Chapter 2
"Miss Jiang, are you comfortable staying on Lingyun Peak?" Yun Zheng asked with concern.
Jiang Liuya smiled slightly and said, "How could I not be at ease? The Tianxuan Sect is a blessed land, and the sect has a spirit-gathering array. Even the most remote corner is filled with rich spiritual energy. This Lingji Peak is a place where spiritual veins converge, but..." She hesitated.
"Just what?"
"However, as an outer disciple, I am uneasy to enjoy such a superior place for cultivation."
“You are my friend, this is where I used to live, what's wrong with you being here?”
Jiang Liuya sighed softly and said, "However, I am a Gu cultivator, practicing Gu techniques, which are vastly different from the cultivation methods of the Tianxuan Sect. The spiritual energy emanating from my body is also unique. Yesterday, I was cultivating here, and perhaps because of my cultivation method, I attracted a highly accomplished senior. That senior appeared out of nowhere on Lingji Peak. I wonder which elder he is, whose cultivation is so unfathomable." As she spoke, she observed Yun Zheng's expression.
Yun Zheng pondered for a moment and said, "You mean it appeared out of thin air? Only a Nascent Soul cultivator could understand the mysteries of space and time. Within the Tianxuan Sect, that would only be the Supreme Elder—Daojun Danxi."
"Daoist Danxi? Your sect actually has such a peerless master." Jiang Liuya feigned surprise.
Yun Zheng smiled slightly and said, "The Supreme Elder is my master's youngest junior brother. He is not old, but he advanced to the Nascent Soul Realm many years ago. In terms of seniority, I should call him Uncle-Master. However, I have only seen him a few times in the sect over the years, and I don't know much about him."
"Oh, so mysterious and unpredictable. In that case, this Dao Lord has reached the Divine Transformation Realm at such a young age. Isn't he a genius that appears only once in a thousand years?"
“I’ve heard my master say that the Supreme Elder is exceptionally talented. He not only has a single wood-type spiritual root, but he is also an innate wood spirit. He entered the Dao through alchemy and is completely absorbed in the study of alchemy, never paying attention to the affairs of the sect. However, the Supreme Elder has always cultivated only on Lingcui Peak and has not appeared for many years. Why would he suddenly come here…” Yun Zheng’s eyes showed doubt.
"By the way, you've been here for quite a while, and I haven't invited you to sit down yet."
Jiang Liuya deliberately changed the subject, inviting Yun Zheng to sit down while taking out a jar of exquisite wine.
"This is peach blossom wine that I brewed myself. I invited you here today so that we could taste it together."
After seeing Yun Zheng off, Jiang Liuya pondered to herself. A Nascent Soul cultivator who had lived in seclusion for many years, indifferent to worldly affairs and external conflicts, focused solely on cultivation. Yet yesterday, she had only made a small probe of the forbidden area, and he had already acted decisively. It seemed that this forbidden area was indeed a good place, and the power of chaos might very well be within it. And this Dao Lord must have a close connection with it.
Jiang Liuya's eyes were dark, and a faint smile appeared on her lips.
She casually picked up the remaining half-jar of peach blossom wine on the table and carried the wine to Lingcui Peak.
She obediently remained outside the barrier at the foot of the mountain. The barrier set up by a Nascent Soul cultivator was no joke.
"Senior, I am Jiang Liuya, and I have come here today to apologize." There was no response.
"Senior, this is some peach blossom wine I brewed. I hope you will accept this small gift." As she spoke, Jiang Liuya shook the half-jar of peach blossom wine in her hand.
"Daoist Master, I've heard you've been cultivating diligently here for many years. The path to immortality is long and arduous; just cultivating is so boring. Why don't I keep you company and entertain you?" This time, her voice held a hint of coquettishness.
There was still no response; Jiang Liuya's voice echoed in the empty foothills.
Then, Jiang Liuya lowered her voice and said slowly, "The Dao Lord left a wisp of divine consciousness on me yesterday, and I'm afraid he is also curious about me." She paused for a moment and continued, "Actually, there's no need to go to such trouble. I am willing to accompany the Dao Lord by his side every day and serve him. Wouldn't it be more reassuring for you to be under the Dao Lord's watchful eye?"
Although Daoist Danxi did not reply, the barrier in front of him loosened slightly.
Jiang Liuya sensed the subtle changes in the spiritual energy of the barrier and was overjoyed.
She formed a hand seal, and a soft light emanated from her fingertips, merging with the barrier.
Instantly, a crack appeared in the barrier.
Jiang Liuya flashed and appeared within the territory of Lingcui Peak.
Suddenly, the wine jar in his hand shattered, and the aroma of wine filled the air.
She didn't mind, casually wiping away the wine stains before stepping into the mountains, looking around as she went. The air was thick with the essence of wood, the vegetation lush and vibrant, and there were even many rare and exotic plants she had never seen before, filling her with envy. However, after walking for a long time, she still hadn't seen the figure of Daoist Danxi.
