Chapter 81: The Advancing Yu Suzhen

After refining the black-clothed ghost with the Myriad Spirits Banner, Lü Yang wasted no time. He immediately summoned a beam of escaping light and departed, ready to embark on ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠his ghost-hunting endeavor.

"The top priority now is to gather vengeful spirits on a large scale to complete this [Underworld Lord Xuanming's Ghost-Controlling Position]," he mused.

"Additionally, I need to accelerate cultivation of the 《Severing Thoughts to See the Heavenly Silkworm Secret》. And as for Yu Suzhen... I wonder how her 'superhuman' progress is coming along."

"If everything goes smoothly—if I gather third-grade true qi, master the Saint's Theft, achieve the Corpse Dissolution Immortal status, cultivate the 《Severing Thoughts to See the Heavenly Silkworm Secret》, obtain the [Underworld Lord Xuanming's Ghost-Controlling Position], and then drain Yu Suzhen dry using the Stealing Heavenly Secrets technique—I should have a sixty percent chance of successfully breaking through to Foundation Establishment."

At this thought, Lü Yang frowned again.

A sixty percent success rate still wasn't stable enough. If he could obtain that Ascension Token from True Person Yinshan, a seventy percent chance would be worth gambling for.

"The Ascension Token... It's not entirely impossible."

If he could gain control of the Witch-Ghost Secret Realm and resolve the issue with the Golden Core Sword Qi, perhaps he could trade it with True Person Yinshan for that token.

"Still, this requires careful planning."

Lü Yang was acutely aware that in this lifetime, he wasn't an insider of the Three Rivers Association. Rather than trading with him, it would be more in line with the Saint Sect's traditions to kill him and seize his possessions...

"Maybe Yu Suzhen can think of a way..."

With this in mind, Lü Yang immediately directed his avatar to hide in a remote wilderness, then withdrew his consciousness to check on Yu Suzhen's situation.

...........

Primordial Saint Sect, Sky-reaching Sea of Clouds.

Yu Suzhen had long been refined by Lü Yang into a cauldron for Stealing Heavenly Secrets, their karmic connection so deep that divination came effortlessly. Soon, he sensed her.

At Mending Heaven Peak, within a cave residence belonging to the Three Rivers Association.

The cave residence was already packed with people, bustling with activity. One after another, cultivators affiliated with the Three Rivers Association crowded around a young man, fawning obsequiously.

"Congratulations, Senior Brother Luo, on mastering a great divine ability! Foundation Establishment is within reach!"

"In the future, please remember to look after us, Senior Brother Luo..."

"Senior Brother Luo, do you recall? I treated you to a meal back then..."

At the banquet, Luo Wuya maintained a calm facade, but inwardly, he was quite satisfied. After all, he was still young. Mastering a ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠great divine ability indicated promising prospects for Foundation Establishment.

With this thought, a surge of ambition rose in Luo Wuya's heart:

'Big Brother has already taken the first step and achieved the status of a True Person. Who's to say I can't surpass him in the future?'

Just then, a commotion erupted outside the door. Someone exclaimed in admiration, "Fairy Suzhen has arrived!"

The next moment, a graceful figure entered the cave residence.

Her exquisitely beautiful face, curvaceous and upright figure, paired with an aloof demeanor and Qi Refining sixth-layer cultivation, made her resemble a proud and unapproachable snow lotus. Yet it also stirred imaginations—what fiery passion might lie beneath that icy exterior?

"Such a stunning woman..."

Many gazed at Yu Suzhen with undisguised admiration.

"Truly worthy of being called Fairy Suzhen. Less than a year since her formal enrollment, her cultivation has advanced by leaps and bounds. She's just one bottleneck away from becoming a mid-to-late Qi Refining cultivator..."

"Su Zhen pays her respects to Senior Brother Luo."

Yu Suzhen walked gracefully to Luo Wuya and gave a slight bow. Her demeanor was impeccable, devoid of any seductive charm, yet her dignified bearing inexplicably stirred desire.

"Junior Sister Yu is too kind."

Luo Wuya smiled approvingly. Yu Suzhen had considerable fame at Mending Heaven Peak and lived a reclusive life, rarely socializing or attending banquets. That she had accepted his invitation today greatly flattered his vanity and left him favorably disposed toward her.

"And Senior Brother Zhao, Qinghe-mei."

Turning, Yu Suzhen bowed to Zhao Xuhe beside Luo Wuya, her gaze briefly sweeping over Fairy Qinghe who accompanied him.

"Senior Brother Lu as well. Many thanks to both senior brothers for your care."

She then looked toward Lu Yuanchun, another disciple of the Mending Heaven Peak Master standing beside Zhao Xuhe. Their eyes met briefly before she calmly averted her gaze as if nothing had happened.

Soon, the banquet commenced.

Before long, Luo Wuya and Yu Suzhen were surrounded by crowds—some drawn by profit, others by lust—quickly heating up the atmosphere.

Naturally, this scene caught Luo Wuya's attention.

As the center of attention himself, he was adept at handling sycophants. Now he was curious how Yu Suzhen would manage.

