Chapter 380 ·Heavenly Demon Dance

Five ‍​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​​​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌‌‌​‌‍Dragon Islands.

Although ‍​‌​‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍Li Tianmo had failed Core Formation, he was still a direct disciple of the Profound Sound Pavilion at Late Foundation Establishment.

This ‍​‌​‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍wedding celebration was held within his own cave abode, and quite a number of fellow disciples and Dao companions he had befriended over the years came to offer congratulations.

Furthermore, ‍​‌​‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍the Zhou Family woman he married was not the daughter of the current clan head, but she was still a Foundation Establishment female cultivator.

Moreover, ‍​‌​‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍within Yue Kingdom itself, the Zhou Family was a False Core family.

Among ‍​‌​‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍the lower-level disciples of the Profound Sound Pavilion, no one would be foolish enough to offend them.

Whether it was Li Tianmo, who stood at Peak Late Foundation Establishment, or the reputation of the Zhou Family, both carried enough face.

For a time, the wedding celebration was extremely lively.

“Brother Li, congratulations.”

Shen Zhuang arrived with a face full of smiles to offer his congratulations.

After this failed Core Formation attempt, Li Tianmo had gained several additional traces of steadiness. Upon seeing the arrival, he smiled and cupped his fists.

“I can’t compare to Brother Shen, who married the Mei Family woman early on and already has two children.”

Faced with Li Tianmo’s teasing, Shen Zhuang laughed openly.

Behind him followed his wife, Mei Ning.

She was precisely Senior Sister Mei Ning, who had once participated alongside them in the Profound Sound Pavilion sect competition and cultivated year-round on Celestial Spring Peak.

Now she was also a Foundation Establishment cultivator, and the two shared deep affection.

“Congratulations, Fellow Daoist Li.”

On Li Tianmo’s joyous day, Zhou Bingxuan also arrived smiling to offer congratulations.

As Zhou Bingxuan appeared, many people around immediately cupped their fists in greeting.

First, the Zhou Family had developed rather well.

After all, within Yue Kingdom they possessed a Quasi Third-rank Blackwater Turtle. So long as no accidents occurred, it was enough to preserve the family for a thousand years.

Second, the Zhou Family had developed quite well over recent years, and it was said they had continuously provided cultivation resources to support Zhou Bingxuan.

Interactions between cultivators were not solely about fighting and killing.

There was also the matter of social relationships.

Especially among cultivators within the Profound Sound Pavilion, most originated from Yue Kingdom itself, so naturally everyone helped each other while outside.

“Junior Sister Zhou, perhaps the next time we meet, Li will need to address you as Senior Zhou.”

Sometimes Li Tianmo truly envied Zhou Bingxuan.

Her family continuously supplied cultivation resources while simultaneously not becoming a burden.

How could such circumstances not inspire envy?

“Senior Brother Li jests. Core Formation is unimaginably difficult.”

Zhou Bingxuan shook her head while speaking.

She herself possessed little confidence regarding Core Formation.

Although the Zhou Family was not weak, that only applied relative to ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivators.

They still did not enter the eyes of Core Formation cultivators.

Li Tianmo could not conceal the envy within his eyes.

Meanwhile, Zhou Bingxuan sighed softly.

Others only saw the current prosperity of the Zhou Family, but how many people had witnessed the several hundred years of development the Zhou Family endured?

Over these centuries, how many catastrophes had the Zhou Family survived?

The Zhou Family’s current status was built step by step over the efforts of more than ten or twenty generations.

Meanwhile, how many generations had the Li Family developed through so far?

At this wedding celebration, Fairy of Rainbow Skirt did not personally attend.

She merely arranged for someone to deliver a congratulatory gift.

As for the Lin Chang’an whom Li Tianmo constantly hoped to see—

he also did not come.

Although Li Tianmo felt somewhat disappointed inwardly, it was still acceptable.

The other disciples likewise found nothing strange about it.

After all, when Core Formation cultivators entered secluded cultivation, shorter sessions lasted one or two years while longer ones could span decades.

However, amidst the festive celebration, after everyone had dispersed—

Li Tianmo noticed a particular gift among the pile of congratulatory offerings.

“Many thanks, Great Granduncle!”

The gift itself was not especially valuable.

Yet after seeing it, Li Tianmo still could not help but shed tears.

……

Under the moonlight, through the octagonal pavilion on Celestial Spring Peak, one could vaguely see the lively wedding celebration in the distance.

“Why doesn’t Fellow Daoist Lin go?”

“What would I go there for? To give these juniors unrealistic fantasies?”

Within the octagonal pavilion, Lin Chang’an calmly sipped Spirit Tea while his gaze drifted toward the festive lights in the distance.