"Daoist Lord, where are you?"
"Come on up." A deep yet clear voice came from the mountaintop. Jiang Liuya followed the sound and finally found the owner of the voice in a cave at the top of the mountain.
Danxi Daojun stood with his hands behind his back, dressed in a green robe, exuding an aloof air, coldly watching her.
Jiang Liuya immediately praised, "Daojun's residence is indeed extraordinary. Spiritual herbs are everywhere, and spiritual plants are lush. Even the furnishings of this cave are exceptionally elegant and unique. Daojun, you are also handsome and have profound cultivation."
Daoist Danxi remained silent and ignored her.
Jiang Liuya, completely oblivious to her embarrassment, continued, "Daojun, I am new to Lingcui Peak. Do you have any rules here? Why don't you tell me about them? I will definitely abide by the rules you set and will never cause you any trouble."
As she spoke, a pure and lovely smile appeared on her face.
The person in front of her remained silent, simply looking at her coldly.
Looking at Daoist Danxi's upright face, Jiang Liuya deliberately teased, "If Daoist Lord wants me to do something else, that's not impossible..."
"You will live here from now on." Daoist Danxi's voice was calm but left no room for doubt.
"Huh? Here?" Jiang Liuya looked around and found that it was just a tea room. She was a little disgusted and seemed to have forgotten that she had just praised the unique furnishings.
"There isn't even a bed here, how can anyone live here?"
Jiang Liuya wanted to argue further, but Daoist Danxi waved his sleeve, closed the cave door without a word, and left.
"Daojun!" Jiang Liuya chased after him, trying to open the stone door.
But it was mercilessly bounced back by the stone gate.
Jiang Liuya circulated her spiritual power and discovered that a very mysterious restriction had been placed on the stone door.
With my current level of cultivation, it's really difficult for me to solve this.
Unexpectedly, I was put into solitary confinement as soon as I arrived at Lingcui Peak.
She looked around the tea room. It seemed no one had used it for a long time; the utensils were covered in a thick layer of dust. She gently blew on it, sending the dust flying, and waved it away with a hint of disdain. Then, with a single hand gesture, she cast a cleansing spell, and instantly the tea room was spotless.
Since we're already here, let's make the best of it.
Three days later, Jiang Liuya sat cross-legged, meditating and pondering to herself. She had already searched every corner of the tea room but found nothing of value. If she had to wait until the restrictions were lifted before she could leave, who knew when that would take?
Since we can't break the barrier, perhaps...
That day, Daoist Danxi was carefully tending to various immortal herbs in the spirit herb garden when suddenly a loud bang came from the tea room. He went to check and saw Jiang Liuya crawling out of the collapsed tea room, her face and body still covered in soot.
"What did you do?" Daoist Danxi demanded sternly.
"Daojun, I'm so miserable being locked up in this tea room, never seeing the light of day..." Jiang Liuya said, biting her lower lip, her voice filled with grievance. Her appearance was exceptionally beautiful, her eyes especially striking. Now, with tears welling in her eyes, she was utterly captivating. However, the Daojun opposite her possessed a steadfast Dao heart, a heart as firm as a rock, and remained unmoved.
"So you blew this place up?" Daoist Danxi asked, his face showing displeasure.
Jiang Liuya quickly said, "Daoist Lord, I have been reflecting on my mistakes day and night these past few days. I shouldn't have disturbed your cultivation. Please let me out. I promise to be quiet and won't bother you again."
"I'll live right here." She dropped her pitiful look, adopting an innocent and carefree demeanor, pointed to a large tree nearby, and said, "If I live in this tree, you can think of me as a fruit on it..."
As she spoke, she jumped up into the tree, sat on a branch, tilted her head and smiled slightly, and raised her hand to greet Daoist Danxi.
Seeing her change of expression as swift as turning the pages of a book, Daoist Danxi remained silent and turned away.
For the next few days, Jiang Liuya obediently stayed near the big tree. Sometimes she would sit cross-legged under the tree to cultivate, and sometimes she would lie on the trunk to take a nap. She never stepped out of the shade of the tree.
Of course, she wouldn't stay so docile forever.
"This Daoist is really boring. He spends all his time either refining pills or gathering herbs," Jiang Liuya thought to herself.
It's time to make a splash.
That day, while Daoist Danxi was refining pills, Jiang Liuya secretly sneaked into his spirit herb garden. She had been secretly observing the spirit herbs and immortal plants here every day with her divine sense, and she already knew them very well. She had already set her sights on a Seven Treasures Spirit Fruit plant, which bore seven crystal-clear fruits that emitted a faint glow.
Jiang Liuya was quite knowledgeable, but even so, she had only seen this kind of fruit in jade slips.
These fruits are said to be not only delicious, but also highly effective in helping Gu cultivators control their poison and reduce backlash. She had been eyeing them for days.
