Chapter 40: The Half-God's Provocation and Hidden Shame
Mu Xueyi sat poised at the head of the Heavenly Extreme Hall, her clear, cold, and peerlessly beautiful face glowing radiantly under the illumination of spiritual light.
The Star billow Nebula Robe shimmered with flowing colors, making her look like a celestial fairy descended from the ninth heaven.
Yet no one knew that the spirit pill controlled by Su Rui within her body was pulsing violently, inseparable as a shadow, sending waves of shameful pleasure crashing against her resilient Dao heart.
Su Rui lurked amid the crowd, a wicked, roguish smile playing on his lips, his gaze sharp and unyielding as it locked onto Mu Xueyi's alluring figure.
Her forbearance and struggle were, in his eyes, a meticulously orchestrated feast of training, stirring the twisted delight deep in his soul.
He secretly urged his demonic qi to manipulate the spirit pill, intensifying the shameful stimulation, savoring the humiliated expression she barely held together beneath her icy fairy demeanor.
Bai Yu Zhenren noticed the subtle fluctuations in Mu Xueyi's aura and frowned, sending a voice transmission: "Xueyi, why is your aura a bit unstable?"
"It's nothing."
Mu Xueyi replied indifferently, her tone as steady as ever.
She had always been prudent in her actions; since she said it was nothing, Bai Yu Zhenren didn't press further.
Down in the crowd—
"Little Junior Brother! I finally found you!"
A crisp voice suddenly rang out, slightly disrupting Su Rui's enjoyment of Mu Xueyi.
Yun Zhixun hurried over, arriving before him in the blink of an eye. She grabbed his shoulders with both hands and shook him excitedly. "Quick, spill it! What's the deal with Master's fairy robe? When we left, she was still in her usual white gauze dress—how did she switch to this sparkling nebula robe in a flash? Little Junior Brother, fess up!"
Cunning curiosity gleamed in her eyes; she was clearly convinced that Mu Xueyi's Star billow Nebula Robe had something to do with Su Rui.
Qin Zhe stood nearby, his steady face unable to hide a trace of doubt as his gaze involuntarily swept toward Mu Xueyi on the high platform. The fairy robe cascaded like a galaxy, sparkling with spiritual crystals, making her look like a descended immortal.
Su Rui gently shook off Yun Zhixun's hands and gave a lazy smile. "Senior Sister Yun, stop shaking me—any more and I'll pass out. You gonna let me talk or not?"
Yun Zhixun's pretty face flushed slightly. She released him, crossed her arms, and raised an eyebrow. "Fine, talk! What's the story with that robe?"
Su Rui chuckled and told her, "It's called the Star billow Nebula Robe—a treasure I scoured the market stalls for with all my effort. How about it? Doesn't it make Master look like a heavenly beauty?"
Yun Zhixun's eyes widened in shock. "It really was from you? But... Master never cares about clothes or makeup. It took forever just to get her to put on some rouge—how'd you convince her to wear it?"
Su Rui shrugged, his smile loaded with meaning. "Master took one look at my Star billow Nebula Robe, and her eyes lit up! Us women love beauty—it's in our nature. Sure, Master seems aloof and otherworldly on the surface, but deep down..."
He deliberately drew out his words, a sly glint in his eyes. "...she's probably got a bit of a repressed wild side."
"You!"
Qin Zhe's face darkened at that, fury flashing in his eyes. He said gravely, "Su Rui! Don't spout nonsense. Master's pure and exalted reputation won't tolerate your filthy mouth defiling it!"
Yun Zhixun's brows shot up too, chiming in, "Exactly! Little Junior Brother, that mouth of yours has no filter!"
Su Rui sneered inwardly.You idiots call her pure and exalted? Laozi's already toyed with every inch of her body except that tender little Chrysanthemum Point—flipped her over and over till she's mine.Right now, under that cold, dignified facade, she's a naked slut inside, her tight White Tiger Steamed Bun Hole clenching that wicked, throbbing spirit pill. Bet every twitch makes her shiver with shame!
Of course, on the surface, he smiled and said, "My bad, mouth slipped. So, tell me—doesn't Master look stunning in the Star billow Nebula Robe?"
Qin Zhe ltarlan Nebula Robe coldly, but his gaze drifted uncontrollably to the platform.
Beneath the Starlan Nebula Robe, Mu Xueyi's figure was graceful and enchanting—towering snow peaks at her chest, a waist slender as a willow, and the faint rouge on her brows adding a stunning charming to her icy aura.
He murmured, "Naturally... she's breathtakingly beautiful. Just like you said—even the legendary Goddess Niangniang probably can't match Master's elegance."
No sooner had he spoken than a complex emotion flickered in his eyes. The thought of such a perfect woman devoting her heart to that fool Li Chengxuan ignited a scorching jealousy in him, his fists clenching unconsciously.
Su Rui caught the shadow in Qin Zhe's eyes and smirked inwardly.
That jealousy was exactly what he needed. With a subtle nudge of the demonic qi he'd planted in Qin Zhe's body, he could turn this senior brother into a sharp blade to eliminate Li Chengxuan.
