“So this is a Foundation Establishment stage demon beast.” Yuan He wore a smile, but his body trembled slightly under the pressure.
“Demon beasts have a more chaotic and complex aura.” Ye Tingfeng explained from behind.
“But in the end, it’s still at Foundation Establishment.”
“Still, buying us some time shouldn’t be a problem.” Liu Qingyun released his hand, and his long sword floated in the air, a faint cyan aura swirling around it.
“Holy Maiden Lu, do you have any plans?”
“Two options.” Lu Li stepped onto her Light Gauze, rising into the air amid the gasps of the others, and hovered above the turtle’s head.
“Sister Lu, you can’t! Even if it’s a demon beast, they can still sense cultivation levels!” Meng Fang shouted.
“A Qi Refining cultivator flying above a Foundation Establishment demon beast is…”
“I know.” Lu Li looked down at the turtle slowly lowering its head, countless bubbles churning with each breath.
“But I want to test something.”
‘If I stop suppressing the Charm Technique’s influence on me…’ Lu Li closed her eyes and gradually released her control over the Charm Technique.
At the same time, surging True Qi in her Dantian traced the Spirit Pattern of the Nine-Tailed Fox again and again.
“Bewitch Heart!” With a soft cry, Lu Li’s voice carried a seductive tone she had never shown before.
The moment the words left her mouth, the nine fox tails behind her trembled, growing a full foot longer in the wind.
The faint, illusory image became increasingly distinct.
When she opened her eyes again, her pink irises held a unique brilliance.
This change agitated the turtle below. A human-like struggle and unease appeared in its gaze.
Water splashed, and a low roar rumbled from the turtle’s throat as it tried to lift its head and stare at the figure in the air.
“Annoying…” Lu Li narrowed her eyes and stared down at the turtle.
“Take this lady away from here.”
Her voice was gentle, yet brooked no dispute.
The turtle let out a much softer sound, then plunged its head deep into the water.
Bubbles surged.
The once towering shell began to sink, eventually leaving only a small platform in the center, just large enough for five people to stand.
“Everyone, please come up.” Lu Li stepped onto the Light Gauze and slowly descended to the center of the platform.
She sat down cross-legged, her fox tails flickering in and out of sight behind her.
“Um… Sister Lu?” Meng Fang’s wrist trembled as she looked at Lu Li.
“It’s me. I just used a unique technique from our sect—the Charm Technique.” A faint smile played on Lu Li’s lips.
“Come on up, everyone.”
No one answered.
But one by one, they quietly stepped onto the platform.
“Let’s go.” Lu Li tapped the turtle’s shell lightly.
Foam spread, currents churned. With a slight sway, the turtle carried them slowly through the water toward the extraction point.
“Holy Maiden Lu, was that… the Celestial Fox Dharma Manifestation?” Liu Qingyun finally asked, after the Foundation Establishment turtle had smashed straight through the light barrier and picked up the exhausted Shen Zhaoxue and Jiang Yuebai.
“Perhaps.” Lu Li let out a turbid breath, watching the extraction point draw near.
“And Fellow Daoist Ye, Junior Sister Meng, after this ends, I’ll need you to come back to our sect with me.”
“…Yes, we understand.” Ye Tingfeng took the lead. “We will allow your sect to inspect our memories.”
“Yes… Sister Lu.” Meng Fang hesitated for a moment, then nodded.
The seven figures stepped onto the glowing teleportation array, and in an instant, they vanished into the air.
Only the old turtle remained, circling the spot for a while before eventually returning to the lake and slowly sinking.
And so, the annual Foundation Building Trial Competition came to an end.
The one who ultimately claimed first place was the Saintess of the Yin Yang Sect, who single-handedly used strategy to eliminate over five hundred people.
Her name even began to circulate slowly across the three domains and one continent beyond the Southern Region.
“Why is it that every time you make a move, you end up stirring up so much trouble?” Lin Yin looked at Lu Li, who was sitting primly in the small courtyard.
Her dignified demeanor was a complete contrast to the person who had slipped laxatives and anesthetics to hundreds of people.
“The three from Beast Gate—their memories have been lightly modified. In their minds, you solved everything with your Charm Technique… which isn’t far off, I suppose.”
“The Imperial Sword Sect and the Buddhist Light Sect have no issues. Their Saint Son and Buddha Son each have their own little secrets. Your exposing yourself like that actually made them trust you more.” Lin Yin let out another long sigh.
“This battle of yours has really put our Yin Yang Sect on the map. Now people are a bit scared of us…”
“Venerable Master… forgive my impertinence.” Su Wanqiu bowed slightly and took over the conversation.
“Lu Li’s schemes were indeed a bit excessive, but from another angle, they have fully established the reputation of the Yin Yang Sect. It will make those petty villains think twice before daring to test or offend us again. I believe you must have considered this as well.”
“…True. Ever since the previous Saintess fell, the shadows of the past hundred years should finally thin out a little.” Lin Yin turned to Lu Li, who was still bowing her head.
“And why are you so quiet today?”
“True Master Lin, I’ve been pondering something.” Lu Li clasped her hands and bowed.
“I was wondering if you could examine my spirit soul.”
“Hmm? I don’t recall any poisonous insects that could damage the spirit soul being placed in the secret realm.” Lin Yin hurried over to Lu Li upon hearing this, grabbed her hand, and performed a simple examination.
“…There’s no problem. Did you see some kind of illusion?”
“It’s like this: I used the Imperial Sword Sect’s artifact to enter the Sword Tower.” Lu Li recounted truthfully.
“For the first time, I experienced the separation of my spirit soul and physical body.”
“Ah, no wonder.” Su Wanqiu nodded in sudden understanding. “You’re worried they didn’t recombine properly.”
“No… it’s not that. After I entered the Sword Tower, my spirit soul was…” Lu Li bit her lip, her expression dazed.
“It was… female…”
“What’s wrong with being female? You were already a wo—oh, right!” Lin Yin stopped mid-sentence as she realized that the female disciple before her had once been a man.
“Yes, that’s what’s confusing me.” Lu Li’s face was full of bitterness. “Could it be that after spending so long in the Yin Yang Sect, even my spirit soul has changed?”
“That shouldn’t be the case. Lu Li, you lived as a man for eighteen years. It’s unlikely your spirit soul was originally in a female form.” Su Wanqiu offered.
“I think so too… Besides, the artifact the Imperial Sword Sect left in the secret realm was already damaged… Sigh, that doesn’t explain it either.” Lin Yin studied Lu Li.
With her lightly furrowed brows and slightly pursed cherry lips, she truly looked nothing like a man anymore.
“And you’re still only at Qi Refining. Your spirit soul and physical body can’t be separated yet. Even if I wanted to examine it, there’s no way.”
“Unless, Lu Li, you reach the Golden Core stage. Then you can look inward and see what your spirit soul really looks like.” Su Wanqiu added.
“Or there are some cultivation techniques and artifacts in the world that could…”
“The Imperial Sword Sect’s Sword Zen. But that depends on spiritual root and talent. You could try it.” As Lin Yin spoke, Lu Li raised her head, hope flickering in her eyes.
“Another option: when you reach Foundation Establishment, go to the Northern Domain. They have a Mind-Viewing Mirror there, used to check for Yao Race infiltrators. It can roughly examine your spirit soul.”
“Then I’ll start cultivating right now and aim to reach Foundation Establishment immediately!”
“Don’t rush. Before you break through to Foundation Establishment,” Lin Yin waved her hand, “we need to figure out what exactly is going on with that… peculiar Charm Technique of yours.”
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