"Today I will take you all for myself."
Jiang Liuya happily picked all the fruit and put them into her Qiankun bag.
When Danxi Daojun discovered her, she was eating the Seven Treasures Spirit Fruit, her expression one of pure joy and enjoyment.
Upon seeing Daojun approach, she feigned innocence and said, "Daojun, this fruit is delicious. Would you like one?"
"Jiang Liuya, do you think I won't kill you?"
With a flick of his hand, Daoist Danxi easily strangled her neck with a wooden vine.
“How could I possibly fathom the Dao Lord’s thoughts…” Jiang Liuya said with difficulty, but there seemed to be a hint of provocation in her eyes: “My life and death are entirely under your control.”
Having said that, he raised his neck, closed his eyes, and adopted a submissive posture.
The vines tightened their grip, wrapping tightly around her slender neck. Jiang Liuya frowned, but gritted her teeth and remained silent.
After a long while, her body began to tremble uncontrollably, and her veins bulged out under her skin.
After a long standoff, Daoist Danxi finally withdrew his spiritual power and loosened the tightly wrapped vines.
Jiang Liuya coughed violently for a while before catching her breath.
She covered her neck with one hand and held her chest with the other, breathing slightly heavily, and said, "Thank you, Daoist Lord, for sparing my life."
Beneath her lowered eyes, she secretly scoffed, realizing that her secret still carried some weight.
Then let's keep testing each other step by step. As long as you don't kill me, we can keep playing around.
However, Daojun did not let her off easily.
The vines that had been there earlier spread out all around, forming a wooden cage that enveloped Jiang Liuya.
So he was put in solitary confinement again.
"Daojun..." Jiang Liuya called out in a long, affectionate tone.
However, Daoist Danxi did not stop.
"I told you you should have taught me the rules, otherwise I would have offended you." Jiang Liuya smiled slightly and muttered to herself.
Jiang Liuya casually probed with her spiritual power, but the wooden cage tightened more and more, revealing that it was a spirit-binding grass.
This Spirit-Binding Grass has absorbed the spiritual power of Daoist Danxi, so forcibly opening it will definitely not work.
You can only get it to obey you by taking it slowly.
Jiang Liuya possesses dual spiritual roots of water and fire, two forces that should be incompatible yet coexist peacefully within her body. Furthermore, she has reached the Nascent Soul stage of cultivation, which, aside from the Gu King's blessing, makes her no ordinary person.
Jiang Liuya slowly channeled her water elemental power, and a pure, clear water elemental power, like a gentle stream, softly enveloped the Spirit-Binding Grass. Nourished by the water elemental power, it moved slowly. The vine was covered with slender leaves, which now seemed to be dancing, stretching out lightly, clearly enjoying the comfortable nourishment from the water element.
At this moment, Jiang Liuya suddenly withdrew her spiritual power and stopped sending water essence to the Spirit Binding Grass.
Jiang Liuya raised the corners of her mouth slightly, with a sly smile, and muttered to herself, "Little guy, of course I can't let you eat your fill all at once."
The Spirit-Binding Grass trembled slightly, revealing a hint of resentment and protest. A long time passed, but the delicious water elemental energy still hadn't arrived. The leaves drooped, appearing somewhat dejected.
Jiang Liuya smiled; she wasn't in a hurry. Now that she was at Lingcui Peak, there was plenty of time.
And so, she channeled some spiritual energy into the Spirit-Binding Grass every day, but each time it would stop abruptly just when it was most benefiting from it.
That day, Jiang Liuya discovered that a flower bud had grown from the leaves on the top of her head.
She tried to flick the flower bud with her finger, but it darted away with a "whoosh".
Surprisingly, it's kind of cute.
A few days later, the flower bud opened. It gently and slowly unfurled its petals.
Jiang Liuya released her limited spiritual energy as usual. The Binding Vine had become accustomed to this rhythm, as if it possessed a spirit. Each time that familiar spiritual energy drifted over, it would actively absorb it. Its vines joyfully coiled and danced, fully absorbing the power that nourished it.
Suddenly, without warning, a domineering fire elemental energy surged into the gentle water elemental energy. The fire elemental energy, carrying a violent, all-consuming aura, collided with the water elemental energy, rapidly evaporating it into scalding steam.
Caught off guard, the Spirit-Binding Vine absorbed the scalding steam, its body hissing. Its once supple and flexible vines twisted and deformed instantly under the sudden impact. The flower buds at the top trembled, their vibrant colors turning dull and lifeless in an instant, as if groaning in pain.
Jiang Liuya slowly walked out. The wooden cage had collapsed, and the Spirit-Binding Grass had shrunk into a small ball, trembling slightly in place.
She also casually put the Spirit-Binding Grass into her Qiankun Bag. And just like that, she'd acquired another treasure.
I'm finally free again.
"Daojun, we have a long future ahead of us," Jiang Liuya thought to herself.
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