The Nascent Soul ceremony officially began, immortal music soaring as representatives from various sects stepped forward with gifts.
Spiritual treasures, immortal pills, secret manuals—everything dazzling, showcasing each sect's profound heritage.
Mu Xueyi sat at the head, composed and elegant, responding graciously to each one with poised words and gestures that embodied the Sword Sect prodigy's splendor.
But only she knew: with every polite phrase, every movement, the spirit pill throbbed violently, unleashing waves of shameful pleasure.
She bit her pearly teeth, sword intent circulating through her body to forcibly suppress the stimulation threatening to shatter her Dao heart.
Su Rui's gaze burned hot, reveling in her strained endurance, his heart brimming with savage joy.
Who could imagine? The Cultivation World's number one beauty, Sword Sect's peerless prodigy, was bare and vacuumed inside at his command, her White Tiger Steamed Bun Hole stuffed with that lewd spirit pill.
This secret dominance made him want to roar with laughter.
At that moment, an inky figure rose abruptly.
Yan Mingli's gauze skirt trailed the ground as she glided toward the main platform, her steps elegant and unhurried, an invisible pressure radiating from her that silenced the entire hall in an instant.
Countless eyes focused on her—the Eternal Night Palace Lord, the world-renowned half-god powerhouse, was finally making her move!
"Mu Fairy, congratulations on your Nascent Soul formation. This palace has a gift for you as well."
Yan Mingli's red lips parted slightly, her voice lazy yet carrying undeniable authority.
With a flick of her jade hand, a pill swirling with dark light hovered in the air, exuding thick demonic qi laced with the vast spiritual power Nascent Soul cultivators craved.
The hall's occupants' expressions shifted.
Demonic path cultivators were stunned by Yan Mingli's generosity; righteous path ones frowned without exception—this was the Xuanmo Condensing Essence Pill, which massively boosted a Nascent Soul cultivator's spiritual power accumulation. Incredibly precious, but tainted by demonic qi in its refinement, few from the righteous path dared touch it.
This was clearly a provocation!
Mu Xueyi's brows furrowed slightly, but since the gift was offered, she had to accept. Her voice was icy: "Many thanks for Yan Palace Lord's kind intentions. Xueyi is grateful."
Yan Mingli's phoenix eyes narrowed, a meaningful curve hooking her lips. She drawled, "Mu Fairy, if your Nascent Soul ceremony is just tea and discourse, wouldn't that be dreadfully dull? As today's star, why not show off your divine abilities and let everyone witness the unparalleled splendor of Sword Sect's prodigy?"
She paused, a faint battle intent threading her voice. "This palace happens to be itching for a fight. Care to let me test that Sword Heart Transparent of yours personally... Mu Fairy, do you dare face me?"
The words ignited an uproar.
Bai Yu Zhenren shot to his feet. "Yan Palace Lord, challenging a fresh Nascent Soul with your half-god status is beneath you! If you want to see Xueyi's abilities, this old man can arrange a same-realm opponent—no need for you to step in."
Yan Mingli chuckled lightly, her overwhelming spiritual pressure retracting like a tide, compressing in an instant to early Nascent Soul. "Bai Yu Zhenren worries too much. This palace has no habit of bullying the weak. Since I've spoken, it's naturally a same-realm bout."
Her phoenix eyes returned to Mu Xueyi. "In all my years of cultivation, this is the first time this palace has sealed my own cultivation to spar with a junior. Mu Fairy won't refuse, will you?"
Xuan Qing Zhenren hurriedly sent a voice transmission to Mu Xueyi, urgent: "Xueyi, don't accept! Even suppressed, this demoness has three centuries of cultivation and battle experience beyond your imagination. Her techniques are insidious, her treasures endless. Even if your Sword Heart Transparent has evolved to Sword Heart Unity, you can't beat her at the same realm!"
Yet upon hearing this, Mu Xueyi slowly rose, her Star billow Nebula Robe gleaming in the spiritual light.
Cold light swirled in her peach-blossom eyes, her voice clear and sharp as a blade: "Since Yan Palace Lord is so eager, Xueyi will oblige."
The crowd erupted again.
Yan Mingli's lips curved faintly, approval flashing in her eyes. "To form a Nascent Soul at such a young age—your temperament is indeed extraordinary."
Her phoenix eyes shifted, glancing sidelong at Xuan Qing Zhenren as her tone cooled: "Unlike some old fogeys, stuck at Nascent Soul peak after eight hundred years, never advancing an inch."
A bitter smile crossed Xuan Qing Zhenren's face; he lowered his head silently.
On the path of cultivation, talent and fortune were both essential.
In this era of thinning spiritual qi, reaching late-stage Nascent Soul peak with middling talent was already his limit.
Yan Mingli, like Mu Xueyi, possessed an innate Dao body. In just three centuries, she'd reached half-god peak.
Even God Transformation was only a matter of time for her.
No one doubted that.
Below, Qin Zhe's face grew grave. "Master's too reckless. Even suppressed, Yan Mingli's half-god techniques and treasures remain. Master's Sword Heart Transparent might not hold against her!"