His emotions did not fluctuate much.

Seeing this, Fairy of Rainbow Skirt also nodded lightly in agreement.

“Yes. Humans are this kind of creature. Clearly knowing something will never happen again, yet if Fellow Daoist Lin appeared, they would inevitably develop fantasies they should not have.

Sometimes resolving mortal ties earlier and peacefully pursuing the Great Dao of Immortality is beneficial both for others and oneself.”

Unrealistic fantasies often brought disaster.

Fairy of Rainbow Skirt glanced toward Lin Chang’an and revealed a gentle smile as she slowly raised her hand to refill his tea.

“Fellow Daoist, after this secret realm journey, do you intend to temporarily leave?”

Faced with Fairy of Rainbow Skirt’s question, Lin Chang’an did not find it strange and instead nodded lightly in acknowledgment.

After all, the two had known each other for many years.

Fairy of Rainbow Skirt had long realized that Lin Chang’an did not wish to casually join major factions.

Especially with the Demon Beast Sea Abyss currently in such turmoil.

Once matters escalated further, even joining a major faction would not guarantee peace.

Moreover, if one managed to emerge alive from the secret realm, who could know whether they possessed treasures upon them?

Thus, most cultivators who exited the secret realm would first hide away and quietly digest their gains.

Just like Blood Fiend True Person back then.

Even such a famous Peak Late Core Formation cultivator still had to act this way.

“And what about Fellow Daoist?”

Lin Chang’an smiled while asking in return.

Under the moonlight, Fairy of Rainbow Skirt appeared exceptionally ethereal.

At this moment, with a faint smile lingering upon her lips, she teasingly replied:

“This one is unlike Fellow Daoist Lin, who openly cooperates with the Sixth Elder of Bihai Palace until everyone knows about it. Outsiders will only assume this one is cultivating in seclusion within her cave abode.

After all, I never participated in competing for fragmented secret realm maps.”

The meaning behind her words was obvious.

Fairy of Rainbow Skirt would also enter the secret realm, but she naturally intended to conceal her identity.

Although Lin Chang’an felt curious where she had obtained a fragmented secret realm map, he did not ask further.

After all, everyone possessed their own secrets.

“I have also already arranged matters within the Profound Sound Pavilion. If I fail to return, Ruyu will oversee sect affairs. Together with Xu Lingfeng and the other Core Formation cultivators—

the sect will maintain mutual defense alongside the Seven Kingdoms Alliance. For the Seven Kingdoms Alliance, a Profound Sound Pavilion lacking a Late Core Formation cultivator may not necessarily be a bad thing.”

Fairy of Rainbow Skirt softly explained her arrangements, even clearly outlining plans concerning Yue Kingdom itself.

“If the turmoil within the Demon Beast Sea Abyss expands too greatly, the Profound Sound Pavilion will first arrange for one Core Formation cultivator to retreat back to Yue Kingdom.”

After hearing this, Lin Chang’an secretly nodded.

Fairy of Rainbow Skirt’s arrangements were already considered quite prudent.

The Profound Sound Pavilion had developed to its current level over many years.

So long as they did not offend Nascent Soul factions, it would not be easily destroyed.

One could only say that prosperity and decline naturally fluctuated over time.

“If one day Fellow Daoist Lin successfully attains Nascent Soul, I hope Fellow Daoist will not forget the century-long friendship with the Profound Sound Pavilion. Merely offering occasional protection so the sect’s Dao lineage does not perish would suffice.”

At the end, Fairy of Rainbow Skirt even raised her Spirit Tea cup, revealing rare solemnity within her eyes.

Seeing this, Lin Chang’an also inhaled deeply before raising his own Spirit Tea and solemnly replying:

“If one day Fellow Daoist Rainbow Skirt achieves Nascent Soul, and there is no news whatsoever from Lin, then I hope Fellow Daoist will remember me and simply offer three cups of Spirit Tea. That alone will be enough.”

The two looked at one another before both smiling.

Within the cultivation world filled with schemes and deception, there were too few Dao companions capable of genuine sincerity.

Even close friends who would not abandon one another in life-and-death situations could still turn hostile over certain opportunities.

Even loving Dao companion couples together for several hundred years sometimes became bitter enemies over opportunities.

Thus, genuine emotions within the cultivation world were exceedingly rare.

Both sides likewise maintained restraint.

“These past years, although that Alchemist Wen still retains the title of elder within the Profound Sound Pavilion, in reality it exists only in name. He frequently enters and exits the Fog Sea of Tongtian.

Clearly he also harbors intentions of avoiding disaster. Even the Four Seas Merchant Guild has attempted to recruit him.”

