Chapter 81: The Advancing Yu Suzhen

After using the Ten Thousand Spirits Banner to subjugate the black-robed ghost, Lu Yang did not linger, immediately summoning a teleportation light to depart, preparing to begin his ghost-hunting endeavors.

"The immediate priority is to gather large numbers of fierce ghosts to complete this Dark Lord's Soul-Collecting Position."

"Also, the cultivation of the 【Severing Thought, Seeing Myself Silk Secret】 must be prioritized, and as for Yu Suzhen—how is her progress?"

"If everything goes smoothly, I will gather the Qi of Zheng San Pin, steal the Sage's power, forge the position of a Corpse-Release Immortal, then cultivate the Severing Thought, Seeing Myself Silk Secret, obtain the Dark Lord's Soul-Collecting Position, and afterward drain Yu Suzhen with the Art of Stealing Heaven's Mechanism—only then will my chances of breaking through to Foundation Establishment reach sixty percent."

Thinking of this, Lu Yang furrowed his brow.

Six tenths is still not enough— if I could acquire the Ascension Token from True Person Yinshan, seven tenths might be worth a real gamble.

"The Ascension Token isn't without opportunity."

If I can control the Witch Ghost Secret Realm and resolve the Jin Dan sword qi problem, perhaps I can trade it with True Person Yinshan for that Ascension Token.

"Even so, I must plan carefully."

Lu Yang knew well—he was no insider of the Sanhe Alliance this lifetime; rather than trade with him, the Saint Sect's custom was to kill him and seize his gains outright.

"Perhaps I can get Yu Suzhen to find a way."

Thinking of this, Lu Yang immediately directed his avatar to hide in a desolate wilderness, then withdrew his consciousness to observe Yu Suzhen's situation.

Chu Sheng Sect, Connecting Heaven's Cloud Sea.

Yu Suzhen had long been forged by Lu Yang into the Cauldron of Stealing Heaven's Mechanism, their karmic ties profound—thus, divination required no effort, and he soon sensed her location.

Buxian Peak, a cave mansion of the Sanhe Alliance.

Inside and outside the cave mansion, crowds thronged, bustling with disciples of the Sanhe Alliance lavishing flattering praise upon a young man.

"Congratulations, Brother Luo, on attaining Great Divine Power—Foundation Establishment is within reach!"

"In the future, please lend Brother Luo your guidance."

"Brother Luo, do you remember? I once treated you to a meal."

At the banquet, Luo Wuya's face remained calm, but his heart swelled with satisfaction—he was still young, and achieving Great Divine Power proved his future potential for Foundation Establishment.

Thinking of this, Luo Wuya's spirit surged with ambition:

'Big Brother has gone ahead, achieving True Person status—I may yet surpass him!'

At that moment, a commotion erupted outside the door, followed by someone exclaiming in astonishment and awe: "The Su Zhen Immortal has arrived!"

The next instant, a graceful figure entered the cave mansion.

Her exquisite, beautiful face, her curvaceous yet upright figure, paired with her icy demeanor and Qi Condensation Sixth Layer cultivation, made her appear like a proud, frost-clad snow lotus—yet one could not help imagining what passion might lie beneath this cold, aloof exterior.

"What a beautiful woman."

Many gazed at Yu Suzhen, their eyes filled with admiration.

"No wonder she's called Su Zhen Immortal—less than a year since joining, her cultivation has surged forward; she's only one breakthrough away from becoming a late-stage Qi Condensation cultivator."

"Su Zhen greets Brother Luo."

Yu Suzhen stepped forward with measured grace, bowing slightly—her conduct was proper, devoid of any seductive allure, yet her dignified poise only stoked deeper longing.

"Sister Yu, you're too kind."

Luo Wuya smiled contentedly—Yu Suzhen was well-known on Buxian Peak, reclusive and rarely socializing; for her to accept his invitation to this banquet truly flattered his vanity and deepened his fondness for this junior sister.

"And Brother Zhao, Sister Qinghe."

Turning, Yu Suzhen bowed to Zhao Xuhe beside Luo Wuya, her gaze sweeping over Qinghe Immortal who had come with him.

"Brother Lu as well—I thank both of you for your care."

She then turned to Lu Yuanchun, fellow disciple of the Buxian Peak Master, meeting his eyes briefly before quickly looking away as if nothing had happened.

Soon, the banquet began.

In moments, crowds gathered around both Luo Wuya and Yu Suzhen—some drawn by greed, others by lust—quickly heating the atmosphere.

Naturally, this drew Luo Wuya's attention.

He himself stood at the center of attention, adept at handling such flatterers; now he was curious how Yu Suzhen would respond.

When he looked at her, he saw that though still cold and distant, she was not so haughty as to provoke resentment—her conduct was poised, her responses measured; she acknowledged everyone, speaking as if warmly familiar, yet the next moment she turned to another with equal ease.

In short—it was manipulation.

Yet none in attendance sensed this manipulation—even if they did, they'd assume she was manipulating them because she favored them.

