Chapter Twelve: The Art of Qimen Dunjia

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Originally intending to extort a bride price, Lin Feng Chu unexpectedly captured the Tang family’s old stronghold, while elsewhere, Xiao Xue Li found herself in grave danger...

“Heh heh heh! Little beauty, you’re awake!” Xiao Xue Li just barely opened her eyes in a daze on the bed, only to be nearly frightened into unconsciousness by a bald, sharp-mouthed creature.

“Who are you? Where is this?” Xiao Xue Li exclaimed in shock, instinctively checking her body—fortunately, her clothes were intact.

“Me? Heh heh heh! Forgotten who I am so quickly? No, no, no, let me show you!” Saying this, he lifted the hood on his robe and put it on his head—it was none other than the man in black. Then he grinned and said, “A warm welcome to the fairy staying at my sect’s mansion! Heh heh heh!”

“You! Let me go! Or I’ll make sure you die without a grave!” Xiao Xue Li gritted her teeth and shouted angrily.

“Tsk tsk tsk, I just like your rebellious spirit. The other girls who begged for mercy before were amusing, but no matter, from now on, I’ll favor only you. Heh heh heh!” The man in black chuckled lecherously.

At that moment, Xiao Xue Li felt a deep sense of foreboding. Desperate, she tried to escape but could not summon her inner energy; she had no strength.

“Little beauty, don’t struggle! Those eight dragons just now—you summoned them, right? Ah, they felt more real than the real thing, tickling me so delightfully! Do you want to summon them again? Fine! I’ll wait for you to summon them so I can enjoy it again. Heh heh heh!” The man in black said, actually standing there, waiting for Xiao Xue Li to summon.

Biting her red lips, Xiao Xue Li thought: “He can’t even count properly. Any clear-eyed person can see my true energy is completely exhausted. Only beasts don’t have an energy sea and rely on brute force. Could this man really be a monster in disguise? Even if he’s a beast, he shouldn’t be able to resist spiritual attacks. But he resisted the frost dragons formed from my true energy... and even managed to lure them away! What kind of monster is this?”

“Heh heh heh, little beauty, why not summon again? Oh, I see—you want to personally tickle me. That suits me just fine. Come on then!” The man in black clumsily began unfastening his robe, mumbling as he did so, “These buttons are so troublesome; please be patient, beauty!”

Lying on the bed, Xiao Xue Li was utterly despondent. Not only was her true energy depleted, but she was also too weak to even turn over or raise her hand. Tears welled up in her eyes, full of regret and self-mockery:

“This is karma. Because my father wouldn’t let me lose my honor, it ruined Lin Feng Chu. Now, I’m about to be defiled by a beast. If only I had given myself to Lin Feng Chu back then...” Tears streamed down her face as an image appeared before her eyes—a youthful, handsome boy in white, sword in hand, moving gracefully amid a shower of peach blossoms.

“Ah! This button behind the shoulder is so annoying! I just can’t reach it.” The man in black’s hands were shorter than normal, and despite placing both hands on the last button on his back, he could not undo it.

“Heh heh heh, why not let the beauty help me undo it?” Seeing Xiao Xue Li only weeping and ignoring him, he said, “I understand, the beauty is composing herself. Got it, got it, I’ll figure it out myself. Heh heh heh!” Then he began rummaging through drawers for tools.

“Lin Feng Chu, where are you? Come back! Don’t you want revenge? Come and see how I’m being punished!” Xiao Xue Li’s heart ached more and more, and she couldn’t help but shout, “Lin Feng Chu!”

The moment she uttered those three words, the man in black was startled. He had just picked up a serrated key he thought would be perfect for unfastening the buttons and was about to use it when her shout made him drop it on the floor with a clatter.

Xiao Xue Li’s attention was caught by the clear, pleasant sound of her own voice and she glanced at the key lying on the ground. The man in black, who had just retrieved the key, noticed this and suddenly became interested.

“Heh heh heh! The beauty is interested in this. Oh, I remember now! I promised to show the fairy a treasure. Sorry for forgetting—it’s all because I was too excited to see a fairy! Don’t be anxious, I’m a little interested too. Let’s open it together and take a look!” The man in black scratched his head, wondering where to put the box.

“Oh, right here, next to the fairy’s ear. Heh heh heh!” He had tried to open it before without success but thought it was valuable, so he hid it under the pillow. Then he brushed aside Xiao Xue Li’s black hair and took out the box.

