Xie Lingjun, overwhelmed by rage, left an opening, and Fu Yun struck heavily at the acupoint on the side of his neck.
After knocking Xie Lingjun down, Fu Yun propped him up in the shallow water, using a spell to secure him and prevent him from drowning.
At that moment, the reflection of the full moon in the sky fell precisely on the spot where Xie Lingjun was sitting. The patterns of moonlight and rippling water danced across his clothes, making him appear even more ethereal and transcendent.
It was the perfect moment of midnight romance.
Fu Yun leaned down.
The system urgently called out in Fu Yun’s mind: “This is the protagonist’s harem! Damn it, host, don’t do it”
Fu Yun sealed several of Xie Lingjun’s key acupoints to prevent the cold energy from invading.
Where was there any desire in his eyes? Only mockery. Then he turned and swam in the opposite direction of Xie Lingjun toward the remnants of the demonic flower and the depths of the mist.
For once, the system was clever: “That flower is the array’s eye you mentioned? You’re going to destroy the array to escape?”
Fu Yun: “I’m going to seize this array.”
He had told Xie Lingjun that destroying the array’s eye would dismantle the array, but he hadn’t mentioned that, conversely, seizing the array’s eye could allow one to control the array.
If this space were under Fu Yun’s control, the illusory mist would be inexhaustible.
But he couldn’t cooperate with Xie Lingjun. Given that young man’s loyalty to Taiyi, he would undoubtedly report everything truthfully afterward. This space array, suspected to be the legacy of an ancient demon king, would never remain in Fu Yun’s hands.
The first step in seizing the array was locating its eye.
The array’s eye could be illusory or real; only by breaking the illusory could one seize the real. The simplest way to find the array’s eye was to locate the “eternal object.” Fu Yun had already found the illusory array’s eye the reflection of the moon on the lake’s surface.
When he lured away the vines, he noticed that no matter how much the wood spirits stirred the lake, the reflection remained a perfect, unbroken circle of the moon, never distorting or shattering.
Xie Lingjun was now lying on the moon’s reflection, breaking the illusory array.
Fu Yun was going to seize the other, real array’s eye the flower that, after being pierced by sword energy, hadn’t disappeared but merely withered.
Of course, besides the moon’s reflection and the demonic flower, there might be other array eyes, but regardless, the demonic flower was the key.
Fu Yun quickly made his way ashore, cutting through the withered vines. The closer he got, the thicker the pink mist became. Fu Yun sliced his palm open, using the scent of blood to dilute the cloying sweetness in the mist.
He wasn’t afraid of the aphrodisiac poison if things got truly dire, he could always use Xie Lingjun as a solution!
Fu Yun approached, and as the wood spirits probed inward, the withered flower revived, its petals blooming one by one.
When the stamen was fully exposed, it cradled an object like an altar: a jade slip entwined with pink and white mist No, the mist was emanating from it.
Fu Yun had just taken a step forward when the trunk of an ancient tree beside him split open, spewing a corrosive, foul liquid that ate through his protective spiritual shield.
Feigning retreat, he shot water arrows from his sleeve, colliding with the foul liquid. Just as Fu Yun had calculated, several splattered streams flew toward the jade slip, knocking it out of the flower bud. At that moment, Fu Yun dove forward, grabbing for the jade slip in mid-air.
The jade slip was scalding hot, but Fu Yun held on tightly.
Yet the ancient tree went berserk, spewing venom like a torrential downpour. Fu Yun’s protective talismans were corroded, and unlike Xie Lingjun, he couldn’t shield himself with sword energy.
Reluctantly, Fu Yun released the jade slip, which still clung to shreds of his skin and flesh. But in the end, he had no choice but to let go.
The jade slip couldn’t be seized, and the demonic flower couldn’t be uprooted. It was truly difficult to manage alone. But waking Xie Lingjun would introduce too many variables.
Seeing Fu Yun’s hand covered in blood, the system was frantic with worry, forgetting all about the protagonist and his harem. It immediately suggested: “Try absorbing Xie Lingjun’s energy through dual cultivation!”
Fu Yun wasn’t particularly keen on the idea.
First, Xie Lingjun was only at the Nascent Soul stage of cultivation. Second, as a scion of a prominent family, his body and soul were undoubtedly protected by secret treasures. Forcibly absorbing his essence would be more trouble than it was worth. Third, after the absorption, he would still need to circulate his energy to convert it far too slow.
Fu Yun tightened his grip on the few remaining talismans.
