Volume One: The Dragon Rises from the Wilderness Chapter Twenty-Two: A Heavy Burden and a Long Road Ahead

In the days that followed, Bai Zhi was nowhere to be seen.

Each morning and afternoon, Gu Yu appeared punctually in the cliff cave, bringing dried fruits, medicinal herbs, and elixirs. He practiced swordsmanship, light movement techniques, and boxing. Yu Ye, as if knowing nothing at all, no longer imitated nor asked about the intricacies, instead sitting quietly to the side, watching.

Another dawn arrived.

Yu Ye awakened from meditation. Raising his eyes, he noticed changes in the cliff cave: the air felt fresher, the mist was moist, wild grasses at the entrance glistened with vibrant green, and the sounds of streams, waterfalls, disciples of Xuanhuang Mountain talking, and distant birds and beasts filled his ears, clear and distinct.

Looking down at himself, he felt changed as well. Though his skin had been thoroughly cleansed before, a layer of grime seeped out once again. The condition was improved compared to the previous time, yet still left him oily and filthy.

Previously, after swallowing the Jiao Pill, the force of the pill had forcibly purged impurities from his body, expelling filth as the ancient texts described—removing the dross and keeping the essence, thus forging a spirit-rooted form. He had not understood the mystery then, only feeling his senses sharpened and no longer fearing the cold, though he had already opened his spiritual gate, transformed as if reborn. Lacking knowledge of breathing techniques and cultivation methods, he let the pill's energy turn into genuine force that rushed through his meridians, unchecked, wreaking havoc on his organs, leaving his abdomen burning and his body aching, mistakenly attributing it to Jiao poison.

The phrase “reborn” carries many meanings. Here, it signifies a world-shattering transformation.

But with Jiao Shadow’s guidance, after over ten days of cultivation, the scattered genuine force gradually gathered in his dantian, the sea of qi, like countless streams converging. It flowed through the Ren and Du meridians, the eight extraordinary vessels, and the twelve principal channels, coursing through his body, ceaseless and full of vitality. Constant breathing and adjustment tempered his meridians and bones anew.

So, what is genuine force?

It is the absorption of the world’s spiritual energy for one’s own use—the source of magical power, vital energy, and life itself. All these are called genuine force.

Now, with his eyes half closed, he could see within himself. In Daoist practice, this is called spiritual consciousness introspection. Faintly like an illusion, but real. He could discern the shapes of his bones and organs, the network of meridians, with genuine force flowing like delicate streams—weak, yet unceasing. In his lower abdomen, in the sea of qi, amid a misty cloud of genuine force, a yellow, lustrous bead floated silently.

It was the Jiao Pill—the very item that had brought him calamity and a stroke of destiny. It had not dissolved, but settled in his sea of qi, becoming something miraculous. According to Jiao Shadow, her soul was sealed within the pill. She had imparted techniques and texts, then remained silent for many days.

Yu Ye relaxed his mind, stood up, removed his Daoist robe, and leapt naked into the pool.

The water was cool and invigorating.

As he scrubbed himself, he marveled at the wonders of cultivation. Perhaps after washing away the filth, his skin had become much fairer. He seemed taller, his limbs sturdy and well-proportioned. Clenching his fists, his bones crackled, as if boundless strength was ready to erupt.

Yu Ye was enjoying his refreshing moment when he suddenly sensed something, leaped out of the pool with a splash, and hastily grabbed his robe.

At that instant, the stone door banged open.

Bai Zhi stepped into the cave. Upon appearing, she was slightly startled.

Yu Ye stood in the open space, his robe and boots properly worn, wet hair dripping, and behind him, the pool was still rippling.

Bai Zhi glanced up, her expression composed. She walked gracefully to Yu Ye and said softly, “Gu Yu will be here soon; let me first check your wounds.” With that, she naturally reached out her hand.

Yu Ye did not refuse or evade, as if absent-minded, silently gazing at the approaching fingers.

Her delicate, jade-like fingers shimmered with a subtle glow. Not only that, her whole body seemed to emit a faint, ethereal radiance...

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Suddenly, Bai Zhi’s face changed, and she rebuked, “How dare you!”

At the same moment, Jiao Shadow’s voice echoed in Yu Ye’s consciousness—

“Oh my, why are you looking at her body? Quickly withdraw your spiritual sense, restrain your force…”

Yu Ye’s heart skipped; he hurriedly lowered his gaze and suppressed his energy.

Bai Zhi gripped his wrist tightly, coldly questioning, “How dare you peek at my body? When did you develop spiritual consciousness? Speak—”

He hadn’t dared to peek, but… what… spiritual consciousness?

He truly did not know he had developed spiritual consciousness, nor how to use it; Jiao Shadow hadn’t warned him, and now Bai Zhi had caught him in the act—how could he explain?

Yu Ye let his wrist be held, not daring to move, flustered, head bowed: “I’m to blame for my lack of restraint, lingering on Miss Bai’s beauty. But spiritual consciousness… what is that?”

He seemed a clumsy youth, chastised yet unaware of his mistake, his face full of innocence.