Once Lin Chang’an left, the Profound Sound Pavilion would seemingly lose considerable strength.

Yet in truth, this might not necessarily be a bad thing for the sect.

At the very least, they would not stand out excessively and attract attention.

Regarding this matter, Lin Chang’an felt somewhat awkward.

After all, he himself had spent these years cultivating on Bibo Island.

As a result, his avatar frequently remained “offline.”

Furthermore, after the Profound Sound Pavilion previously exhausted nearly all its resources to support Core Formation attempts, the number of high-level medicinal pills refined had greatly decreased.

Ordinary medicinal pills could already be refined by cultivators within the sect itself.

As a result, the existence of Alchemist Wen no longer held much significance.

“By the way, when I previously went to Sea Abyss City to meet the Sixth Elder, I happened to encounter an auction held by Treasure Light Pavilion. I purchased two spirit fruits there and entrusted Fellow Daoist Wen to refine them.

Only recently did Fellow Daoist Wen finally complete the pills.”

Lin Chang’an took out a bottle of Mid Third-rank medicinal pills.

For him, these medicinal pills no longer held much effect after breaking through to Mid Core Formation.

Seeing this, Fairy of Rainbow Skirt revealed delight.

“Previously, I was somewhat worried. Junior Sister Liu only possesses Peak Early Core Formation strength. In the short term things are fine, but over time she may not necessarily be able to suppress Junior Brother Xu.

Now that Fellow Daoist Lin has provided these medicinal pills, Junior Sister Liu will surely break through sooner.”

Once Lin Chang’an left, aside from herself, the sect would only possess Xu Lingfeng as a Mid Core Formation cultivator.

The rest were merely Early Core Formation cultivators.

However, Xu Lingfeng’s methods were far too aggressive, which was precisely her concern.

But if Liu Ruyu successfully broke through to Mid Core Formation, then the sect would possess two Mid Core Formation cultivators.

That would be enough to suppress Xu Lingfeng.

“Many thanks, Fellow Daoist.”

“Fellow Daoist is too courteous.”

Previously, the resources used to refine these medicinal pills had mostly been gathered jointly by the two of them.

However, because they could not find suitable main ingredients, the materials had remained with Lin Chang’an all this time.

Now that the spiritual pills were complete, Lin Chang’an no longer needed them.

But for the Profound Sound Pavilion, these were strategic resources.

In the future, if anyone encountered a bottleneck difficult to overcome, these spiritual pills might perhaps create another Mid Core Formation cultivator for the sect.

After receiving the entire bottle containing two medicinal pills, Fairy of Rainbow Skirt rejoiced while also not forgetting to reimburse Lin Chang’an for half the spirit stone cost of the materials.

Friendship was friendship.

Business was business.

If one relied solely upon friendship to freeload endlessly, then eventually that friendship would disappear.

“Today, Fellow Daoist Lin has resolved a major concern within Nishang’s heart. Taking advantage of this beautiful night scenery, Nishang shall perform a dance for Fellow Daoist.”

Perhaps because a burden had been lifted from her heart—

or perhaps because after the secret realm journey, neither knew whether they would survive—

beneath the curtain of moonlight, the usually lofty Fairy of Rainbow Skirt revealed her face capable of toppling nations as silk ribbons swirled around the pavilion while she danced gracefully.

The silver cords and golden bells upon her wrists—magical artifacts themselves—produced heavenly melodies, ethereal and crystal clear.

At this moment, dressed in a cyan-white palace gown, Fairy of Rainbow Skirt resembled an immortal fairy stepping out from a painting as she danced gracefully.

Seated within the pavilion, Lin Chang’an quietly admired the breathtaking scene.

Meanwhile, the Sword Attendant, who had just emerged from the cave abode, also witnessed this sight.

Within her pair of heterochromatic eyes, a trace of envy appeared involuntarily.

Meanwhile, the Green-horned Ox within the water pool merely raised its head and curled its lips in boredom toward the dance.

Only the gentle music made it feel somewhat comfortable.

However, as the Six Desires Demonic Art blossomed, one’s mind also felt strangely stirred.

Vaguely, it guided people into an indescribable state.

The sensation resembled enlightenment—

yet also seemed lacking by a small margin.

After one dance ended, Fairy of Rainbow Skirt stood beneath the moonlight covered in fragrant perspiration, her face somewhat pale.

Clearly, her mental energy consumption had been tremendous.

Meanwhile, Lin Chang’an and the Sword Attendant remained immersed within the experience.

Vaguely, they both felt as though their mental states had undergone elevation.

After a long while, Lin Chang’an finally exhaled deeply and revealed gratitude while looking at the exhausted Fairy of Rainbow Skirt.

