In recent days within the Yao race, everyone called Lu Li the Celestial Fox Saintess.
Some Qi Refining cultivators or ordinary Yao cultivators called her Celestial Fox Lady.
At first, Lu Li was not used to it.
But to maintain the disguise among the Yao, he accepted it.
As time passed, if someone called out “Lady” or “Saintess Su” by the roadside, he would quickly respond.
Then he would give a gentle smile in response.
But after this went on for a long time, Lu Li’s original dreams also gained some extra colors.
When busy, the dreams were of the entire Yao city and every place where the plan might go wrong.
But sometimes, the self in the dream was in the form of a young girl.
Walking on peaceful streets, figures flickered—sometimes Yao, sometimes humans.
But without exception, they addressed her as “miss” or “lady.”
When waking from such peaceful dreams, Lu Li would gaze at the person in the mirror and see the face of a young girl.
Letting out another long sigh, Lu Li closed his eyes and slowly began to circulate the Sword Zen.
The world fell into darkness; when it lit up again, Lu Li saw a slightly changed landscape.
Within the large sunken pit, there were now small paths and houses with smoke rising from their chimneys.
However, there were clearly no people inside—only the result of his own participation in construction during his days in Blackstone City.
So these images had also entered his heart.
“Master, do you have something on your mind?” Wan Wan noticed Lu Li’s turbulent emotions and now stood by his side, asking softly.
“Yes. Where is A Yi?” Lu Li looked at the familiar blacksmith shop, but the aged figure was not by the furnace.
“He is resting. Because Master, these past days… the time spent activating the Charm Spiritual Root has been longer. But Master, please rest assured—the Spiritual Root will never disappear.” Wan Wan spoke gently, but as Lu Li listened, his heart was complicated.
Because when Wan Wan did not use her seductive tone, her voice was somewhat similar to his own.
It was as if she were another self.
However, Sword Zen itself was a dialogue with one’s own heart and one’s own Spiritual Root.
The Spiritual Root itself was a part of oneself.
“Wan Wan, I am somewhat confused.” As Lu Li spoke, the nine fox tails behind him suddenly spread open. “I know that a Divine-grade Spiritual Root comes with its own power, but every time I activate the Charm Spiritual Root, this…”
“Master, a Divine-grade Charm Spiritual Root was originally only possessed by women.” Wan Wan was now sitting beside Lu Li, the two of them talking naturally like mother and daughter. “Although the Spiritual Root itself has no memory, your Heavenly Law Love Entanglement itself stirs a trace of the Heavenly Dao.”
“The world has the division of Yin and Yang, so your appearance, emotions, words, and actions are inevitably…”
“Yes… and recently I…”
“Master, that is merely the normal state of a female body. In another half month, it will return to normal.”
“I understand.”
Lu Li closed his eyes.
He had never before transformed into a female form for so long.
And this time, it had already been over a month.
Naturally, that meant he had a woman’s menarche.
When he woke, there was a dull ache in his lower abdomen, and his waist was also sore.
What was more troublesome was having to change the spiritual cloth used for menstruation.
That embarrassment and not knowing how to handle it was even harder for Lu Li to adapt to than the pain itself.
But this was precisely something he could not avoid.
“Master, please forgive my impertinence, but regardless of gender, you are still you.” Wan Wan’s words were gentle.
“The world inherently has Yin and Yang—that is simply the natural order. Just as clear light rises and turbid qi descends.”
“Within your body, Yang Qi rises and Yin Qi clings—both are ordinary aspects of the Heavenly Dao.”
“Of course I understand. It’s just a bit unfamiliar.” Lu Li let out a long sigh. “Thank you.”
“Master, what are you saying? We have always been a part of you.” Wan Wan smiled faintly at Lu Li.
For some reason, Lu Li felt that this smile was somewhat familiar.
With a slight stir of Divine Sense, the world before him instantly dissipated, and the original hall reappeared before his eyes.
