Chapter 626 - 301: Ji Lingruo’s Troubles (2)

The Third Elder listened with increasing alarm, but after a thorough examination, the conclusion was finally reached—

She was simply fattened up by You Su, without any signs of pregnancy inside her.

After receiving the definite answer, the kind expression on the old lady’s face vanished, and she asked sternly:

"Is it a human cultivator?"

"He is my senior brother..."

The old lady took a deep breath: "Did he defile you?"

Ji Lingruo glanced shyly but couldn’t hide the truth from the healer: "We occasionally engage in dual cultivation..."

The old lady’s dry eyes widened, and then she shot a glance at the silently standing Third Elder, angrily saying:

"Mr. Bihua, don’t you know the principle that humans and demons are different? How can you allow the disciples of your sect to behave so recklessly! I’ve always advocated for harmonious human-yao relations, but do you humans have to ruin even such an outstanding genius of the Demon Race!!"

The atmosphere suddenly became tense and awkward, and Mr. Bihua, caught off guard by the accusations, had grievances but couldn’t express them, secretly grumbling:

Clearly, it was the work of the Thirteenth Elder, I’m not You Su’s mother, why are you yelling at me...

Ji Lingruo naturally couldn’t bear seeing Mr. Bihua being reprimanded because of her, so she hurriedly explained:

"My senior brother and I truly love each other... I know you’re concerned about me, but I’m willing, he treats me really, really well..."

"But still... sigh!" the old lady wanted to say more but stopped, angrily frustrated, "You’re so young, just at the stage of rapidly increasing cultivation, how can your future path be confined to a child?"

Ji Lingruo pressed her cherry-red lips together, hesitating, "I’m very careful, remember every time..."

As for You Su, he was also very responsible, always staying by her side, reminding her once she regained some energy.

"What if one slips through the net?"

"Mr. Hou, don’t rush to conclusions, check Miss Lingruo’s pulse first," the Third Elder reminded.

The old lady named Hou raised her gray brows and placed her hand on Ji Lingruo’s slender, outstretched wrist.

She checked carefully and unexpectedly found that there was indeed no second life inside the girl, only a pure Demon Pill circulating smoothly.

"Not pregnant?!"

The old lady couldn’t believe it, checked again, and then quietly said:

"A breakthrough in cultivation can strengthen the body, and having a bigger appetite is quite natural. It seems the dizziness and chest tightness are because you took too long to break through, causing a mismatch between consciousness and body, leading to exhaustion of heart power."

Ji Lingruo patted her prominent chest, heaving a sigh of relief, secretly thinking as long as she wasn’t pregnant, it was fine...

"So, Mr. Hou means that Lingruo’s consciousness thinks she should have broken through, but her body doesn’t agree yet, hence the mismatch?" the Third Elder inquired with concern.

"Correct, it seems the prolonged period has made Miss Lingruo too anxious. But the Demon Race’s water condensation is innately more challenging than the Human Race’s, as it also requires the knowledge of shapeshifting. Adding to that, your Demon Pill is harder to satisfy, so it naturally takes much longer for your breakthrough. So, you must relax and avoid anxiety."

The old lady advised earnestly, seemingly having altogether forgotten that this yaoji’s partner was a human cultivator.

Ji Lingruo thought to herself, it seems like both humans and demons experience this: when something even more unacceptable arises, what was previously unacceptable becomes insignificant.

"I see..."

The Third Elder, who didn’t know much about the cultivation of Demon Race cultivators, felt relieved after hearing this, "Then should Lingruo just return to rest quietly and wait for the breakthrough to succeed?"

"You can, but..." the old lady hesitated again.

"But what?" the Third Elder asked.

"But demon shapeshifting is no trivial matter, and it’s crucial for demons in gaining the upper hand over human cultivators in battle and on the future path. Miss Lingruo carries great providence, which is vital for the resurrection of the Snake Race. Enlightenment of form here on your own is possible, but I still suggest you return to your clan for shapeshifting.

"I have reminded her too, but this child simply refuses to leave," the Third Elder shook his head helplessly, distancing himself from the matter.

Ji Lingruo lowered her head slightly, like a child who had made a mistake.

She could feel the concern of this older demon was sincere, after all, both of them felt like they were abroad, hometown folks meeting each other, almost moved to tears, she felt like the elder was one of those relatives in the Snake Race.

"I can manage myself... isn’t it just turning into a snake? How hard can it be?" the girl still stubbornly argued.

