The Stick of Contention

Gradually, some vague scenes emerged in Lin Mo’s mind. It was a dead ice field. A cold moon hung in the dark sky. There was no life around, only endless cold and loneliness.

His body couldn’t help but tremble slightly, not because of fear, but because the power of Profound Yin began to flow in his body.

That power seemed to course through his veins—no, perhaps it was his meridians?

It felt like an icy stream weaving through his body.

With each meridian it traversed, that pathway seemed to freeze, a sensation of numbness and sharp pain intertwining to furrow his brow.

Simultaneously, his consciousness seemed to fall under the sway of this Profound Yin energy.

His emotions gradually plummeted, and an inexplicable melancholy and oppressive weight settled over his heart, as if all joy had departed the world, leaving behind only this cold darkness.

As the Profound Yin energy steadily converged in his Dantian (TL Note: The energy center located in the lower abdomen, often translated as ‘elixir field’), Lin Mo felt as though a thousand-year-old piece of Profound Ice had been thrust into it, its frigid aura radiating outwards.

His breathing quickened, each exhalation carrying wisps of chill, and the surrounding air seemed to condense into tiny ice crystals with every breath he took.

Though his eyes were closed, he sensed something awakening within the darkness, like a faint candlelight flickering in his mind.

Slowly, within that gloom, the rough outlines of objects began to emerge.

Yet, only the immediate surroundings, merely a few steps away, revealed objects as vague silhouettes.

Nearby, fragments of something shattered and flew.

‘This… this is… the divine sense cultivators always speak of?’

Curiously, within this divine sense, there was no trace of Mu Qingli; it was as if she didn’t exist at all.

Had his hand not still been held by her, he would have almost believed Mu Qingli had vanished.

As the transmission of power deepened, the Profound Yin energy steadily gathered within his Dantian.

This process was akin to constructing an ice cellar within his body, the Profound Yin energy continuously compressing and refining itself.

A powerful bloating pain emanated from his abdomen, as though a constantly expanding ice sphere was pressing against his internal organs within his Dantian.

With even more Profound Yin energy surging into his body, Lin Mo felt as if he were frozen solid within a block of ice, utterly unable to move.

Yet, he could distinctly feel something dripping within his Dantian, each drop accompanied by a tremor deep within his soul—a dual sensation of profound coldness and the burgeoning of immense power.

“It is done.

You have entered the Qi Condensation stage and now possess your own Spirit Sea.

You have also officially become my personal disciple, Mu Qingli’s disciple…”

Even as she spoke, Mu Qingli still felt a wave of nausea and annoyance, yet there was no alternative; she had no choice left.

Having already taken him, if Lin Mo’s true gender were discovered, or if he were to die, it would only fuel gossip and condemnation.

Her authority within the Xuan Nv Sect would be further disgraced.

Ultimately, she would be impeached, and the Xuan Nv Sect, which her master had painstakingly protected, would fall entirely into the hands of that old hag, Immortal Qing You.

Immortal Qing You would then plunge it into chaos!

Just as these thoughts crossed her mind, the palace doors were violently smashed open, and a powerful force instantly spread throughout.

The old hag had come to snatch him away.

With the backlash from her Profound Yin Body now gone, what did she have to fear?

Moreover, Lin Mo had already begun cultivating the “Bright Jade Profound Yin” technique; what more could she possibly worry about?

He was already in her grasp!

As long as she could conceal his identity until she had fully perfected this cultivation method and resolved the backlash issue, that old hag Immortal Qing You would eventually be no match for her!

However, the most pressing issue now was to ensure no one discovered Lin Mo’s true gender!

Ignoring the internal delay, she swept Lin Mo into her arms and together they soared into the grand pool at the center of the palace.

Then, she tossed a white robe over Lin Mo’s head before emerging from the water to confront Immortal Qing You, who was already flying towards her.

Amidst billowing smoke, Immortal Qing You’s furious roar instantly pierced the air: “Are you insane!”

As the words hung in the air, Mu Qingli lightly tapped her finger, and a slender beam of light shot forth from its tip.

Though incredibly delicate, the burst of power it unleashed instantly swept away all the swirling smoke, clearly revealing Immortal Qing You’s astonished face.

Immortal Qing You was too slow to dodge.

Fortunately, Mu Qingli had no intention of taking her life; however, the beam of light pierced directly through the barrier Immortal Qing You had erected, puncturing her shoulder.

Blood flowed profusely.

Immortal Qing You, who had stumbled awkwardly to the ground, slowly rose, her eyes narrowed as she asked, “You… your Profound Yin Body… is it cured?”

“Hmph, I resolved the Profound Yin Body long ago.

I merely indulged you, considering your hard work as the Grand Elder.

But I never expected you to push your luck so far, now brazenly attempting to snatch away even my disciple?

Do you truly believe I wouldn’t dare kill you!?”

Mu Qingli’s aura was overwhelming at this moment, and her formidable spiritual energy imbued her words with even greater deterrence and oppression—that is, if she had been wearing clothes.

Immortal Qing You gritted her teeth, glancing past Mu Qingli to Lin Mo, who was still in the pool, and her eyes instantly flickered.

The aura emanating from Lin Mo… was indeed Profound Yin energy.

“You, you actually passed that cultivation method on to her?!”

“Heh, Wan’er is exceptionally gifted.

What’s wrong with teaching it to her?

Besides, I’ve already resolved the Profound Yin Body’s backlash.

If I don’t pass this cultivation method to my disciple, should I pass it to yours?”

Immortal Qing You gnashed her teeth, her expression shifting unpredictably, and a persistent twitch played at the corner of her lips.

“Good, good, good!”

She repeated “good” three times, yet her face was contorted into a terrifying snarl.

“Sect Master is truly magnanimous; not only are you rushing to your own death, but you’re also dragging your new disciple along.

You’ve even chosen your disciple’s burial offerings, though isn’t a single ‘stick’ a bit too shabby as a gift?” Immortal Qing You sneered, shifting her gaze from Lin Mo in the pool to Mu Qingli’s face.

‘A stick?

When did I ever give a stick as a gift?’

Mu Qingli felt a pang of confusion, but she allowed none of it to show on her face.

“Isn’t seeking death precisely what you’re doing right now, Grand Elder?”

“Good, very good, Mu Qingli.

Very good indeed!” Immortal Qing You sneered, now forced to suppress her frustration and retreat.

She couldn’t snatch him away, and she was injured to boot; this was a monumental disgrace.

Yet, she refused to believe the Profound Yin Body had been resolved.

‘If the Profound Yin Body were so easily resolved… would that person still have died?’

The answer would have to wait for another day; today, she had truly fallen.

Watching Immortal Qing You slink away, Mu Qingli couldn’t help but reveal a triumphant smile.

Her mood was utterly buoyant.

Hands on her hips, she proudly reveled in her victory.

Years of pent-up frustration were finally released today!

Still, the “stick” Immortal Qing You had mentioned piqued her curiosity.

As she turned around, she suddenly understood what the “stick” was.

A flush of crimson and shame instantly bloomed across the beauty’s delicate face.

After all… she was quite exposed…

“You… you detestable worm! Who permitted you to open your eyes?! That unsightly ‘stick’ of yours, I’ll pluck it right off you this instant!”