Chapter 647

The wisp of chaotic energy swirling in the Ancestor of Temptation’s hand began to dissipate, all its cluttered elements swiftly “stripped” and “separated.”

Only seconds later, the once chopstick-thick wisp of chaotic energy had shrunk to near-invisibility, even a Dao-combined being struggling to detect the faintest shadow.

Formless and intangible, a fleeting presence born of “clutter” and “doubt,” capable of stirring boundless doubts and anxieties in mortals.

Ning Ruo glanced at the peculiar shadow she had extracted from it:

“What do you think? Should this be mentioned to Brother Xu?”

If the emergence of the Dao Source truly affects the entire Chaotic Sea, then whether or not the one who touches it knows of this, it may still influence the toucher themselves.

Should we let it unfold naturally, allowing it to evolve on its own?

Or should we inform Xu Xing and interfere with this process…

“…”

The Ancestor of Temptation did not answer immediately, but observed carefully for a long while before finally sighing.

“I don’t know.”

She had indeed observed the true “Dao Confusion” upon Brother Dao’s unguarded mind, but that doesn’t mean she could discern its problems!

The Dao Source…

She herself was still far from understanding it!

“Let me study it further and see if I can uncover something.”

“Alright.” Ning Ruo nodded slightly.

She never expected the Ancestor of Temptation to instantly spot the issue.

“Alright, alright, I’ll be off then.” The Ancestor of Temptation clasped her hands and sealed away the wisp of shadow.

Beside her, Bie Xuening suddenly spoke:

“Huo has also visited the Chaotic Sea recently. Could he have noticed this change?”

The Ancestor of Temptation blinked:

“What? You plan to silence him?”

Bie Xuening stared at her expressionlessly.

“Oh come on! Don’t worry—Huo’s Dao bears great similarity to ‘Dao Confusion.’ At this stage, he won’t notice a thing.”

Huo is the Immortal of “Doubt, Clutter, and Confusion”; what he sees, all worlds become confused, chaos turns to doubt.

Every living being carries doubt within, and the current changes in the Chaotic Sea are still exceedingly faint—plus, his cultivation isn’t even high among True Immortals…

In short, he cannot possibly detect it yet.

But if the Chaotic Sea’s changes continue, that may no longer hold true.

“I’m really leaving now!” The Ancestor of Temptation reverted to her frivolous self, grinning. “Or if you’re reluctant to let me go, I could accompany you back to the Sword Sect!”

“…Go away.”

“Tsk tsk! So heartless.”

The Ancestor of Temptation pouted, yet didn’t truly care—over the years, she had thoroughly learned the Sword Lord’s habit of clinging to pride while feigning aloofness.

She was about to rise and leave.

But as she stood, she seemed to recall something.

“By the way, should we tell Yuanjun about this?”

Hm?

Both women turned to her, their eyes filled with puzzlement.

“The more people who know, the greater the chance of influencing the Chaotic Sea’s changes. For now, let’s observe quietly,” Ning Ruo said.

“Agreed,” Bie Xuening added coolly.

“Mm-hmm.” The Ancestor of Temptation nodded vigorously. “Makes sense. Let’s not tell her for now.”

“Not tell anyone else,” Ning Ruo corrected.

Had the Ancestor of Temptation not, before arriving, randomly sent a message to the Sword Lord out of some strange impulse, she had originally intended to conceal even him.

Yet she insisted it was only right to hide it from Brother Xu…

“Close enough.” The Ancestor of Temptation waved her hand. “Now I’m truly leaving!”

As she spoke, a wisp of crimson mist scattered—and the Ancestor of Temptation vanished with it.

Seeing this, Bie Xuening had no reason to stay; she rose from her seat.

“I’m leaving too.”

With a simple remark, she prepared to depart Lingyin Pavilion and return to the Sword Sect.

“Wait,” Ning Ruo called out.

Hm?

More?

As she turned back in confusion, she saw two boxes of Xuanzhu Fruit appear on the table.

Exquisite quality, plump and round.

“Since you helped me today, these two boxes of Xuanzhu Fruit are for your two disciples—consider it payment for your trouble.”

Bie Xuening: “…”

She always felt something was off about that sentence, but couldn’t pinpoint why.

She glanced at the Xuanzhu Fruit.

She remembered how, shortly after that traitor returned from Lingyin Pavilion, he would often praise the Ling Ancestor before her.

He’d even cultivated a Xuanzhu Fruit tree!

Clearly, he’d been bribed.

And now…

Had bribing that traitor not been enough? Was she now trying to bribe Xiao Yunlu too?

After a pause, Bie Xuening collected the two boxes of Xuanzhu Fruit and left Lingyin Pavilion without another word.

…

…

In the afternoon, the sunlight was just right.

Inside Chi Jiuyu’s cave within the Sword Sect’s inner sect.

Chi Jiuyu sat on the floor, sprawled face-down on the cool tabletop, idly twirling a purple jade talisman brush.

Around her lay a pile of completed Sword Qi Talismans.

Each talisman contained a sharpness so terrifying, even ordinary Soul Transformation cultivators could not withstand it.

Opposite her sat Zhang Yunlu, once again confined to her wheelchair, wrapped like a rice dumpling, looking utterly miserable.

No need to guess—she’d clearly just returned from a mission, as usual.

As the Sword Lord’s second disciple and the one who comprehended the Principle of Danger.

Every time she returned from a mission, losing an arm or leg counted as minor injury!

“Sister, aren’t you drawing anymore?”

“No rush—the deadline for delivery is still far off,” Chi Jiuyu mumbled.

After returning from the Supreme Dao Sect, she’d created an account on a talisman artist exchange platform, hoping to take on some orders to earn pocket money while practicing talisman arts.

She hadn’t expected much.

After all, though Ninth Fish Ancestor possessed peerless talent, not everyone had the “wise eyes” to recognize her brilliance.

And the main problem was—who would hire a talisman novice…

Over time, she’d simply forgotten about it.

Until recently, someone suddenly placed a massive order: “Three Thousand Sword Qi Talismans,” paying double the market rate!

Undoubtedly, someone had recognized her identity as the number one prodigy of the Ten Thousand Worlds!

Given how monumental this was—the first step toward her path of wealth and fish—Chi Jiuyu had been incredibly motivated at first!

She stayed up three straight nights, crafting thirteen hundred Sword Qi Talismans.

Each one was meticulously refined, a masterpiece among masterpieces!

But precisely because of her rigorous diligence, after three sleepless nights, her spirit was severely drained—she lay motionless for a full day and night before recovering…

After that, she felt utterly burned out, her enthusiasm for the order greatly diminished.

Especially today, when she’d just received a hefty errand fee from her uncle—half again more than the entire order’s payment…

Compared to that, she had even less desire to continue making Sword Qi Talismans.

What future is there in talisman arts? Better to run errands for Uncle.

Even the crumbs he lets slip from his fingers are enough to keep her well-fed!

“Little Yunlu, have you thought about what you’ll cultivate when you grow up?”

Chi Jiuyu sat up slightly, pinning the brush between her lips, propping her chin on both hands to gaze across.

“Not yet. When I reach Soul Transformation, I’ll think carefully. If possible, I hope I’ll have a talent for pill refining.”

After all, in their circle, besides Zhao Ruohan as an exception, Lin Xuanxuan and Ye Zhiwei—the two pill refiners—were the richest.