Double penetration, plunder and hypnosis Entry - Chapter 12

Chapter Twelve: Junior Sister

“Little Yuan, you must wait for me…” Gu Qinghuan’s voice dipped into a low murmur, a feverish smile glinting in her eyes. At that moment, a surge of potent spiritual energy pulsed from a distant peak. In an instant, her form vanished from the grand hall, reappearing outside the Palace Master’s Peak. Her gaze fixed on the source of the disturbance, and beneath her veil, her expression tightened with concern. “Junior Sister…” she whispered, her figure transforming into a streak of light as she sped toward the peak, her brow furrowed with unease.

Her junior sister, Yun Qinyue, had been raised alongside her in the Tianji Dao Palace, taken in as disciples by the sect’s master. Their bond was as close as siblings. Yun Qinyue’s current seclusion aimed to break through to the Nascent Soul stage—a perilous endeavour. Failure could not only stall her cultivation but also damage her foundation. Moments later, Gu Qinghuan alighted before Yun Qinyue’s secluded cave, where the protective wards trembled under the chaotic spiritual fluctuations emanating from within.

With a wave of her hand, Gu Qinghuan dispelled the wards and stepped inside. The cave was dimly lit, and Yun Qinyue sat within, her moon-white robes dishevelled, clinging to her sweat-dampened skin. Strands of inky hair stuck to her flushed cheeks, and her usually serene eyes were shut tight, her delicate brows knitted in anguish. Her jade-like skin glowed with an unnatural flush, not of health but of spiritual strain. Her small nose quivered with each ragged breath, her pink lips parting and closing rapidly. Her body trembled, her hands clutching the meditation mat beneath her, knuckles white with tension. The gentle grace that defined her was now marred by vulnerability, evoking a pang of pity.

“Junior Sister!” Gu Qinghuan hurried forward, steadying Yun Qinyue as she swayed. Yun Qinyue’s eyes fluttered open, exhaustion and defeat in their depths. “Senior Sister… I failed,” she said weakly. Gu Qinghuan’s heart clenched. She swiftly produced a healing pill from her storage ring and pressed it to Yun Qinyue’s lips. “Hush now. Stabilise your energy first.” Yun Qinyue swallowed the pill, her pallor easing slightly, though her breathing remained unsteady.

Gu Qinghuan grasped her wrist, channelling her own spiritual energy to soothe the chaotic currents within Yun Qinyue’s body. “Junior Sister, breaking through to Nascent Soul is fraught with danger. Failure is not uncommon—do not blame yourself,” she said gently. Yun Qinyue managed a bitter smile, her eyes glinting with frustration. “Senior Sister, I thought this seclusion would succeed. I was so close… but at the final moment, my heart demon struck.”

[Heart Demon (Xīnmó): A xianxia concept referring to inner psychological or emotional obstacles that disrupt cultivation, often tied to fears, desires, or unresolved conflicts, here affecting Yun Qinyue’s breakthrough.]

Gu Qinghuan shook her head, cutting off her self-reproach. “Heart demons are every cultivator’s greatest foe. This failure has taught you valuable lessons for your next attempt.” Yun Qinyue nodded, gratitude softening her expression. “Thank you, Senior Sister.” Gu Qinghuan smiled warmly, patting her hand. “No need for thanks between us. Rest now and regulate your breathing. Once you’re stable, I’ll refine more pills to aid your recovery.”

Yun Qinyue nodded, closing her eyes to focus on her breathing. Gu Qinghuan sat beside her, silently guarding her as the cave’s spiritual energy gradually steadied. Yun Qinyue’s complexion regained a touch of colour, her breathing evening out. “Senior Sister, I’m much better,” she said, opening her eyes. Gu Qinghuan’s gaze held concern. “Good. Your failure cost you some vitality, but your foundation remains intact. Rest well for now and avoid rushing back into seclusion.”

“I will, Senior Sister,” Yun Qinyue replied, her eyes warm with appreciation. Gu Qinghuan rose, smiling. “Rest here. I’ll refine those pills for you.” Yun Qinyue watched her leave, but as Gu Qinghuan’s graceful silhouette vanished, a shadow of gloom flickered in her gaze.

Returning to her alchemy chamber, Gu Qinghuan selected rare spiritual herbs and began crafting a healing pill. Her movements were deft, her spiritual energy guiding the herbs’ essence into the furnace, where they coalesced into a radiant pill, its fragrance filling the air. Satisfied, she returned to the cave. “Junior Sister, take this,” she said, handing over the translucent pill. Yun Qinyue accepted it with thanks, swallowing it. Her complexion visibly improved, her energy stabilising further.

Sitting beside her, Gu Qinghuan’s tone grew gentle but probing. “Junior Sister, you’ve never mentioned a heart demon before. What is it? Can you share it with me? Together, we can find a way to overcome it.” Yun Qinyue’s expression shifted, a flicker of hesitation in her eyes. She lowered her gaze, silent for a moment, before speaking softly. “Senior Sister… it’s difficult to explain.”

Gu Qinghuan patted her hand reassuringly. “We’ve been sisters for years. What can’t you share? A heart demon left unresolved will hinder your next attempt. If you trust me, tell me—I may be able to help.” Yun Qinyue met her concerned gaze, a pang of sorrow tightening her chest. Biting her lip, she steeled herself. “Senior Sister, my heart demon… it concerns you.”

Gu Qinghuan froze, surprise flashing in her eyes. “Me?” How could I be her heart demon?