Chapter 34: Violet Radiance Bath, Mother-Daughter Splendor
Su Rui had spent the five days since passing the Hundred Charms Nourishing Origin Art to Liu Qingwan poring over the secret manual bestowed by that demonic overlord, committing it to memory with the aid of his heightened comprehension from cultivating the Heavenly Extreme Demonic Flame Art. Those few practical secret arts were now mastered to perfection.
Next, he would set about forging that demonic spear—the Robbery Flame.
Su Rui had never even heard of these materials before. His only option was to head to the sect's Treasure Pavilion first.
News of Mu Xueyi's Nascent Soul breakthrough had swept through the entire sect like wildfire. As a top-three contender in Sword Guard Peak's Trial Sword Assembly—and the disciple she had publicly accepted—Su Rui was already a sensation. Eyes followed him keenly as he entered the Treasure Pavilion; some whispered behind their hands, others fawned shamelessly.
Su Rui's expression remained impassive, ignoring the sycophants with a casual nod before striding straight into the inner pavilion.
The pavilion master was a grizzled Core Formation late-stage elder with gray hair and a steady, profound aura.
Spotting Su Rui, a flicker of scrutiny crossed his eyes before he smiled warmly. "Young friend Su, congratulations on your master's breakthrough. What brings you here today?"
His tone was polite, clearly out of deference to Mu Xueyi. Su Rui had no time for small talk and bluntly listed the materials he sought.
The elder's brows furrowed in thought. "We have a few pieces of black obsidian in stock, but Nine Nether Profound Evil Iron, True Phoenix Inner Core, Wind Soul Jade... I've never heard of them. Young friend, you might try the Scripture Pavilion—check the ancient texts for leads."
Su Rui thanked him with a nod and turned toward the Scripture Pavilion.
It stood right across from the Treasure Pavilion; he arrived in moments.
The Scripture Pavilion's master was a bizarre old man with the hair of an elder and the face of a child, his temperament as eccentric as they came. He usually ignored disciples' questions, dozing off with disdain.
Su Rui knew his reputation and hadn't planned to bother him—yet the old man shuffled forward with a squint and a grin. "You're that new disciple of Snowyi's, eh? Ordinary spiritual root, just like the rumors say. Heh, what brings you to this old codger's domain?"
Su Rui couldn't help marveling at Mu Xueyi's influence—even this oddball gave her face.
Since the old man asked, Su Rui stated his needs plainly.
The man's eyes twinkled as he stroked his beard. "Nine Nether Profound Evil Iron, True Phoenix Inner Core, Wind Soul Jade... Good grief, those are rare treasures. That Profound Evil Iron's straight-up for demonic artifacts. What does a Foundation Establishment kid like you want with them?"
Su Rui kept his face neutral, brushing it off. "This junior just overheard Master mention them once out of curiosity. I came to browse the classics and broaden my horizons. As Master always says, learning knows no end—one must stay humble and eager."
"Sounds just like that girl."
A trace of nostalgia flashed in the old man's eyes. He pointed to several shelves. "Annals of Profound Artifacts, volume three, covers the Nine Nether Profound Evil Iron. Bestiary of Beasts, volume seven, mentions the True Phoenix Inner Core. Compendium of Heaven and Earth Spiritual Items, volume five, has the Wind Soul Jade. Go fetch 'em yourself—this old man's not your servant. And don't touch the forbidden scrolls, or my seals aren't a joke."
"Understood, senior."
Su Rui cupped his hands. Though the old man hid his aura well, Su Rui's senses pierced it—Nascent Soul mid-stage.
That strength would rank him among the sect's grand elders, yet he chose to while away his days guarding books. Peculiar, but Su Rui didn't pry.
He dove into the stacks. After some searching, he learned the Nine Nether Profound Evil Iron formed from millennial yin fiend corrosion on cold iron, found only in demonic sects' ley lines or extreme yin realms.
