Chapter 618: Organization (II)
Time slowly passed. More and more wisps of transparent, twisted black smoke rose from the woman's body, and the repulsive aura filling the hall grew increasingly intense. Soon, however, a healthy flush gradually appeared on her previously pale face. As Lin Zheyu used the golden energy to erase more and more of the yao will, her spiritual soul felt lighter and freer. It even gave rise to an indescribable sense of relief.
"I... I... I'm saved!" The sinister woman's body trembled with excitement. Had she not feared interrupting Lin Zheyu, she would already have dropped to her knees in overwhelming gratitude.
After a long while, Lin Zheyu slowly exhaled a breath of turbid air, withdrew his hand, and took a step back.
"That will do for now. You..." Lin Zheyu hesitated. Even now, he still did not know the name of this demonic cultivator from the Evilheart Sect.
"My name is Kong Yujing, Senior. You may simply call me Little Jing or Ltttle Yu," the woman replied quickly, as though she had guessed what Lin Zheyu was about to ask.
As soon as Lin Zheyu stopped, the color rapidly returned to her face. Even the aura she exuded seemed to strengthen slightly. From body to soul, from the inside out, Kong Yujing felt an unprecedented sense of ease and freedom.
"Little Jing, is it? How do you feel now?" Lin Zheyu asked softly as he released the concealment of the Heaven-Deceiving Art.
After carefully sensing the changes within herself, Kong Yujing spoke with unconcealed excitement. "Thank you for saving me, Senior. I've never felt so comfortable before. My soul feels much lighter. With so much of the foul and evil yao will in my sea of consciousness gone, the burden on me has eased tremendously. Originally, I wouldn't have lasted another two years before I had no choice but to enter seclusion behind closed doors and forcibly suppress the yao will to slow its erosion. But now... I feel I can hold on for at least another five years."
Had there not been others present, she would have knelt on the spot and pledged herself to him immediately.
The instant Lin Zheyu lifted the Heaven-Deceiving Art's concealment, Xu Chi flashed to their side. After hearing Kong Yujing's explanation, he asked excitedly, his voice filled with both astonishment and disbelief. "Fellow friend, you've succeeded?"
"Senior, if you don't believe me, you're welcome to examine me yourself," Kong Yujing said after a brief hesitation, gritting her teeth.
Now that she had confirmed Lin Zheyu truly could extend her life, Kong Yujing's greatest worry was no longer whether she could survive, but whether he would refuse to accept her even if she offered her allegiance. For that reason, she willingly opened her sea of consciousness for Xu Chi to inspect, hoping to earn Lin Zheyu's favor through her sincerity. Seeing her make such a choice, Lin Zheyu gave her a somewhat surprised glance.
After seeing the earnestness in Kong Yujing's eyes, he gave Xu Chi a slight nod. "Feel free to see for yourself, fellow friend."
"Then please forgive my intrusion," Xu Chi said with a cupped-fist salute toward Lin Zheyu. A trace of impatience gleamed in his eyes.
With Lin Zheyu standing nearby, Xu Chi naturally had no intention of doing anything improper. It had to be said that Kong Yujing's decision was exceptionally wise. She had earned Lin Zheyu's goodwill while losing nothing of real value, aside from a little personal discomfort. But what was a bit of discomfort compared to her life?
Xu Chi placed his palm against her forehead, sending his spiritual sense through her opened sea of consciousness and taking in everything within it. The longer he observed, the brighter his eyes became.
"What incredible skill! To erase the yao will while protecting the soul form from harm at the same time... such a feat is truly extraordinary!" Xu Chi exclaimed in amazement.
Through the official authorities of Great Wei, a demonic cultivator could obtain a single purification of their sea of consciousness if they were willing to pay a sufficiently high price. However, such a purification would cleanse not only the yao will fused with the soul form but also the corresponding portion of the soul itself, thereby inflicting irreversible damage.
As a result, demonic cultivators could only undergo the procedure occasionally. If they did it too many times, they would eventually purify themselves out of existence. That was precisely why Xu Chi had been searching everywhere for another solution.
"I wonder if this is sufficient to satisfy your requirements?" Lin Zheyu asked with a faint smile.
"It is worth trying," Xu Chi replied slowly, choosing his words with great care.
He withdrew his hand and pondered for a moment before continuing, "Rest assured, Fellow Xiao. As long as you're willing to make the attempt, regardless of whether it succeeds or fails, the quota for the Heavenly Derivation Sect's Formation Dao Exchange Conference will be yours."
Lin Zheyu smiled faintly and cupped his fists in thanks. "Then I shall thank you in advance."
"You're too courteous. To be honest, the reason for my trip here is my grandfather. With your abilities, even if you can't completely resolve my grandfather's condition, you should at least be able to greatly alleviate it. During an expedition into the demon realm, his soul was corrupted by the yao will. Now, the only way he can slow the erosion is by remaining in closed-door seclusion..." Xu Chi explained calmly, briefly outlining the purpose of his journey.
His grandfather was the Xu Family's only Nascent Soul realm cultivator. If his grandfather were to pass away, the Xu Family's standing would plummet overnight.