Poor junior brothers, played like puppets by this woman.

Luo Wuya shook his head, yet an odd feeling stirred within him—for the entire banquet, Yu Suzhen had never once approached him personally.

She truly seemed the type: cold, proud, devoted solely to cultivation.

'An interesting woman.'

As dusk fell, the banquet ended. Yu Suzhen approached Luo Wuya, still composed and dignified, bowing deeply:

"The night grows late; Su Zhen must return to cultivation. I take my leave."

Luo Wuya chuckled softly: "You've worked hard, Sister. You're usually so focused on cultivation—this evening must have been taxing for you."

"... Brother knows this well."

Yu Suzhen lifted her head—her previously icy expression suddenly softened, her brows relaxing as she gave Luo Wuya a half-irritated, half-playful glare, speaking with a tone of mild complaint.

This tone, this expression—utterly unlike the frosty pride she'd shown at the banquet—was like ice melting in an instant, revealing a sudden, radiant beauty that even Luo Wuya's heart leapt at, a thrill rising within him as if he'd glimpsed the hidden face of a cold immortal.

Yet soon, Luo Wuya regained his composure.

He laughed heartily: "... Then it's my fault. Very well—if you ever have questions in your cultivation, feel free to come ask me anytime."

"Then thank you, Brother."

Hearing this, Yu Suzhen's face lit with genuine delight; she nodded solemnly, then turned and departed amid the admiring gazes of all present.

Seeing this, Zhao Xuhe nearby suddenly flickered his gaze.

Soon, he brought Qinghe Immortal over to bid farewell to Luo Wuya; Luo Wuya outwardly accepted, but inwardly stirred with suspicion.

The next instant, he split off a spiritual awareness to silently follow Zhao Xuhe as he left.

After Zhao Xuhe left his cave abode, he first sent away Immortal Qinghe, who had still been preparing to discuss the Dao with her, then found a hidden place to conceal himself.

He then took out an invisibility talisman to mask his figure, and made his way all the way to Yu Suzhen's cave abode. After checking the secret signal on the door, he quietly slipped inside. The moment he entered, he immediately saw a graceful figure seated before a dressing table, her jade-smooth back utterly captivating.

Zhao Xuhe's heart-flame surged instantly, and he stepped forward.

"Suzhen."

"Mm~~"

Yu Suzhen lifted her slender, elegant neck and let out a sigh that could not be told as resignation or acceptance, yet she allowed Zhao Xuhe to fondle her as he pleased.

In an instant, the two of them set the entire secluded chamber of the cave abode ablaze.

Zhao Xuhe thought of Yu Suzhen's cold, aloof appearance at the banquet, and then of her passion right before his eyes, and felt he had inexhaustible strength.

After a long while, the two gradually stopped.

On the couch, Yu Suzhen clung to Zhao Xuhe and whispered, "Xuhe. I don't want to wait any longer. Can the relationship between us really never be made public?"

"Suzhen, I too have a secret I cannot speak of."

Zhao Xuhe shook his head without saying more, and casually fobbed her off with a few words. The truth was simple enough — it was simply because the Peak Master of Butian Peak had arranged a marriage for him, and it was precisely with the Peak Master's own daughter. In such circumstances, how could he possibly have a Dao companion? So it could only be a secret affair.

Thinking of this, Zhao Xuhe even felt a trace of guilt.

After all, Yu Suzhen was so innocent, yet here he was deceiving her like this.

The two lingered together for a long while more before Zhao Xuhe reluctantly took his leave. Before departing, he even left Yu Suzhen some pills for her cultivation.

Watching Zhao Xuhe leave, Yu Suzhen gradually put away the seductive look on her face, then hid the pills away, and immediately afterward took out a jade slip.

After she inputted a line of information into the jade slip, another moment passed.

*Thump, thump-thump, thump. *

The prearranged secret knock came from outside the door. Yu Suzhen hurried to open it, and in a short while a figure darted in and swept her up around the waist.

"No! Senior Brother Lu, I'm not that kind of person—"

"What do you mean 'no,' you fake-pious slut. I knew all along you still had lingering feelings for Zhao Xuhe. Don't forget you still have a handle on me in my hands."

"Wuu wuu wuu—"

Another two-plus hours passed.

Lu Yuanchun departed satisfied, while Yu Suzhen lay on the bed silently weeping. But the next instant, a set of unhurried footsteps suddenly sounded from behind her.

Yu Suzhen turned her head in astonishment, and looking at the figure that had suddenly appeared behind her, a flash of "plan-succeeding" triumph crossed her beautiful eyes, though on her face she let out a startled cry:

"Senior Brother Luo!?"

Lu Yang withdrew his gaze and fell into a deep silence. Only after a long while did he sigh with feeling:

"What a piece of talent, truly."

Even he could never have imagined that in just these few months, Yu Suzhen would have achieved such tremendous success in her... superhuman career.

He couldn't understand it, but he was deeply shaken.

(End of chapter)