The True Phoenix Inner Core came from phoenix-class beasts—nearly extinct in the human realm, like true dragons.
Wind Soul Jade gestated in valleys of ancient gale convergence, nurtured by heaven-earth wind spirits; traces might linger deep in the far north's Tian Feng Valley.
The iron and jade were fiendishly hard to obtain but had vague leads. The phoenix core was the real headache—beasts of that lineage were legends, with scant ancient records.
Forgoing the core and tempering solely with the Heavenly Extreme Demonic Flame Art's black flames could still produce a Robbery Flame.
But that would cripple an already incomplete demonic spear further, slashing its power far below the overlord's promised "rampage through Nascent Souls, contend with Deity Transformation."
Still, that demon lord affirmed a flawed version could be forged here, so phoenix beasts might not be wholly extinct—survivors could lurk somewhere...
Su Rui's mind raced. He closed the tome and returned to the dozing elder, bowing respectfully. "Senior, from my reading, phoenix beasts are all but gone. Are any known to survive today?"
The old man cracked an eyelid, eyeing him askance. "Might be. Why ask? You seriously after that core?"
Su Rui shook his head, smile humble. "Just curiosity, senior—eager for ancient secrets."
The elder snorted, then drawled, "No harm telling you. Eternal Night Palace's saintess Yan Mingli—Palace Lord now—kept a fire phoenix about a century back. If the featherless beast's tough enough to live, it'd have nirvanad into a holy phoenix by now."
"Eternal Night Palace?"
Su Rui's brow twitched. "That demonic powerhouse on Yan Kingdom's border?"
The old man peered closely, teasing. "What's that look? Heart set on it already? Kids these days—no sense of limits!"
"Boy, that fire phoenix was peak Core Formation late-stage a hundred years ago. Nirvana success? Nascent Soul late-stage easy. And its mistress, Yan Mingli—half-step to Deity Transformation, top female cultivator alive! ...Though your master's rise means she'll catch up soon enough."
Half-god realm?
Su Rui frowned, pondering. Tricky for him now—brute force wouldn't pry the core from her grasp.
But cultivators were still human, land gods to mortals or not. Humans had weaknesses, even on heartless paths!
"Oi, daydreaming? Scram if you're done—don't disturb my cultivation!"
The elder's voice snapped him back.
Su Rui flashed a perfectly timed smirk. "Just thinking—Yan Mingli's a pretty name."
The old man chuckled. "Name's the least of it. Century ago, Cultivation World's top beauty. I glimpsed her young; peerless allure... Old news before your master appeared. Now she's number one; Yan's just second."
"Really? I'd like to see what makes this Yan Mingli so captivating."
Su Rui chuckled lightly. Truth be told, he cared more if her phoenix lived. As for her—second to Mu Xueyi? Meh.
He wasn't some stud chasing skirts. Mu Xueyi was his obsession; others only if convenient. Otherwise, no bother.
The elder took it for youthful bravado, grinning. "Bold kid! She's a demonic titan, Palace Lord—not for a Foundation brat to ogle. ...Though in a few days, you might get your chance."
Su Rui perked up. "Oh? How so, senior?"
The old man paused, then explained slowly. "Your master's Nascent Soul ceremony—Sword Sect's inviting everyone, not just righteous paths. Major demonic sects too, Eternal Night included. Shows grace, sure, but also deterrence."
Su Rui blinked in surprise. "Righteous and demonic at one table? No brawls over words?"
The elder scoffed, clapping his shoulder. "Little brother, Cultivation World runs on face and etiquette too. In the spotlight, who dares strike first? Win or lose, reputation tanks—too costly."
Su Rui neither agreed nor argued. Reputation was hollow to him anyway.
Eternal Night Palace, demonic holy land deep in Yan Kingdom's border wilds. Palaces gleamed grandly amid eternal twilight mists.
In a secluded hot spring realm, steam rose lazily from spiritual waters bubbling from ley lines, suffused with faint violet glows that turned the bath into a fairyland.