Bai Zhi was not easily convinced, still gripping his pulse gate.

Moments before, she had felt a foreign spiritual sense sweep across her body, making her instantly alert. With only two people in the cave, it was easy to guess the culprit. Yet in a flash, the unsettling sensation vanished, leaving no trace despite her thorough search.

Bai Zhi finally released his hand, though her doubts lingered.

“You were washing yourself?”

“Yes…”

“Last time I walked behind you, you were oblivious. Today, before I appeared, you were already dressed and waiting. If you lack spiritual consciousness, how could you anticipate my arrival?”

“I’d just finished washing, it was a coincidence!”

Yu Ye, suddenly accused, was flustered but soon regained composure. He looked Bai Zhi in the eye and asked, “I’ve been confined here many days. When will Miss Bai let me leave?”

“Oh?”

Bai Zhi stepped back, the chill fading from her face. She studied Yu Ye, her gaze sharp. “You’ve been here for over a month. Another month and a half—if Brother Chen Qi is still not back, I’ll petition Master to send you down the mountain. By then, I’ll tell you where Uncle Qiu has gone, so you needn’t worry.”

Yu Ye was surprised: “A month and a half…”

“Yes, at most another month and a half.”

Her expression turned grave as she looked toward the cave’s entrance, hesitated, and spoke softly: “If I’m honest, I, Bai Zhi, have not treated you poorly. Had I not intervened, you would never have left Spirit Jiao Valley alive. Had I not concealed the truth, you’d never have escaped Brother’s pursuit. Though I brought you to Xuanhuang Mountain, that too was my intention. Don’t say people are fickle—I, too, am helpless!”

Her words were part explanation, part comfort. As she finished, she turned and left quickly.

Yu Ye stood bewildered, scratching his head.

What did Bai Zhi mean by “helpless”? Did she have some hidden sorrow?

“Ay, behaving foolishly again?”

Jiao Shadow’s voice sounded in his consciousness—

“You can’t lose your wits every time you see a beauty. How could you use spiritual sense to look at her body? If I hadn’t warned you in time, you’d be in deep trouble today!”

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“I…”

Yu Ye’s face flushed red.

He knew well the mistake he’d made, and being caught so openly left him mortified.

“Hmph, let me ask you: a hunter, with no teacher or sect—how could you develop spiritual consciousness? Bai Zhi, shrewd as she is, will surely suspect the Jiao Pill in your body. Fortunately, I concealed the pill’s magical force. Otherwise, you’d never have deceived her.”

Jiao Shadow seemed genuinely angry.

Yu Ye hurriedly said, “I’ve only just awakened spiritual consciousness and don’t fully understand it—was hoping to ask…”

“You were going to ask me while naked? Shame on you! Oh, you blame me for ignoring you these days? Starting spiritual consciousness is exhausting. I use soul power to teach you Daoist arts—do I not need to rest?”

Jiao Shadow continued her reproach.

“I was careless, and made a mistake!”

Yu Ye could only admit fault, then said hopefully, “Bai Zhi didn’t pursue it, so perhaps it’s fine…”

“Tsk, tsk, you’re so foolish, it’s astonishing! If you can fool Bai Zhi, then everyone in the world is honest!”

Jiao Shadow, silent most days, now spoke with the force of a storm: “I don’t urge you to do evil, only to be prepared. Yet you’re obsessed with the scenery and beauty, self-indulgent and complacent. Let me ask—how is your Seven Slaughter Sword Qi training?”

“This… no progress yet.”

“You’ve been practicing for over half a month, and you say there’s no progress? If you can’t produce sword qi, how will you protect yourself, how will you fight for your life? Will you face their swords barehanded or with your bamboo staff?”

“The Seven Slaughter Sword Qi is too profound; as a beginner, it’s hard to grasp…”

Along with the Heavenly Gang Sutra, Yu Ye had received the sword formulas and techniques for Seven Slaughter Sword Qi. But he had been busy mastering the basics of the Heavenly Gang Sutra, leaving no time to comprehend the sword qi.

“If it weren’t profound, how could it be renowned? There are seven forms: Martyr’s Slaughter, Demon’s Slaughter, Righteous Slaughter, Benevolent Slaughter, General’s Slaughter, Devil’s Slaughter. When all six swords combine, only then is it the Heaven and Earth’s Seven Slaughter.”

Jiao Shadow explained the extraordinary nature of the sword qi, then continued: “With your cultivation, training sword qi is indeed difficult, but there’s no other way. If you wish to survive, you must fight with all you have. From today, focus on the first form of the sword formula. Heaven helps those who help themselves—let’s see how your luck fares!”

“I will give it my all, but haste makes waste…”

After repeated admonitions, Yu Ye’s confidence was shaken. Jiao Shadow, unimpressed, advised, “Adapt to urgency, change in adversity; man proposes, Heaven disposes!”

“You say I have cultivation now?”

“Yes, first stage of Qi Refinement.”

“I’m now a Qi Refinement master?”

“Sigh—”

Jiao Shadow sighed, her tone both disdainful and resigned: “You’ve barely stepped onto the threshold of Qi Refinement. The journey is long…”