. This hunt won't be easy."
"I am," Li An said simply.
Zhang Hao cleared his throat. "Let's move out. We have a long journey ahead."
The group set off, leaving the Frost Cloud Pavilion behind.
As they walked, Li An kept her expression calm and composed, but internally, she was already calculating.
Three weeks to reach the Scorched Wastes. One week to hunt the Crimson Flame Tiger. Three weeks to return.
Seven weeks total.
Her next menstrual cycle would occur in four weeks.
I'll need to find a way to isolate myself when the time comes, she thought. The formation plates should be enough, but if anyone gets suspicious...
She glanced at Zhang Hao, who was walking beside her with a faint smile on his face, clearly pleased that she had agreed to come.
He has no idea what he's gotten himself into, she thought grimly.
But she said nothing.
The hunt had begun.