Looking at the box inscribed with “Mystery Box,” he rubbed his hands together and inserted the key, turning it. A wisp of spiritual energy dissipated and the box opened. Inside was only a piece of paper, no other contents. Without much thought, he opened the note, which was covered with tiny characters.

At this moment, he scratched his head.

The sect master doesn’t even know how to read!

“Heh heh heh! Fairy, my eyesight isn’t so good lately; these characters are tiny, I can’t see them clearly. Heh heh heh, why don’t you read it to me?” Embarrassed, he handed the note to Xiao Xue Li.

Xiao Xue Li had no mood to read it. She had already silently bid farewell to her father, all relatives both near and far, and clenched her teeth, ready to bite down hard.

Just as she was about to exert force, the note was right in front of her eyes.

[Not demon, not beast, not roc]

[Playing in the mortal realm, waiting for its master]

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[To achieve rebirth and ascend as immortals]

[Nine Heavens’ Snow Descends on the Underworld Sect]

“Where did this come from?” Xiao Xue Li glanced quickly and gasped.

“Oh? The fairy is interested? Heh heh heh! Tell me what it says!” The man in black asked with surprise.

“You tell me where this came from first, then I’ll tell you!” she demanded urgently.

“I told you before, but you insisted on leaving and didn’t listen. Heh heh heh, this is a treasure left by an immortal twelve years ago!” The man in black laughed.

“Are you sure it’s from twelve years ago?” Xiao Xue Li suspected he was lying.

“Heh heh heh! At first, I didn’t believe it either. Three years ago…” Suddenly realizing he’d spoken too much, he hastily corrected himself, “The immortal said it could only be opened twelve years later. I couldn’t resist three years ago and tried but failed. Now that I have the key, the fairy is lucky to enjoy it with me!”

Xiao Xue Li seemed to understand something and then asked, “You can’t read?”

“Uh—how could that be! It’s just that the characters are too small for me to see clearly.” The man in black stammered.

“This person’s cultivation should be no less than Sky Realm. Even a blind person at that level could sense tiny characters with true energy. There must be something fishy!” Xiao Xue Li thought, then made a large slash in the air and asked, “What character is this?”

“Uh, let me see…” The man in black was at a loss for words.

“That’s the character for ‘beast’!” Xiao Xue Li rolled her eyes.

“Yes, yes! I just didn’t get it before—it’s the character for ‘beast’!” The man in black scratched his head.

“Hahaha,” Xiao Xue Li smiled, “I often heard my father talk about the great sects of China. The Underworld Sect is a scholarly family. The first sect master, Dr. Wen Yu Lu, was a top graduate of Beiqing Academy, who founded the sect through the literary sage’s path. Only three generations have passed, and yet, in your generation, Lu Yufei, you don’t even know how to write your own name?”

Hearing this, the man in black realized he had been tricked. Furious and embarrassed, he growled, “You sharp-tongued little girl! How dare you mock me? I underestimated you!”

“So, you’re not Lu Yufei! Want to know what the note says? Then I’ll read it to you!” Xiao Xue Li said, reading it aloud.

After hearing it, the man in black felt a splitting headache, grimacing in pain.

“Damn! I’ve held back for three years, but now…” He didn't know what to call himself—sect master was wrong, and he knew he was neither demon nor beast. He was some kind of bird species, but calling himself "sect bird" was ridiculous. Unable to choose a proper title, his rage boiled over.

“Since you are so clever, chirp chirp chirp! I won’t pretend anymore. That immortal’s ‘Nine Heavens’ Snow Descends on the Underworld Sect’ prophecy—it’s about you, chirp chirp chirp. Today, I’ll finish you off, kill that immortal’s pride, and show who’s master and who’s servant!” With that, he stopped unfastening his buttons and tore his robe to shreds.

“Master! Someone outside requests an audience!” a voice suddenly called from outside the door.

“Impertinent! Didn’t I say no one is to disturb us today? Throw him off the mountain! Get lost!” The man in black shouted furiously.

“Master, we told you, but the man says he has a treasure—your personal treasure that can help you become immortal!”

“Hm? A treasure to ascend? Let him wait, I’m coming now!” The man in black hurriedly picked up his torn robe to measure himself, then tossed it aside and grabbed another robe from the cabinet. Casting a glance at Xiao Xue Li on the bed, he sneered, “Chirp chirp chirp! Wait for me, you’ll be begging for mercy when I return!” Then he slammed the door and left.