If he had also entered the path of the sword, achieving unity of man and blade, he could unleash sword energy and take on two opponents at once. Huh? Sword energy?
A flash of inspiration struck Fu Yun.
Who said an unconscious person couldn’t wield sword energy?
“Plop”
The lake water enveloped his entire body, making his teeth chatter. Born with a naturally cold constitution, he was especially sensitive to the cold. The moment he came into contact with the water’s chill, the lust poison stirred restlessly the hotter it grew, the colder he felt.
Fu Yun bit the tip of his tongue, forcing himself to stay alert.
He darted in front of Xie Lingjun and resumed the previously interrupted act of “forced life-saving.”
Their spiritual energies intertwined, but not for dual cultivation or healing.
Fu Yun intended to infuse his water-based spiritual energy into Xie Lingjun, inciting a violent reaction from the other’s fire-based spiritual energy. He would then extract it and channel it into Xie Lingjun’s lifebound sword, inducing sword energy.
If fire-based spiritual energy was likened to firewood, then the lifebound sword was the furnace. Firewood placed in the furnace would ignite into flames that was sword energy.
Though it wouldn’t last long, it should be enough to eradicate the demonic flower.
The process of reversing the flow of water-based spiritual energy was anything but pleasant. Xie Lingjun’s brow furrowed deeply, but he didn’t utter a sound. Fu Yun controlled the rhythm, multitasking he needed Xie Lingjun to sense the threat, causing his spiritual energy to grow restless, yet also needed him to suddenly awaken and strike through him.
Xie Lingjun’s meridians were exceptionally resilient, making the invasion arduous and progress slow.
Fine beads of cold sweat gradually formed on Fu Yun’s temples, but the more critical the moment, the calmer he had to remain. His control wasn’t perfect, and bruises began to appear beneath Xie Lingjun’s skin, turning it a mottled blue and purple.
Alongside his guilt, Fu Yun felt a surge of satisfaction.
The night before, Xie Lingjun had sparred with him. The kid’s sword energy was overwhelmingly yang and pure, perfectly countering Fu Yun it had left him aching all over, and the bruises still lingered.
“The wheel of fate turns.” Fu Yun chuckled, his eyelashes trembling as sweat dripped into his eyes. He couldn’t spare a hand to wipe it away, so he squinted, his vision instantly blurring with a warm, hazy glow.
How warm it was. The thought suddenly crossed Fu Yun’s mind.
Xie Lingjun’s spiritual energy was pure and untainted, overwhelmingly yang. Unable to resist, Fu Yun secretly drew a wisp into his own meridians.
Just as his vision blurred.
A low groan escaped Xie Lingjun’s throat. The fire-based spiritual energy, previously under Fu Yun’s control, broke free like a caged beast and fiercely counterattacked. Fu Yun, momentarily greedy for warmth, found himself entangled by the fire energy instead.
The fire energy coiled around, enveloped, and even began to siphon Fu Yun’s essence. The backlash churned his qi and blood, blood staining the corners of his eyes as regret washed over him.
He had underestimated how lust had eroded Xie Lingjun’s rationality.
After the initial agony, the icy spiritual energy invading his meridians felt like a sweet spring to Xie Lingjun, whose body burned as if on fire.
He hadn’t yet regained consciousness, but his unconscious restlessness allowed him to break through several immobilization talismans, instinctively seeking more coolness.
Xie Lingjun tightened his grip on Fu Yun’s wrist, invaded his meridians, and began plundering Fu Yun’s spiritual energy in return! Xie Lingjun wasn’t just fierce with sword energy his use of spiritual energy was equally reckless, all offense and no defense, charging forward without restraint.
A flash of ferocity crossed Fu Yun’s eyes.
He directly probed toward Xie Lingjun’s dantian, intending to drain his true fire entirely. But though Xie Lingjun wasn’t fully conscious, he refused to yield. The fire energy tightened around the water energy, pouring inward and scalding Fu Yun until he trembled.
Most terrifyingly, Fu Yun realized Xie Lingjun’s spiritual power was growing stronger.
Perhaps. he would end up being drained by Xie Lingjun instead. The realization dawned on Fu Yun.
He was, after all, a cultivation furnace, inherently disadvantaged in spiritual energy confrontations.
The lake water was bitterly cold, frost forming on Fu Yun’s eyelashes. He shuddered.
