Turns Out I'm the Real Monster?!

"You bastard!"

With a tremendous SPLASH—

The water in the Cold Pool shot into the air like a silver dragon, exploding into countless droplets.

"What is he doing?!"

Shangguan Luoxue shot up from the Cold Jade Platform. Her graceful body trembled violently with shock and fury, a rare loss of her usual cold composure.

The reason she had lost her composure was—

’I can’t control my own Grotto Heaven Dao Mansion anymore!?’

A moment ago, she had sensed Jiang Mu successfully activating the "Waters of the Gorge." Though surprised by his speed, she had merely thought his comprehension was decent and that this was as far as he could go.

So, she hadn’t paid it much mind, cutting off her connection to continue her own cultivation.

But who could have guessed that the moment Jiang Mu broke through the true screen of the Great Dao’s Barrier, she would realize something was wrong.

She had hastily tried to stop him, only to discover with horror—

’I don’t have permission anymore!?’

It was like being locked out of her own house, forced to watch through the window as the "burglar" inside ran amok.

That guy had actually used brute force to break through the Barrier’s true screen.

Not only had he obtained the Divine Abilities of her nurtured Grand Primeval Heavenly Dipper Blood River True Qi, he had even charged straight in and begun remodeling her renowned Dao Foundation artifact, the Thirty-Three Celestial Palaces!

’How on earth did this guy manage that?’

’Am I dreaming!?’

Shangguan Luoxue’s mind went blank. She had never expected such a ridiculous, such an absurd outcome.

According to her original plan,

After her discourse on the Dao with Jiang Mu, she would successfully repair her Dao Foundation and recover her peak Cultivation Level.

Then, she would be able to pursue a higher Star Position once more.

At that point, Jiang Mu would have been nothing more than a passing traveler in her life, a brief intersection before they went their separate ways on the Great Dao, never to interact again.

But now...

’My Dao Foundation is gone?’

’No, that’s not right. It’s not gone.’

’After all, the Grotto Heaven Dao Mansion is connected to my very essence. I can still feel the connection deep in my soul, and the Great Dao’s true rhythm is still nourishing me endlessly.’

’But... my ownership of it is gone.’

In other words, from this day forward, her Grotto Heaven Dao Mansion had become Jiang Mu’s exclusive territory, a place he could enter and exit at will.

Her Great Dao had been molded into his shape.

To put it more bluntly:

She had gone from being the landlord to a tenant living under someone else’s roof.

And that scoundrel, Jiang Mu, had instantly transformed into the new landlord, holding the deed to the property.

The cuckoo had stolen the magpie’s nest!

’And he didn’t even spend a single coin!’

Shangguan Luoxue had a total meltdown; her defenses were completely breached.

What made her break down even more was that her Dao Foundation’s artifact was, to some extent, bound to her physical body.

Jiang Mu remodeling the Dao Mansion was the equivalent of remodeling her...

In any case, he had to be stopped!

"Stop!"

"I said stop!"

Shangguan Luoxue frantically formed Dharma Seals with her hands, trying to seize back control.

But there was no response.

She couldn’t even forcibly drag Jiang Mu into her Purple Mansion Divine Realm to berate him face-to-face.

The woman could only watch helplessly as that bastard immersed himself in the joy of remodeling her Dao Mansion.

Doing as he pleased!

...

「Inside the Dao Mansion.」

Jiang Mu’s remodeling was going smoothly and successfully.

It was as if it was always meant to be this way.

Guided by the Cold Moon Ice Heart Skill, he quickly remodeled the Dao Foundation artifact known as the Thirty-Three Celestial Palaces to fit him perfectly, without a single trace of disharmony.

It was as if it had been tailor-made for him.

During the process, perhaps due to the immense mental toll, Heart Demons would occasionally arise, causing bizarre hallucinations.

In a daze, he even saw Ling Ye appear out of nowhere.

She was holding a large watermelon, offering to quench his thirst.

His mouth was dry, so Jiang Mu didn’t hold back, opening his mouth and taking two big bites.

But strangely, no watermelon juice came out. Instead, there was just a very odd sensation.

Fortunately, he had the Cold Moon Ice Heart Skill.

The Ice Heart Skill suppressed his thoughts, and the nascent Heart Demons and hallucinations quickly dissipated.

"That Lady Peach Blossom won’t be angry, will she?"

Jiang Mu muttered to himself as he worked hard "renovating" his new house.

’I couldn’t help it. This was the only brute-force method I had to comprehend the Great Dao. I’m sure someone as generous as her will understand.’

After a long time, the remodeling was finally complete.

The Dao Rhyme in the surroundings, which had once been so hostile to him, now snuggled up to him intimately, pulsing joyfully as if greeting a long-lost relative.

Jiang Mu could also clearly perceive the true meaning of the Great Dao hidden here.

"Cultivate the spirit-terrace to be like freshly fallen snow; see that the shadows of mountains and rivers are but emptiness."

"Without coming or going, there is true serenity. Without increase or decrease, there is the Great Dao’s embrace."

These few short lines of truth encapsulated the supreme Daoist state of clarity, transcendence, and serene inaction.

It was a testament to the purity and loftiness of its owner’s Dao heart.

"Not bad. I finally succeeded."

Jiang Mu was quite satisfied. ’Next, I just have to wait for Lady Peach Blossom to fulfill her promise and grant me an orthodox Star Position.’

He lingered no longer and left the territory that now belonged to him.

...

「A room at the post-house.」

Jiang Mu slowly opened his eyes, his consciousness returning.

He found himself lying in bed, covered by a thin blanket.

Ling Ye was sitting on a chair beside the bed, her chin propped in her hands, her cool eyes staring at him intently without blinking.

Seeing Jiang Mu wake up, a delighted light sparked in Ling Ye’s eyes. She quickly leaned over and asked with concern:

"Xiaojiang, you’re awake? How do you feel? Are you uncomfortable anywhere?"

Jiang Mu blinked, adjusting to the light, and pushed himself into a sitting position.

He felt physically weak, having consumed a huge amount of Star Power.

But his mind was exceptionally clear.

His sea of consciousness, in particular, felt cool and serene.

"I’m fine, Sister Ling."

Jiang Mu shook his head and looked at Ling Ye, an apologetic and awkward expression on his face.