Left alone, Xiao Xue Li pondered over the note: “Playing in the mortal world, waiting for its master? Such a disgusting beast—I don’t want any part of it!”

Outside the Underworld Sect hall, a man stood with hands behind his back, holding a red cord adorned with golden beads. This was none other than Zi Sheng Wu.

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The man in black hurriedly approached, eyeing Zi Sheng Wu. “Who are you?” he demanded.

As he spoke, his eyes emitted a golden light, invisible to the naked eye and undetectable by true energy—his innate ability to see through thousands of miles, used to track prey and assess their strength. But the golden light was sucked into a black hole-like void, vanishing without any feedback.

Zi Sheng Wu smiled, “You don’t know me, but the person in your room does.”

“Quickly, summon all Underworld Sect disciples!” The man in black was now visibly nervous, unable to speak properly. Hearing the man claim to know the captive was troubling—this man must be formidable and likely here to rescue her.

“What is your relationship with her? Seems you came to save her, not to deliver treasures!” The man in black barked.

“No, no, she doesn’t need saving. I never lie. I truly brought a treasure, and it really can help you ascend!” Zi Sheng Wu laughed.

“You really won’t save her?” The man in black asked skeptically. Zi Sheng Wu only shook his head.

“Chirp chirp chirp, then where’s your treasure? Show it to me!” Hearing this, the man in black’s true nature surfaced.

“Here!” Zi Sheng Wu tossed the red cord with golden beads. The moment it left his hand, a dazzling beam burst forth, so bright the man in black could not keep his eyes open. When the light faded, the tiny golden beads on the red cord had expanded into a thick golden collar.

“What is this?” The man in black asked nervously.

“It’s called the Phantom God Whip!” Zi Sheng Wu said with a smile.

“What’s the common name?” The man in black asked.

“The common name is dog leash. You can use it to leash dogs, chickens, or birds. Oh, and it’s called the Phantom God Whip because it has two parts: the golden bell is one part; when worn by a pet, the owner can change the pet’s form at will, hence ‘phantom.’ The whip part means that even if I get hit by it, I’d be badly wounded—it’s very painful to be whipped.” Zi Sheng Wu explained.

“A fine treasure indeed!” The man in black’s eyes lit up. “How do I use it?”

“Simple—you put the golden collar around your neck.” Zi Sheng Wu stroked his beard and smiled.

Just then, Cheng Zong Lu and several disciples arrived, some flying, others running. Leading them, Cheng Zong Lu cupped his hands and asked, “Father, why did you urgently summon us?”

“Form the sect’s protective formation to face the enemy!” The man in black shouted.

The disciples immediately drew their swords and stood before him, facing Zi Sheng Wu with the celestial Northern Dipper step. In moments, the formation was complete.

Zi Sheng Wu looked at the formation, still with hands behind his back, laughing heartily, “Haha! Wen Yu Lu really had some talent. Back then, a casual tip from him allowed one to grasp some secrets of the Qimen Dunjia formation. With everyone’s strength combined, this formation can fight two ranks above and remain undefeated.”

“Who are you? How dare you call my great-grandfather’s name! And how do you know this formation?” Cheng Zong Lu exclaimed.

“Great-grandfather? Oh, seems my sense of time is getting fuzzy. It’s only been a few years since Wen Yu Lu died, and yet his great-grandson has grown so much! Haha!” Zi Sheng Wu laughed, then sighed heavily. “Ah, my master was right. The cruelest thing is the laws of heaven, suppressing the mortal realm so heavily. So many geniuses never achieve their destiny, falling like stars in the sky!”

“Enough of your tricks! We’ve tried this formation at full strength, and couldn’t break it! I don’t believe you can!” The man in black’s eyes darkened, teeth clenched. “No matter who you are, today you’ll die here!”

“Hahaha!” Zi Sheng Wu ignored him and muttered to himself, “Wen Yu Lu, you begged me to take you as a disciple three times back then. I refused. Today, I return that bow, giving your descendants a chance!” Then he slowly stepped forward. “Young men of the Lu family, your combined cultivation allows this Qimen Dunjia formation to fight two levels above, against Diamond Realm warriors. I, at Sky Realm, will break it! Watch closely—I’ll only perform this once!”