Yan Mingli bathed there now, her form heaven-sculpted: full, perky breasts, willow-slim waist, round ample hips—curves to steal breath.
Jade-like skin shimmered softly in the violet light; droplets trailed from her slender neck, over collarbones, down proud peaks to ripple the surface—a tableau to boil blood.
Cascading hair clung wet to her back, tips brushing water, adding sultry allure.
Phoenix eyes half-lidded, red lips pursed, breaths deep and steady; invisible pressure radiated—half-god aura bending even heaven and earth to her will.
Even in private soak, her poise held world-defying arrogance, unmoved by aught.
Spring waves lapped; her jade hand stirred, splashes blooming with spirit lights at her fingertips.
She murmured low, pondering profound arts—voice husky,allure, intoxicating the soul.
Light footsteps approached outside, with a crisp call: "Mother, your daughter has matters to report."
Yan Mingli's lids lifted slightly, lips curving meaningfully. "Qingci, come in."
The hall door eased open; Yan Qingci entered the realm.
Clad in sheer ink gauze outlining her lithe figure, she mirrored her mother's brows and eyes but with youthful vigor and edge.
Far from Yan Mingli's power, yet Core Formation late-stage; her air blended icy poise with demonic allure.
"Mother."
Yan Qingci halted poolside, glancing at the bathed Yan Mingli with complex eyes, pouting. "Must we trek miles for Sword Sect's Mu Xueyi Nascent Soul rite? Daughter knows her talent's exceptional, but Eternal Night Palace turning out in force? They're just flexing on us demonics—why humor them?"
Yan Mingli laughed softly, lifting a jade hand from water to toy with her hair; droplets cascaded down her arm, rippling outward.
She rose languidly, waters streaming off to trace curves that would accelerate any man's heart—plush yet firm, a flawless jade statue.
Unveiled, her nude form glowed seductively in violet, aura sharpening; even mists quivered under her pressure.
"Qingci, you're still too young."
Her voice teased yet weighed deep. "Mu Xueyi forming her Nascent Soul at that age proves talent beyond imagination. With Sword Heart Transparent, if she endures, she'll roil the Cultivation World. How not witness such a woman firsthand?"
She paused, eyes narrowing playfully. "Besides, she's the one who bumped Mother from the 'top beauty' throne. I'm curious what grace earns such acclaim."
Yan Qingci's fine brows arched, defiance flashing. She huffed. "Why mind empty titles, Mother? Daughter thinks Mu Xueyi rides righteous prestige. For peerless splendor, who rivals you? You just secluded here pursuing the Dao—world seldom sees."
Yan Mingli's laugh turned allure; jade foot tapped, lights blooming on water. She glided to the edge, soaked hair clinging to her voluptuous frame, radiating lethal temptation.
She eyed Yan Qingci teasingly. "Perhaps. But after centuries on that 'empty' throne, a woman feels... unwilling."
Yan Qingci pursed her lips, grasping her mother's intent, and nodded.
Yan Mingli smiled suddenly, beckoning. "Come, bathe with Mother. This ley-line spiritual spring's a supreme treasure—benefits your cultivation too."
Yan Qingci hesitated briefly, then agreed.
She shed her robes; gauze pooled, baring a body rivaling her mother's grace.
Lithe and curvaceous, snow-pale skin, slim waist, long legs; breasts firm with girlish tautness, less bountiful than her dam's.
She entered the spring; waves danced, framing her more alluringly.
Mother and daughter sat side by side, mists swirling; violet glows half-veiled their peerless forms—like twin beauties from a scroll.
Yan Mingli's gaze softened, hand caressing Yan Qingci's shoulder meaningfully. "Qingci, the Cultivation World brooks no peace. Mu Xueyi's rise is chance and threat alike. We go not just for her, but to gauge the era's tides."
Yan Qingci nodded firmly, resolve in her eyes. "Daughter understands."