Observing her, he saw that while she remained cool and composed, she wasn't aloof to the ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠point of being off-putting. She responded to everyone appropriately, her words suggesting intimacy one moment before cheerfully engaging another the next.

In short, she was stringing them along.

Yet none present seemed aware of this manipulation. Even if they noticed, they'd think, "She's playing hard to get with me—she must be interested!"

Poor junior brothers, completely under this woman's thumb...

Luo Wuya shook his head inwardly, yet couldn't help feeling a peculiar sensation. From start to finish, Yu Suzhen hadn't actively sought to ingratiate herself with him.

She truly seemed like a woman devoted solely to cultivation, cold and proud.

'An interesting woman...'

The banquet lasted until sunset before concluding. Yu Suzhen approached Luo Wuya, still poised and proper, offering a slight bow.

"It's getting late. Su Zhen must return to cultivate, so I'll take my leave first."

Luo Wuya chuckled. "You've worked hard, Junior Sister. Being so dedicated to cultivation usually, dealing with these people must have been trying for you."

"...Senior Brother understands."

Yu Suzhen raised her head, her previously icy expression suddenly softening as she rolled her eyes at Luo Wuya in a half-complaining manner.

This tone, this expression—utterly different from the aloof pride she'd displayed at the banquet—was like snow melting in spring, revealing a glimpse of dazzling beauty that made even Luo Wuya's heart skip a beat. He felt a thrill, as if seeing the hidden side of an unapproachable fairy.

But soon, Luo Wuya regained his composure.

He laughed heartily. "...Then this senior brother was at fault. Very well, should you encounter any cultivation difficulties in the future, feel free to seek my guidance anytime."

"Many thanks, Senior Brother."

Yu Suzhen's face lit up with pleasant surprise. She nodded solemnly before turning to leave under the admiring gazes of the crowd.

Watching this, Zhao Xuhe's eyes flashed with sudden insight nearby.

Soon, he too approached with Fairy Qinghe to bid Luo Wuya farewell. Luo Wuya acknowledged them outwardly, but inwardly, suspicion began to stir.

Immediately, he sent out a strand of spiritual sense to secretly follow Zhao Xuhe.

After leaving the cave residence, Zhao Xuhe first dismissed Fairy Qinghe, who had hoped to discuss cultivation with him, then hid in a secluded spot.

He then took out an invisibility talisman to conceal himself before making his way to Yu Suzhen's cave residence. After verifying the secret code on the door, he stealthily entered—only to see a captivating silhouette sitting before a dressing table, her jade-like back irresistibly alluring...

Zhao Xuhe's desire flared instantly as he strode forward.

"Su Zhen..."

"Hmm~~"

Yu Suzhen arched her slender neck, emitting a sigh that could have been resignation or acceptance, yet she allowed Zhao Xuhe to freely touch her.

Instantly, passion ignited throughout the quiet cave chamber.

The memory of Yu Suzhen's cool demeanor at the banquet contrasted so sharply with her current ardor that Zhao Xuhe felt inexhaustible energy.

Much later, they gradually stilled.

On the bed, Yu Suzhen clung to Zhao Xuhe and whispered, "Xuhe... I don't want to wait anymore. Can't our relationship ever be made public?"

"Su Zhen, I have difficulties I can't speak of..."

Zhao Xuhe shook his head, offering only vague excuses... The truth was simple: the Mending Heaven Peak Master had arranged his engagement to the Peak Master's daughter. How could he openly have a Dao companion under these circumstances? Thus, their affair had to remain hidden.

At this thought, Zhao Xuhe even felt a twinge of guilt.

After all, Yu Suzhen was so pure, while he was deceiving her like this...

After more intimate moments, Zhao Xuhe reluctantly departed, leaving behind some cultivation pills for Yu Suzhen before he left.

Once Zhao Xuhe was gone, Yu Suzhen's seductive expression faded. She hid the pills, then took out a jade slip.

After recording a message in the slip, she waited briefly.

"Knock, knock-knock, knock..."

The prearranged coded knock sounded at the door. Yu Suzhen hurried to open it, and soon a figure darted inside, sweeping her up in his arms.

"No! Senior Brother Lu, I'm not that kind of woman—"

"What 'no'? You pretentious slut. I knew you still had feelings for Zhao Xuhe. Don't forget I have dirt on you..."

"Wuwu..."

.......Another two hours passed.

Lu Yuanchun left satisfied, while Yu Suzhen lay on the bed silently weeping—until slow, deliberate footsteps suddenly approached from behind.

Yu Suzhen turned her head in shock, seeing the figure that had appeared behind her. A glint of triumphant calculation ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠flashed through her beautiful eyes, but her face showed only startled alarm:

"Senior Brother Luo!?"

...........

Withdrawing his awareness, Lü Yang fell into profound silence. After a long while, he finally sighed in admiration:

"She's truly a talent..."

Even he hadn't anticipated that in just a few months, Yu Suzhen could achieve such spectacular success in her "superhuman" endeavors.

He didn't understand it, but he was thoroughly impressed.