"I see. When do we set out?" Lin Zheyu asked.
He was quite curious about Nascent Soul realm cultivators. Perhaps he could use this opportunity to study one up close with the golden Heavenly Eye and see if he could uncover some of the mysteries of the Immortal Dao.
"My grandfather is still in seclusion. It will likely take several years for him to overcome this ordeal, and only then can we begin. But rest assured, Fellow Xiao. The Heavenly Derivation Sect's Formation Dao Exchange Conference is held once every fifty years, and the next one is still thirty-nine years away. There's more than enough time," Xu Chi said with a smile.
Having finally seen a glimmer of hope for his grandfather, Xu Chi could not help but smile. Although he did not truly believe Lin Zheyu could cure his grandfather's condition, there was no doubt that he could greatly slow the erosion caused by the yao will. If that bought the Xu Family enough time, they might even produce another Nascent Soul realm cultivator.
Lin Zheyu and Xu Chi exchanged contact information. Xu Chi then cautiously began discussing his own understanding and research regarding the yao will and demonic patterns with Lin Zheyu. The more they talked, the brighter his eyes became.
As expected of a demonic cultivator. His understanding of the yao is remarkably profound. He's even explored integrating demonic patterns with Immortal Dao formations! Xu Chi thought in astonishment.
The more they exchanged ideas, the more unfathomable and mysterious the demonic cultivator before him seemed. Standing quietly to the side, Wu Di and Kong Yujing listened intently to their discussion of the Dao, not daring to utter a single sound. Although the discussion only touched on the basics, the insights they gained were invaluable.
"I still have important matters to attend to, so I'll take my leave. Until we meet again, Fellow Xiao," Xu Chi said as he rose to his feet and saluted with a smile.
"Until next time." Lin Zheyu returned the salute before turning to Kong Yujing. "Little Jing, see Fellow Xu out."
"Yes, Senior," Kong Yujing replied promptly.
Only after the two had left the hall and disappeared into the distance did Lin Zheyu turn toward Wu Di, who had been standing silently to one side. At the moment, Wu Di was lost in thought, completely absorbed in the bits of Formation Dao knowledge Lin Zheyu had mentioned earlier. It was only when he sensed Xu Chi's departure that he abruptly snapped back to reality.
"How is the Xu Family's reputation?" Lin Zheyu asked calmly after taking a sip of spiritual tea.
One could never afford to let down one's guard. After all, the other party was a Nascent Soul realm cultivator. Even a dying camel was still bigger than a horse, so caution was necessary.
"The Xu Family is a prestigious family affiliated with the Hidden Moon Sect. The Hidden Moon Sect is a righteous sect whose cultivation techniques are upright and orthodox, and most of its disciples are honorable cultivators. The Xu Family also enjoys an excellent reputation throughout the cultivation world. Their name has been built over dozens of generations and won't be tarnished lightly," Wu Di replied.
"You handled this well. Do you have any requests?" Lin Zheyu asked with a satisfied nod and a faint smile.
"Please accept me, Senior. Allow me to follow you and serve at your side!" Wu Di said respectfully, a look of resolve flashing across his face as he dropped to one knee.
"You won't regret it?" Lin Zheyu asked evenly.
"I will never regret it! I, Wu Di, hereby swear upon my Dao heart before the Heavenly Dao that I am willing to follow you, serve at your side, and obey your every command. Should I ever harbor disloyal thoughts or betray you..." Without the slightest hesitation, Wu Di made his oath before the witness of the Heavenly Dao.
Such an oath was immensely binding for cultivators. Breaking it would not only sever one's path of cultivation but also invite inner demons and heavenly tribulations.
"Very well. You may rise," Lin Zheyu said calmly.
It was about time for him to establish a force of his own. With enough capable subordinates, many matters would no longer require his personal attention, saving him considerable time and effort. Wu Di rose upon hearing his words and silently took his place behind Lin Zheyu.
At that moment, Kong Yujing returned after seeing Xu Chi off. Upon entering the hall, she too dropped to one knee and said respectfully, "Please accept me as well, Senior!"
As soon as she finished speaking, a drop of blackish-red soul blood condensed between her brows. Her decisiveness surprised Wu Di, but after a moment's thought, he understood why.
Lin Zheyu took hold of Kong Yujing's soul blood as he said, "Very well. Come with me. I'll first remove the remaining yao will from your sea of consciousness, then I'll assign you a task."
Completely erasing the overwhelming amount of yao will within Kong Yujing's sea of consciousness was no simple matter. Even with Lin Zheyu's abilities and the assistance of the golden Heavenly Eye, it would take roughly a full day. For such a lengthy process, carrying it out within the Minor Heaven-Deceiving Formation was the safest option.
Having offered up her soul blood, Kong Yujing was now one of his own. Lin Zheyu decided to first help suppress the erosion of the yao will. Otherwise, if she were to suddenly die from its corruption, the subordinate he had only just recruited would be gone before she had done anything.
"Yes, Senior!" Kong Yujing answered.
As she rose to her feet, a flicker of joy flashed through her eyes, tinged with mixed emotions. That complexity quickly vanished, however, replaced by unwavering determination.