Yun Zhixun clenched her fists unconsciously, murmuring agreement: "Master must see the demonic sects subtly led by Yan Mingli! Defeating her publicly at the same realm would crush their morale and boost our righteous path's prestige. But..."
—How could Sword Heart Transparent alone bridge three centuries of battle experience, techniques, and treasures?
That was the thought in most cultivators' minds.
A faint smile tugged at Su Rui's lips.
If Mu Xueyi still only had Sword Heart Transparent, she'd indeed struggle against Yan Mingli. But most didn't know her sword heart had evolved to Sword Heart Unity—a supreme sacred body even the Demon Venerable feared.
With that, she could erase the seemingly insurmountable gap with Yan Mingli.
Su Rui's gaze swept over the anxious Yun Zhixun. This little senior sister had half-guessed it—Mu Xueyi accepted to intimidate the demonic path, steeling herself for this seemingly fair but utterly unfair fight.
Of course, even if she refused, Su Rui would force her hand.
This battle suited him perfectly—a stone for three birds!
First, he'd witness the true power of Mu Xueyi's post-Nascent Soul Sword Heart Unity; second, probe Yan Mingli's depths for future plans; third—and most crucial—confirm if the legendary fire phoenix was still with Yan Mingli!
Outside Heavenly Extreme Hall, Trial Sword Plaza.
White jade paved the ground, spiritual light flowing as it reflected the floating viewing platforms overhead.
The platforms buzzed with voices; even low-rank disciples barred from the hall swarmed upon hearing the Cultivation World's top two beauties would duel, packing the surroundings airtight.
With the crowds surging, the peak masters and grand elders joined forces. Vast Nascent Soul power surged out, expanding the viewing platforms several times over in moments.
Righteous and demonic cultivators gathered as one, countless blazing gazes fixed on the central dueling platform.
An intangible tension thickened the air.
Mu Xueyi lightly tapped her foot, the Star billow Nebula Robe swaying like a rippling galaxy as she landed gracefully at the platform's center.
Her frost-cold beauty was matchless under the spiritual glow, the fairy robe clinging lightly to her body, outlining her towering, proud snow peaks, willow-slender waist, and plump, perky peach hips.
Such mesmerizing curves wove a lethal allure, enough to drive any cultivator mad.
Cold light swirled in her peach-blossom eyes, yet it couldn't hide a trace of secret bashfulness, as if suppressing some unspeakable throb.
With a flick of her slender hand, Minglan sang as it unsheathed, sword intent piercing the heavens like invisible blades rending the sky.
"What a beauty, what fierce sword intent! That's Mu Xueyi? The Cultivation World's top beauty!"
Cultivators on the platforms held their breath, gazes locked by the chilling sword light—awed by her Nascent Soul might, intoxicated by her aloof, transcendent elegance.
Su Rui stood at one corner of a platform, eyes glued to the Minglan in Mu Xueyi's hand.
This sword was forged by Sword Sect's founding ancestor from divine iron infused with phoenix true blood, its spirituality boundless—hence "Minglan."
Pity that phoenix had perished long ago; otherwise, Su Rui wouldn't eye Yan Mingli's, coveting her potentially Nirvana-evolved holy phoenix.
As the crowd drowned in Mu Xueyi's allure, an inky figure arrived gracefully, stealing every gaze.
Yan Mingli treaded the void with elegant poise, like an otherworldly night fairy untouched by dust.
Her ink-black gauze skirt clung like spiritual mist, tracing suffocating curves—massive breasts towering above all, waist slender as a willow, hips round and full, swaying with endless allure that left countless male cultivators parched and hearts pounding.
"She... she's the Eternal Night Palace Lord... Yan Mingli!"
A young cultivator whispered in awe, eyes mixing admiration and reverence, his voice piercing the hush.
"Worthy of the Cultivation World's second beauty. She may not match Senior Sister Mu's pure loveliness, but that figure... soul-stealing!"
Another Sword Sect cultivator lowered his voice, tone laced with undisguised awe, eyes averting her proud peaks lest his mind falter.
"Those blessings—if I could grab and knead them, what ecstasy!"
A slightly plump low-rank cultivator blurted thoughtlessly, his low voice grating in the quiet platform.
By ill luck, Yan Qingci stood nearby. Her phoenix eyes—much like her mother Yan Mingli's—glared coldly, late Core Formation pressure crashing like a frost wave, jolting the man. His eyes bulged in terror.
Recognizing Yan Qingci's resemblance to Yan Mingli, he realized she was the daughter and dropped to his knees, trembling: "I spoke out of turn—spare... spare me, Immortal!"
"Scram."
Yan Qingci's voice was frosty steel, brooking no defiance.
The cultivator paled like clay, stumbling back in panic, sweat pouring.
The platform's cultivators, witnessing this, dared no more gossip on Yan Mingli, shifting to Mu Xueyi instead.
This irked Yan Qingci further, but this wasn't demonic turf—otherwise, that loudmouth and these gawkers would all be erased!