“My Body… You May Take It.”

The jade staircase was long, rising straight into the clouds.

Cao Xueyan originally thought she would grow frightened at such heights.

But after walking for a while, she found that the jade beneath her feet carried a soothing power.

It restored both stamina and spiritual energy with each step.

Unconsciously, she had already climbed several hundred zhang in height.

Her strength only grew as she ascended, as though she possessed inexhaustible endurance.

When she looked down, the palace rooftops were no longer visible—only rolling clouds remained.

Ahead of her, Qin Ximo walked slowly.
Even slower than usual.

The closer Cao Xueyan came, the more she sensed something unusual about Qin Ximo—an indescribable shift, a change that brought a faint sense of unease.

She quickened her pace to approach.

Once near, Cao Xueyan heard faint, uneven breathing.

She turned her head—and saw that the usually calm, composed Qin Ximo now had a flushed face, her breathing short, her expression strained.

Logically, even an ordinary cultivator should feel light and strong on this staircase due to the constant flow of spiritual replenishment.
But Qin Ximo was no ordinary cultivator.
She was a Golden Core of the Ninth Turn—far beyond normal endurance.

How could she possibly be exhausted merely from climbing?

There was definitely something wrong.

Suppressing her rising worry, Cao Xueyan spoke softly:

“Qin Fairy, your condition seems… not quite right?”

Qin Ximo did not wish to show weakness.

“This staircase demands effort to ascend.
Once we reach the mountain above, I will take medicine and restore myself.
There is no need to worry.”

But Cao Xueyan worried all the more.

Only now did she understand—Qin Ximo’s cultivation was being rejected by the staircase.

Likely because Qin Ximo had previously practiced techniques originating from the Hehuan Sect—triggering the mountain’s warding formations.

Ahead, the cloud sea parted slightly.
A floating landmass—an immortal mountain—stood suspended in the sky.

If one paused and listened, faint celestial music and birdsong could be heard drifting through the air.

Qin Ximo’s heart tightened.
The inheritance she sought was undoubtedly there.

If she obtained it, she could break through to Nascent Soul.
Her sect, the Qingyun Sword Sect, could regain its ancient glory.

This desire had already become her obsession.
Even though she sensed danger, she interpreted it as a trial on the path to heaven.

What Qin Ximo did not know was that behind her, Lu Qingyun could barely contain her suppressed delight.

From the very first step, they had already crossed into the domain of the celestial mountain.
The staircase did not test everyone—only those whose cultivation was incompatible with the mountain’s laws.

And Qin Ximo was the only one affected.

The summit drew near.

Qin Ximo’s legs trembled with exhaustion, yet her desire pushed her to climb faster.

Finally, she reached the final step.

The clouds opened before her.

A towering jade gate, thirty-three zhang high, stood before them.

On one pillar were written the words:

“Bihua Cave Heaven of the Overlooking Cloud Isle.”

On the other:

“Taiyi Sect – Twofold Mountain of Yin and Yang.”

Above them hung a plaque bearing two characters:

“Gui Xu.”

This was the name of the immortal mountain.

Qin Ximo stood before the gate and gazed into the empty mountain beyond—pavilions, waters, forests…

Yet no people.

The celestial music continued to echo, but no source could be seen.

The silence under the music was unsettling.

Even Qin Ximo’s centuries-honed sword heart flickered with an unease she could not explain.

“Qin Fairy, why stop now?”

Lu Qingyun’s voice came from behind.

She turned to Cao Xueyan with a faint, mocking smile.

“Go help Qin Fairy.
She looks as though she can barely stand.”

The words were laced with ridicule.

Qin Ximo’s expression hardened.

“Lu Qingyun… what have you done?”

Lu Qingyun widened her eyes in innocence.

“You misunderstand.
The immortal mountain simply does not welcome those whose cultivation does not harmonize with its laws.
That is all.”

Qin Ximo paused.

“Is there a solution?”

Lu Qingyun’s smile deepened.

“Of course.
See that temple ahead?
Within it lies the inheritance you seek.
If you practice it, the mountain will accept you.”

Qin Ximo said nothing.
She simply began walking toward the temple.

Cao Xueyan hurried to support her.

They crossed a small river and climbed halfway up a hill where a quiet temple stood.

Its plaque read:

“Guiyun Temple.”

Qin Ximo pushed open the door.
A faint fragrance drifted out.

Cao Xueyan felt clear and energized.

But Qin Ximo’s vision blurred.

Her mind clouded.

Lu Qingyun spoke:

“All of you remain here.
Do not enter without permission.”

She led Qin Ximo to the Transmission Hall.

Inside were meditation cushions and rows of shelves filled with jade scrolls.

Lu Qingyun selected several and presented them.

“This one teaches dual cultivation to attain unity of spirit.
This one refines living beings into spiritual vessels to enhance cultivation efficiency.
This one draws upon pure yin essence to align the body with the lunar star.”

Qin Ximo’s expression darkened.

“Lu Qingyun—are you mocking me?
Why are these all—”

“Exactly what you think.”
Lu Qingyun finally dropped her pretense.
“There are other inheritances.
But I want you to cultivate these.
Otherwise—how will you and I ascend to bliss together?”

Qin Ximo’s mind faltered.
Her eyes lost focus.
Her consciousness trembled.

Lu Qingyun reached toward her face—

But stopped.

Because Qin Ximo’s eyes had cleared.

A sword was already half-drawn.

Before Lu Qingyun could react—her defensive artifacts shattered one after another.

Qin Ximo lunged, driving her sword toward Lu Qingyun’s chest—

But the blade halted as if stopped by an invisible barrier.

Lu Qingyun laughed breathlessly.

“You forget where we stand.
The mountain protects me.
You cannot harm my body here.”

But her smile froze.

Because Qin Ximo had pressed talisman seals onto her.

“These seals… will not kill you,” Qin Ximo said through clenched teeth.
“But they will immobilize you.”

Her breathing grew rough.
Her body felt unbearably hot.
Her mind frayed.

She was losing herself.

Her gaze slid to Cao Xueyan.

She stumbled forward and embraced her—holding close, seeking warmth, seeking relief.

Her voice trembled.

“Yue’er… I am sorry.
I will… try to be gentle.
Will you… give your body to me?”

Cao Xueyan did not resist.
She quietly removed her outer garments, allowing physical contact only as reassurance and grounding, not for indulgence.

Her voice was soft and steady.

“Perhaps this is fate.
Do not fear me, Qin Fairy.
If it eases your suffering—my body is yours to use.”

Lu Qingyun stood frozen, disbelief overtaking her expression.

“Yue’er… what did you just say?”