Xie Lingjun’s spiritual power grew increasingly potent. Fu Yun wanted to end their confrontation, but Xie Lingjun refused to let go his index finger pressed against the tiger’s mouth of Fu Yun’s hand, the other four fingers encircling the wrist, forming a shackle.
Xie Lingjun’s body grew hotter as well.
Fu Yun had just been burned by the jade slip, his palm freshly healed. The newly grown skin couldn’t withstand any stimulation. He detested being restrained in such a manner and tried to pull his hand free, tearing his skin in the process, but to no avail.
Fu Yun could bear it no longer. “Junior Brother!” Xie Lingjun paid no heed. Shouting his name and reprimanding him proved equally futile.
Xie Lingjun lifted a pair of pitch-black eyes, like knives tempered in ice and fire, pinning Fu Yun in place.
Yet he remained unconscious.
If he were awake, he would have immediately pushed Fu Yun away.
The closer Xie Lingjun drew, the faster Fu Yun’s spiritual power drained away. Finally, weakened and in a low voice, he uttered two words: “Yuzhao.”
This was the name of Xie Lingjun’s sword.
Xie Lingjun remained unresponsive. Fu Yun had already given up hope, thinking only of escaping even if it meant mutual destruction. He bit the tip of his tongue, preparing to use his blood to activate a talisman. Just then, a shadow seemed to flicker before him.
A pure white sword sheath stood quietly, fixed between Fu Yun and Xie Lingjun.
A harmless sheath, yet it froze Xie Lingjun in place.
On the sheath, the seal script character for “precept” was engraved.
its form depicted holding a weapon, a reminder that those who wield arms must remain vigilant. Xie Lingjun ceased all reckless movement.
Seizing the opportunity, Fu Yun exerted force, gripping the sheath and sweeping it toward Xie Lingjun. While the other was stunned, he pressed him heavily into the water!
Only then did Xie Lingjun retaliate. Fu Yun’s attacks were ruthless, aimed at vulnerable acupoints and the most painful spots. In the cold lake, the sound of water churned as their hair tangled together, rising and falling.
Their ragged breaths intertwined.
In the end, it was Fu Yun who subdued Xie Lingjun. Looking down from above, he waited a few seconds before dragging Xie Lingjun out of the water.
Fu Yun tightened his grip on the sheath, patted Xie Lingjun’s disheveled face, and asked, “Where is your sword?”
Xie Lingjun remained silent.
Fu Yun slowly rotated the sheath, bringing the character “precept” close to Xie Lingjun’s face. The profound sword intent and restrained killing aura above it were undoubtedly engraved by the Sword Venerable for Xie Lingjun.
“…” Xie Lingjun opened his mouth.
Xie Lingjun’s sword was embedded within his spine.
Hiding the sword within the body, nurturing it with one’s flesh this was the unique cultivation method of the Xie family.
Fu Yun used the sheath to lure the sword’s true form, sliding it slowly down Xie Lingjun’s tense spine. Beneath the young, warm skin lay a deeply buried, icy sharpness.
The sheath finally drew out the tip of the sword, but the rest refused to emerge.
Fu Yun reached toward the slightly protruding vertebra, preparing to pull out the sword with his bare hands.
His fingertips sank into the flesh, touching the cold tip. Fu Yun began to draw the sword backward.
Sss…crrk
The sword’s edge tugged back and forth against Fu Yun’s palm, grinding against Xie Lingjun’s bones and blood, producing a sound both lingering and cruel.
Xie Lingjun’s chest heaved. With every inch the sword emerged, his face grew paler. Yet, with the sheath separating him from Fu Yun, he remained motionless.
“Yuzhao,” Fu Yun called out, soothing the sword that did not belong to him. “Endure a little longer. It will be over soon.”
The sword’s cold light flickered, as if it were not an inanimate object but breathing alongside Xie Lingjun. The gasps reached their peak as Fu Yun fully withdrew the sword.
Xie Lingjun coughed up blood.
Fu Yun grasped the hilt.
Suddenly, the moonlight dimmed, replaced by a cyan glow that filled Fu Yun’s vision. The sword dissolved into the light, appearing as though it were nothing at all.
The jade mirror was exquisitely beautiful and radiant, gleaming like autumn water, shimmering with light. Fu Yun caressed it affectionately the sword master was bothersome, but the sword itself could never be at fault.
He whispered softly, “In my hands, I must ask you to endure this once.”
Though he spoke of hardship, he did not hesitate when it came time to act. Fu Yun held the sword and drew it across his finger, letting his blood mingle with Xie Lingjun’s fire spirit as it poured in