"How can Miss Lingruo be so dismissive? It’s a great matter for demons, and once you succeed in shapeshifting, it’s hard to change later. It’s not like you’re a little demon without clan or sect, who can only rely on yourself. Even if the Snake Race has declined, they still have a deep foundation. Returning to the clan at least ensures your shapeshifted demon body will match your talents."

The old woman’s tone was extremely righteous. As an emissary of Star Shining Divine Mountain assigned to Henggao Divine Mountain, she had seen too many humans harbor malice towards the Demon Race. She sincerely hoped that every young demon would not go down the wrong path.

Ji Lingruo bowed her head even lower. How could she not understand that the transformation of the Demon Race emphasized ’visualization’?

To visualize is to learn from the experiences of predecessors, gaining a rough outline of a demon body from the specimens and images left by the clan.

To imagine is to make one’s own demon body more suited to one’s needs within a reasonable range.

Those extremely creative demon geniuses can conceive a unique demon body. For example, if a hedgehog spirit cultivates to transformation and is good at poison techniques, through imagination, it can add toxins to its transformed body spines.

But this isn’t something that can be accomplished through mere wishing; one must be extremely cautious. Overestimating one’s abilities only leads to trouble, and the seemingly wonderful form ends up being an illusion, less effective in battle than the most basic form.

For demon cultivators lacking creativity, rather than trying to imagine themselves, it’s better to find a kindred spirit and imitate them, which tends to have a higher floor of success.

"But... so many days have passed. Instead of having Lingruo run around in the midst of breaking through, wouldn’t it be better to let her rest quietly in the sect?" asked the Third Elder.

The old woman shook her head, "I’m beginning to suspect that the reason Miss Lingruo hasn’t broken through is that she simply has no idea what form she wants to take."

Upon hearing this, the Third Elder immediately furrowed her eyebrows, "Lingruo, why are you so careless about your future?!"

Ji Lingruo’s eyes flickered, and she quickly shook her head, "Third Elder, it’s not that I don’t care. I have an idea, it’s just quite difficult..."

Unfortunately, the image of being infatuated with love was already etched in the minds of the two elders, and they didn’t believe her words, thinking she was just being stubborn.

"Mr. Bihua, don’t rush to blame her... it’s normal for young people to be a bit arrogant. Many demon youths believe they can visualize a unique form to catapult themselves to success. But despite the countless prodigies, how many truly succeed?"

The old woman kept shaking her head. She had witnessed many demon prodigies fall during the transformation, so she was qualified to say such things:

"Fortunately, Miss Lingruo’s Demon Pill is not yet mature. She has about ten days before reaching the breakthrough limit, enough time for her to return to the Snake Race. Even if Miss Lingruo has creative ideas, returning to the Snake Race will help her realize them better."

The Third Elder sighed, knowing full well that Ji Lingruo wasn’t being arrogant; she simply couldn’t bear to leave You Su.

"I understand. Sorry for the trouble, Mr. Hou. I will prepare to send her back to the Snake Race."

"It’s no trouble at all. I’ll take my leave now. Miss Lingruo, please remain calm and introspective to find your desired demon body."

The old woman stood up, gave her advice, and wisely took her leave.

"Pack your things. I’ll take you to board the boat now," the Third Elder said despite their concern for Ji Lingruo.

"Third Elder, we still have ten days... there’s no rush, right?"

Ji Lingruo was cautious, knowing that returning to the Snake Race was inevitable but also not wanting to leave immediately.

"What, do you plan to bid your senior brother a proper farewell?"

Ji Lingruo felt a bitterness in her heart. She thought coming to the Divine Mountain would allow her to stay with her senior brother, but the sweet days were fleeting, and they each became busy.

After the senior sister joined, her emotional exchanges with You Su became even less frequent, mostly just bedside chatting...

Although their relationship had long been intimate, requiring no maintenance, being a woman she was inevitably nostalgic for that gradual warming feeling.

"Today is my birthday. I want to leave after today..."

Ji Lingruo’s voice was soft and pleading.

"Did he promise you he’d come back?"

The Third Elder’s tone softened. She knew that You Su’s constant assignments were not by choice.

"Hmm..."

The Third Elder softly sighed, gently stroking the long hair at the back of the young girl’s head:

"Then you must leave tomorrow, no later. I’ll send a message to the Snake Race to prepare."

"Thank you, Third Elder!" Ji Lingruo’s smile was like a blooming flower.

The Third Elder shook her head again, but inwardly was threatening You Su:

Oh, you are lucky in love, but you can’t just enjoy it.

Even if you’re busy with official business, you shouldn’t neglect your partner’s feelings.

You better make sure to come back today!