Chapter 920: Initial Schemes Upon Entering the Sect
Chapter 920: Initial Schemes Upon Entering the Sect
Li Qing's breakthrough to the Golden Core stage went remarkably smoothly.
Without a hint of the perils described in various cultivation scriptures, it was a completely natural progression.
In less than half a day, he had successfully entered the Golden Core stage.
"A body of pure Yin..."
Li Qing drew a deep breath, taking in the tremendous, world-altering changes occurring within his body.
With all his Yang energy transformed and the final barrier gone, Li Qing felt his new body had achieved a state of perfect, harmonious balance.
The speed at which his spiritual energy circulated had nearly doubled, and his grasp of techniques and divine abilities felt a whole tier stronger than before.
A true metamorphosis!
It resembled the moon at its zenith, emitting a cool, white glow. Its surface was covered in mysterious Dao patterns, a testament to its exceptional quality.
All these transformations filled Li Qing with immense joy.
"When it comes to cultivation talent, not even Zhao Ruoxi can compare to me now."
"And the quality of this Golden Core of mine is superb."
"Unfortunately, all of this has to stay secret for now. I can't let anyone find out."
Li Qing knew full well that if the changes to his body were discovered and the true, miraculous effects of the [Scripture of Reversing Order] were revealed, it would unleash an unimaginable frenzy.
Even the Soul Transformation and Dao Integration masters of the inner sect would likely come to seize it from him!
Compared to the prospect of attaining the Great Dao, a trivial matter like changing one's gender was nothing at all.
"Until I have the strength to protect myself, I must remain hidden."
He took out his clothes and dressed again, the aura of a Golden Core expert gradually fading from his presence.
No one could have guessed that this outer sect disciple, who just one year ago was merely at the Qi Refining stage and had suffered devastating physical and emotional trauma, had now ascended to a higher level, truly stepping onto the grand path of cultivation.
Having returned to the outer sect to lay low, Li Qing soon ran into an unexpected problem.
He found it increasingly difficult to draw Yin energy from the female outer sect disciples to fuel his cultivation.
After careful deliberation, Li Qing decided to reveal a portion of his cultivation and enter the inner sect of the Great Dao Sect.
After some careful consideration, he also selected his target for a master.
Soul Transformation Immortal Lord Huo Jingtong, of the same Moonlight Lineage as Senior Sister Zhao!
In truth, with the level of talent Li Qing currently displayed, he would not normally have caught Huo Jingtong's eye.
But Li Qing had already learned that Huo Jingtong was incredibly particular about appearances.
Li Qing was confident that with his increasingly delicate and beautiful features, coupled with the potent allure he naturally exuded with every subtle movement, becoming her disciple would be no difficult task.
The most critical reason for targeting Huo Jingtong was her exceptional talent; she had reached the Soul Transformation stage in just over a century of cultivation.
Furthermore, she was wholly devoted to the Dao, had seldom associated with male cultivators since beginning her practice, and remained a virgin.
All her disciples were young female cultivators as well.
It was the perfect environment for Li Qing to develop his powers in secret.
A dangerous glint flashed in Li Qing's eyes as he began to set his clandestine plan in motion.
An outer sect disciple couldn't simply become the student of an inner sect Soul Transformation Immortal Lord; it required some careful maneuvering.
Like a patient hunter, Li Qing waited for the perfect opportunity for more than three months.
One day, Huo Jingtong's youngest disciple, Sima Jing, accepted a sect trial mission: to travel thousands of miles to the Yin Wind Valley and gather Soul Yin Pearls.
Just before Sima Jing's departure, Li Qing used his connection with a close female friend in the outer sect to get an introduction.
Looking utterly pitiful, he recounted his tragic story and begged Sima Jing to take him with her.
"The Yin Wind Valley is a place of extreme Yin," he explained. "Perhaps there, I can absorb enough Yin energy to finally shed the last traces of my male form."
Sima Jing was hesitant at first, but looking at Li Qing's face, brimming with unshed tears, her heart softened and she agreed.
Though only in her twenties, Sima Jing had already reached the late stage of Foundation Establishment.
Her worldly experience, however, was sorely lacking. On the road to the Yin Wind Valley, she was quickly charmed by Li Qing's clever words and silver tongue.
Their bond deepened rapidly, and Sima Jing began to see Li Qing as a close confidante, frequently lamenting the terrible misfortune that had befallen him.
"Don't you worry, Qingqing," Sima Jing promised, patting her chest reassuringly. "Once we're in the Yin Wind Valley, I'll find some extra Soul Yin Pearls just for you."
Li Qing gratefully clasped Sima Jing's soft hands, refusing to let go.
A faint blush colored Sima Jing's cheeks, but she didn't pull her hands away.
But the naive young woman had no idea that the details of her trip to the Yin Wind Valley had already been leaked by Li Qing to Wei Lu, a male cultivator from another lineage of the Great Dao Sect who had long coveted her.
This Wei Lu, much like Qin Shou, was a lecherous sort. He had pursued Sima Jing relentlessly, only to be rejected each time, and his infatuation had curdled into resentment.
Now, hearing that Sima Jing was traveling alone, his wicked thoughts began to stir. Egged on by his companions, he finally made a decision.
He would stage a classic "hero saving the damsel" scenario. He'd send a group of men to pose as bandits, feigning robbery and assault. Then, at the critical moment, he would swoop in, defeat the villains, and win the fair lady's heart.
As Wei Lu schemed in the shadows, he had no idea that he himself was just another pawn in Li Qing's far more intricate plot.
Just as Li Qing had planned, at the crucial moment while they were gathering Soul Yin Pearls in the valley, a group of unwelcome intruders suddenly appeared.
Although Sima Jing was quite powerful and had numerous magical artifacts for protection, she was heavily outnumbered. Worse, she had to protect the far weaker Li Qing, and she soon began to tire and lose ground.
Just as her defeat seemed certain, Li Qing suddenly cried out with grim determination, "Jing'er, don't worry about me! Get out of here!"
Then, so as not to be a burden, Li Qing did the unthinkable—he began to taunt the attackers, drawing their attention with his words in a suicidal gambit.
He hurled insults and provocations, pulling their assault away from her and onto himself.
The pressure on Sima Jing eased, but the power gap between Li Qing and the bandits was immense. Within moments, he was gravely wounded.
This was only because the attackers were following Wei Lu's orders not to land a fatal blow.
Seeing Li Qing on the brink of death, Sima Jing was frantic, tears welling in her eyes.
Before Wei Lu could even make his grand entrance, Sima Jing activated a desperate, self-destructive technique, briefly unleashing the power of the Golden Core stage. She managed to momentarily push the attackers back before grabbing Li Qing and fleeing deeper into the Yin Wind Valley.
Wei Lu's expression soured, and he ordered his men to give chase at once.
As he lay dying in Sima Jing's arms, Li Qing looked up at her tear-streaked face and told her he knew of a secret art. If performed, it could not only heal his wounds but might even allow him to reach a new level of power.
The only catch, he whispered, was that the art was... unique. It required her cooperation.
If she was unwilling, he wouldn't force her.
How could the utterly naive Sima Jing, her judgment clouded by affection, possibly stand by and watch him die? She agreed without a moment's hesitation.
After a session of the secret art—an intense and deeply intimate affair not meant for outsiders' ears...
Sima Jing looked somewhat exhausted, but as she gazed upon Li Qing—not only fully recovered but now having broken through to the Foundation Establishment stage—a blissful smile spread across her face.
(End of Chapter)
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