Double penetration, plunder and hypnosis Entry - Chapter 31

Chapter Thirty-One: Dual Cultivation Detoxification

In the cultivation realm, amidst towering mountains, a radiant streak sliced through the sky, leaving a shimmering trail. It was a figure cloaked in light, speeding with the ferocity of lightning. The figure resolved into a captivating woman, her movements exuding grace and allure. Her enchanting features, usually bewitching, were shadowed by profound sorrow. Her almond eyes brimmed with grief, her furrowed brow betraying a heart heavy with worry. Strands of dishevelled black hair clung to her pale cheeks.

Beside her, a female cultivator in tattered, blood-stained white robes teetered on the brink of collapse, sustained only by the woman’s spiritual energy. Her face was ashen, lips colourless and trembling, each breath a laboured gasp, her life’s flame flickering. The woman, her voice soft yet urgent, comforted her. “Nianyao, hold on. We’re almost at Tianji Dao Palace. Your martial uncle will save you.” The female cultivator, Su Nianyao, cracked her eyes open, lips twitching as if to speak, but only a faint sigh escaped. The woman, pained, clasped her hand. “Save your strength. I’ve got you.”

Moments later, their radiant arc descended into the main hall of the Palace’s primary peak. As the light faded, the woman landed, stumbling slightly in her haste. Before she could speak, Gu Qinghuan materialised within the hall. Her face paled at the sight of Su Nianyao’s frail form. “Nianyao!” she cried, rushing forward. Turning to the woman, she demanded, “Aunt Mei, what happened?”

The woman, Liu Mei, known as Aunt Mei, was Gu Qinghuan’s elder. Su Nianyao, her disciple and Gu Qinghuan’s martial niece, lay dying. Tears welled in Liu Mei’s eyes, her voice quaking with grief. “Qinghuan, we were exploring an ancient ruin when our plans leaked. The Bloodfiend Demon Sect ambushed us. They’d schemed with insiders, striking as we reached the ruin’s depths.” Her hands shook, her words spilling faster. “Those fiends were ruthless, wielding vile sorcery. Nianyao shielded me, taking a blow from the Bloodfiend Elder’s demonic art. She spat blood, barely clinging to life. We fought our way out, racing here, hoping you could save her.” Tears streamed down her face.

Gu Qinghuan’s expression hardened, her fists clenched until her knuckles whitened, fury blazing in her eyes. “The Bloodfiend Demon Sect dares such audacity! They’ll pay for this!” Taking a deep breath, she quelled her rage and turned to Su Nianyao. “Aunt Mei, don’t despair. I’ll do everything to save her.” Swiftly, she channelled spiritual energy, erecting a barrier around the hall. Her fingers wove intricate seals, runes flowing into the barrier, isolating Su Nianyao from external interference.

Seating herself beside Su Nianyao, Gu Qinghuan placed her hands on the girl’s back, gently infusing spiritual energy to stabilise her chaotic meridians and mend her damaged spiritual sea. Sweat beaded on her forehead, her brow knitted in concentration. Outside the barrier, Liu Mei paced anxiously, her eyes fixed on the pair, murmuring prayers. “Nianyao, you must endure. You can’t leave us…”

Gradually, a hint of colour returned to Su Nianyao’s face, her breathing steadying. Liu Mei’s tension eased slightly, though her vigilance remained. After an indeterminate time, Gu Qinghuan opened her eyes, her expression still fraught. “I’ve stabilised her for now, but the demonic poison has fused with her eight extraordinary meridians. I can’t purge it. She has, at most, a quarter-hour before her life fades.”

Liu Mei’s heart clenched, her voice breaking. “Qinghuan, what can we do? Is there no other way?” Gu Qinghuan hesitated, shame flickering in her eyes. “There is… but…” Liu Mei cut in, desperate. “But what? Speak!” Gritting her teeth, Gu Qinghuan averted her gaze, her voice strained. “Aunt Mei, the only way… is dual cultivation.”

Liu Mei froze, her face shifting, a mix of shock and complexity in her eyes. “Dual cultivation?” She stared, her voice trembling. “With whom?” Gu Qinghuan’s resolve hardened. “It’s a long story, but I swear it will save Nianyao.” Liu Mei’s expression wavered—shock, doubt, but above all, fear for her disciple. Before she could respond, Gu Qinghuan pressed, “Time is short. This is Nianyao’s only chance. Her fiery spirit would never consent to this with a stranger if awake, so we must conceal it for now.”

Liu Mei’s brow furrowed, torn by urgency and ethics, but Su Nianyao’s peril overwhelmed her. “Life comes first,” she declared, resolute. “Save Nianyao. We’ll explain later. If needed, the man can marry her. Whatever it takes, save her.”