On the table not far away, there was an extra document.
Judging from the still-wet ink stains, Liu Qingyun had already arrived and left the information from his investigation.
“There are still over 170 days. Let’s not think about this for now.” Lu Li breathed out a mouthful of turbid qi. “Now there are more important matters.”
He opened the document and carefully read the Yao race information recorded by Liu Qingyun. The originally vague plan in his heart became clear again.
Liu Qingyun’s investigation largely matched their previous speculations.
The Crocodile Tribe’s Red Mud City was not a monolithic entity.
First of all, such a city could not be completely self-sufficient; it inevitably had to go out to collect materials.
And it also had to trade with different cities.
For example, it had previously purchased Blackstone City’s most famous Thousand Day Drunk.
“Mainly grain, pills, and liquor will be purchased from Blackstone City. One reason is that Blackstone City is originally close to Human Territory, but recently due to my influence, the city has bought less of some important grain and pills.” Lu Li turned a page.
“But the Crocodile Tribe within the city cannot all abstain from eating, so recently they have been procuring grain from White Miasma City.”
“At the same time, large amounts of meat are also transported from more distant cities. The Crocodile Tribe can naturally eat carrion, so long-term transport is tolerable.”
“The most crucial point is the Putrid Swamp to the north. There, the Crocodile Tribe’s Elite Guard is stationed. From there, the spiritual rice needed by the Crocodile Tribe can be produced. After consuming it, the body secretes mucus that seeps into the mud, forming a unique grand array.” Lu Li closed the document and fell into contemplation.
“As long as time is spent, this information can be obtained. The Crocodile Tribe cannot conceal it at all. Moreover, with the rules of Blackstone City, even if the Crocodile Tribe sends Yao here, I cannot drive them away, or it will affect the original plan…”
“There are only a few ways they can try to crush Blackstone City, but the key matters have already been entrusted to Yuan He.” Lu Li quickly sorted through all the existing information in his mind.
“The defense of Blackstone City and the backup plans are all complete.”
“Alright, let’s set out.” After organizing his thoughts, Lu Li stood up and went to the courtyard.
“Are you all ready?” Liu Qingyun was currently meditating under the Wondrous Flowers and Herbs. “Earlier, you looked serious. We were worried.”
“It’s nothing. Just some minor issues with my cultivation technique. It won’t affect the plan much.” As Lu Li spoke, Yuan He and Liu Qingxi heard their conversation and came out from their respective rooms.
“Sister Lu, although you still have some worry on your face, it’s a bit better than before.” Liu Qingxi studied Lu Li’s features, then sniffed, a look of understanding appearing on her face.
“Your elder sister here does have some unique prescriptions. How about…”
“Then I’ll trouble you.” Lu Li sighed softly and nodded slightly at Liu Qingxi.
“What are you talking about?” Yuan He looked blankly at Liu Qingxi and Lu Li. “Is it part of the plan? Are we going to use poison?”
“Well… not really.” Lu Li watched as Liu Qingxi took out several medicine pouches for nourishing qi and blood from her Storage Ring and then put them into his own Storage Ring.
“Let’s go.”
Liu Qingyun seemed to understand in an instant, his expression turning serious.
“Miss Lu, if there really is something, you can leave it to us.”
“It’s fine. In a battlefield, such things are not a big deal.” Lu Li shook his head.
“The overall situation is more important.”
“Wait, what are you all saying? I don’t understand!” Yuan He watched everyone step onto their respective magical artifacts.
“Is it the plan? Or is my ignorance also part of the plan?”
“The temple really does not teach a lot of knowledge.” Lu Li couldn’t help but sigh.
“Because there’s no use for it.” Liu Qingyun showed a pitiful expression toward Yuan He.
“Then let’s not tell him.” As they flew, Liu Qingxi also studied Lu Li’s profile.
“Where are we going?”
“To do something I once disliked the most.” As Lu Li said this, he smiled wryly.
“What?”
“Highway robbery.”