“Thud!” After Li Changju left, Ye Yan collapsed onto the ground, his body limp and powerless.
Before long, several law enforcement disciples walked into the dungeon. In the dim light, their figures looked particularly sinister. Their eyes glimmered with greed, staring at Ye Yan like predators eyeing their prey.
“You… what do you want?” Ye Yan’s heart tightened. His face changed drastically as he scrambled backward.
“What do we want? Execution time!” One of the disciples sneered, raising a whip as he walked toward Ye Yan.
“Don’t… don’t come near me! Aaaaah!”
…
Li Changju, having obtained the Yin-Yang Ice Soul, left with satisfaction.
“Finally got it!” He smirked proudly, secretly relieved. The most important thing now was to refine the Yin-Yang Ice Soul as soon as possible to ensure his own survival.
With a light tap of his foot, he vanished from the spot, soaring on his sword through the sky. Cold wind howled past his ears as drifting clouds rushed by. In a blink, he returned to Jade Peak.
His cave residence sat atop the mountain, magnificent and imposing, like a hidden treasure nestled within the clouds. As he approached, the scenery became clearer—snow melted, springs trickled, and a faint fragrance filled the air.
He pushed open the door and stepped inside. Everything looked the same as always. He went straight to his cultivation chamber, already sealed with isolation arrays. The room was simple yet elegant, but Li Changju paid no attention. He hurriedly sat cross-legged, holding the Yin-Yang Ice Soul in his hand, his eyes sharp with determination as he silently recited the refining chant.
Two energies—yin and yang, combining as one…
The moment his mind stirred, his spiritual power surged like a tidal wave, merging with the demonic bloodline within his body. Ice and fire collided, creating a shock beyond imagination.
Closing his eyes, he steadied his heart. He dared not be distracted, for even a moment of carelessness might cause his demonic bloodline to spiral out of control.
“Buzz…”
The two forces rioted wildly, boiling like a lake about to explode. They collided, devoured, and erupted again and again!
He could feel the two energies in his dantian clashing violently. If he didn’t refine them quickly, his body might explode. Forcing down his panic, he pressed his palms onto his dantian, forming seals to calm the chaos.
Time passed.
“Boom!”
The icy cold of the Yin-Yang Ice Soul melted under his control, turning into a gentle stream of energy that seeped into his meridians.
Every vein in his body was nourished by the warmth, the searing pain fading, replaced by comfort and strength. His muscles, bones, and blood vessels all benefited immensely. His pale face flushed with healthy color, and the tight frown on his brow eased into satisfaction.
This feeling was incredible!
His body brimmed with vitality, his skin turning smoother and fairer. “As expected, it’s a treasure!” he murmured. Though his realm hadn’t advanced, his strength had grown significantly. He could sense that with a bit more effort, he would soon break through to the next stage.
Excited, he continued refining the Yin-Yang Ice Soul.
Time slipped by…
Three days later, Li Changju opened his eyes, sharp light flashing from them. Within this short time, his cultivation had reached the 8th stage of the Qi Nourishing Realm.
…
“Crap!”
A sudden thought struck him. He quickly pulled out the glazed tower from his storage ring. Murong Daidai was still trapped inside!
Peering inside with his divine sense, he was dumbfounded. Her clothes were messy, and her entire body had shrunk slightly.
“Did she… starve?” He was stunned, then hastily released her.
The moment she came out, Murong Daidai shrieked and scurried away, eyes full of fear. Li Changju thought to himself, “Now this is the proper persona!”
She stood off to the side, head bowed pitifully like a wronged child. In a soft, trembling voice, she said, “I want to go home…”
Li Changju had wanted to question her further, but seeing her like this, he couldn’t press on. “Sorry, my oversight…” he apologized repeatedly.
“Alright, I’ll take you back,” Li Changju nodded.
“Don’t put me back in the tower… I’m scared…” She lowered her head further, like a frightened deer, not daring to look at him.
“Fine, I’ll carry you back on my sword.” Li Changju agreed at once, summoning his flying sword. “Get on.”
That single “get on” stunned Murong Daidai, as if it echoed from a distant past—so far back she couldn’t even remember if it had been a thousand years, ten thousand years, or longer.
She hesitated, then softly replied, “Mm…”
She floated lightly onto the sword, standing obediently behind him, her large eyes blinking as she gazed at him with quiet expectation.
Li Changju grinned.
He understood the problem—Murong Daidai hated being near him, and the Scarlet Frost Sword was too small for distance. So, with a quick hand seal, the three-foot sword stretched into a massive blade over ten meters long, instantly creating space between them.
Murong Daidai: “…”
The giant sword tore through the sky, leaving behind a blazing trail. Curious disciples pointed and gossiped below.
“A bunch of ignorant fools,” Li Changju muttered. “I’ve seen a bus-sword before, even one with guardrails…”
“Senior Brother, may I… hug you?”
Li Changju almost choked. “Wha—what?”
“I… may I hug you?” Murong Daidai’s voice came from behind, laced with a sobbing tone. Her little head drooped, not daring to look up.
Her words jolted Li Changju. Wait, wasn’t she supposed to avoid him like the plague? Could it be… she’s just afraid of heights?
“If you’re scared, then hug me,” he said calmly. After all, what harm was there in a hug?
At his words, her cheeks flushed crimson. She stretched out her arms and wrapped them tightly around his waist, pressing her delicate body against his back. Her eyes softened with affection and sweetness. She loved this closeness, this warmth. It felt… wonderful.
Li Changju’s body stiffened. “Hey, hey! Girl, you’re acting strange!” He felt her hands move and froze. “Wait… where do you think you’re putting your hands?”
…