“Many thanks, Fellow Daoist Rainbow Skirt.”

“Fellow Daoist Lin is too courteous. Although over these years we each obtained what we needed from one another, some favors are still difficult to forget.”

Fairy of Rainbow Skirt walked tiredly into the octagonal pavilion.

Looking toward Lin Chang’an in white robes, handsome and elegant beyond compare, her lips moved slightly as though momentarily overcome by impulse.

Yet she forcibly suppressed the feeling again, causing embarrassment to flash within her eyes.

That fleeting gaze from Fairy of Rainbow Skirt, seemingly wishing to devour him whole—

how could it escape the perception of the highly perceptive Lin Chang’an?

This caused Lin Chang’an to frown slightly.

Logically speaking, Fairy of Rainbow Skirt should not behave this way.

“Fellow Daoist, that dance just now was…?”

“That dance is a secret technique from the Six Desires Demonic Art known as the Heavenly Demon Dance. It can stimulate a cultivator’s desires to the utmost, bringing them into their most sensitive state, thereby allowing entry into a wondrous realm second only to the unity of heaven and man enlightenment state…”

Listening to Fairy of Rainbow Skirt’s explanation, Lin Chang’an finally understood.

No wonder the sensation earlier had felt so wondrous, almost identical to enlightenment, yet still somehow lacking.

After all, one state was natural enlightenment while the other was artificially induced.

Naturally, there would be some difference.

Yet at this moment, Fairy of Rainbow Skirt looked toward the Sword Attendant standing at the entrance of the cave abode and revealed envy.

“Fellow Daoist Qiu’s talent truly is terrifying. She actually entered a state of enlightenment for such a long time.”

Sure enough—

the Sword Attendant currently stood there blankly, streams of light flickering within her empty eyes as she remained immersed within some state of comprehension.

At this moment, sounds of sleeping also emerged from the water pool.

The Green-horned Ox had actually fallen asleep while lying within the pool.

A Mid Third-rank great demon beast falling asleep merely from watching a dance?

Clearly, it too had entered some kind of enlightenment state.

This left Lin Chang’an speechless.

Just moments ago, he had felt his own state during the dance was lacking something.

And now these two—

what exactly was this supposed to mean?

Were they mocking his low comprehension ability?

“Fellow Daoist’s spirit beast possesses an honest and straightforward temperament. Such a state actually aligns naturally with the intent of heaven and earth.”

Fairy of Rainbow Skirt seemed to realize something as well and could not help but smile while speaking.

Lin Chang’an felt utterly speechless.

Meanwhile, within the cave abode, the Fengming Bird—watching everything through the restrictions—also widened its eyes.

What was the meaning of this?

Could it be that beings with too many scheming thoughts, whether humans or birds, naturally possessed worse comprehension ability?

No, that couldn’t be right.

It should simply mean the dance itself was not truly perfect.

The Fengming Bird had many scheming thoughts, but that did not mean its comprehension was poor.

One could only say that under this artificial secret technique, the purer one’s heart became, the easier it was to enter higher states.

“Gulp.”

The soft sound of swallowing tea echoed.

Fairy of Rainbow Skirt’s face reddened slightly as she forcibly suppressed the desires within her heart.

This secret technique was not easy to activate.

Likewise, it also greatly stimulated the user’s own desires.

Facing Lin Chang’an, this close Dao companion and such a feast for the eyes—

to say she felt no attraction would naturally be false.

In truth, male and female cultivators were the same.

When facing beauty they admired, no one truly remained unmoved.

“Fellow Daoist Rainbow Skirt, it seems this secret technique is not easy to use either.”

Although Lin Chang’an also somewhat savored the memory of Fairy of Rainbow Skirt performing the Heavenly Demon Dance, seeing her current appearance allowed him to roughly guess the situation.

Immediately afterward, he extended his hand and gently grasped her warm jade-like hands.

Fairy of Rainbow Skirt instinctively trembled.

The next moment, pure Profound Heaven magical power flowed into her body.

This gradually calmed the desires within Fairy of Rainbow Skirt’s heart.

Yet while looking at the figure before her, a deep impression still remained within her heart.

Desire was desire.

One’s heart was one’s heart.

The two were separate matters entirely.

At the same time, Lin Chang’an secretly marveled inwardly.

This Six Desires Demonic Art truly was terrifying.

It actually possessed such divine abilities.

It truly deserved the title of the number one demonic cultivation method.

Thinking about it carefully—

during battle, if one’s desires unknowingly became amplified, then once greed emerged, the dangers faced would naturally multiply.

This cultivation method could even uncover flaws within a cultivator’s heart and trigger backlash from inner demons once more.

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